India - Common Property Resources and Village Facilities, January - June 1998, NSS 54th Round

Wells, i.e. dug wells, are extensively used as main source of drinking water in many areas of the country. The wells are owned by communities as well as individual households. Community wells are built and maintained by the local village community. All the community wells, whether locally or government funded, within the boundary of the village will be counted for this item.

Stepwells, found mostly in Rajasthan and Gujarat, will be treated as wells for this block. Moreover, surangams -- horizontal tunnels dug through hillocks for seepage water -- found in the hills of northern Kerala will also be treated as wells. These will be counted for this item if they are mainly used for potable water. However, temporary wells dug in the beds of dry river, canal and lakes ( in severe drought situations) or the wells located at the bottom of ponds and tanks will not be counted for this item.