Terms of Reference for geo-hydrology study to identify potential for implementation for watershed development in Darwha Block, Dist. Yavatmal, Maharashtra.
A. About Water For People
Water For People India Trust (hereafter referred to as Water For People India) is a public charitable trust registered in 2008 under the Indian Trust Act, 1882. The Trust is recognized as a charitable non-profit institution under Section 12AA of the Income Tax Act, 1962. The organizational goal is to design and implement initiatives relating to improving the quality of life of those most in need by providing funding and training for water, sanitation and health and hygiene programs.
Water For People India’s key approach for access to Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation is ‘Everyone Forever’ approach that aligns to SDG 6 and the overarching partnership goal – SDG 17. The Everyone Forever model is a district-centered approach that includes completing water systems, sanitation facilities in schools and clinics, and supporting the private sector to ensure that Everyone – even the hardest to reach household, school, and health clinic – gains access to improved water, sanitation, and hygiene.
Water For People India programs has implemented in 28 districts in the states of West Bengal, Bihar, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, and Assam. In all, nearly 1.5 million people have been reached through our intervention focusing on community drinking water and sanitation: Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in public institutions and market-led approaches to sanitation. By 2023, Water for People India programs aims to directly benefit 2.7 million people.
B. Brief
As an element of the program Water For People India Trust (WFPIT) seeks to engage individual or organization as a consultant (hereafter call the ‘consultant’) to conduct detailed geohydrological study and develop design and estimate of the identified new and existing structures (water harvesting and recharge) as per the ToR.
C. Terms of Reference
Geographical coverage – 15 villages in Darwha block of Yavatmal district. To provide separately, village-wise details as selected in the project.
During the summer months, the source from which water is lifted and used by the villages for daily use as well as for agriculture gets dry, thereby creating water shortages. WFPIT has already identified such villages. The work to be carried out is primarily for soil and water conservation in a way that it helps in reducing water scarcity both for drinking and agriculture, especially during the summer months. The agency requires to undertake the following –
- Delineate watershed boundaries, watershed classification (calculation of drainage density, bifurcation ratio, stream density), develop watershed boundary map along with drainage line, aquifer map, water level fluctuations (seasonal), develop water accumulation & water recharge zone maps (groundwater potential zone map), geological map, lithology map, analysis of historical rainfall by integrating the water level fluctuation, water balance estimation (demand and availability), LUCL map, current water requirement (agriculture, domestic and drinking)
- Superimpose the developed map for better identification of the water harvesting and recharge structures available in water accumulation and water recharge zones.
- Develop recommendation (type of structures can be constructed) for construction of water harvesting and recharge structures in the watershed area for the source strengthening.
- Develop village-wise technical design and estimate for all new structure and those structures which require repairs.
D. Deliverables
- The following final deliverables must be submitted to Water For People in editable Microsoft Excel and Word format.
- Draft a report elaborating the potential of implementing watershed development with a ridge to valley approach detailing village wise LULC, total area that can be brought under treatment, etc. in the watershed area/villages.
- Develop the water recharge and harvesting potential zone map for the constriction ow water harvesting and recharge structures.
- Submit colour maps depicting the areas demarked as per soil and water conservation treatments; list of observation wells for well monitoring as per upper, middle and lower catchment area, which will help in estimating the impact of water conservation and recharge work.
- Final report, data collection tools, incorporating WFPIT’s feedback on the draft report and tools.
E. TIMELINE
- ToR Issued on December 15, 2025
- Proposal submitted no longer than December 25, 2025
- Winning of proposal selected: December 31, 2025
- Contract signed: January 4, 2026
- Begin work/Kick-off meeting: January 5, 2026
- Draft report: February 20, 2026
- Final report: February 28, 2026
F. QUALIFICATION
The consultant must meet following minimum qualification:
- Minimum 5 years of sector-specific experience implementing water-related projects.
- Expertise in developing design and estimate of water harvesting and recharge structures based on detailed surveys.
- Expertise and experience in implementing tools needed to conduct geo-hydrological analysis.
- Thorough grasp of core concepts and innovative practices relevant to analyzing data and information.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to convey results effectively.
- A combination of relevant local experience within India and international experience.
G. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Interested consultants must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the service, along with cost information.
Proposal must be submitted via email to m.x.langde@waterforpeople.org with cc kumar@waterforpeople.org ; hpinjan@waterforpeople.org to with “Title of the assignment: Develop design and estimation of source strengthening structures (recharge and water harvesting structures) based on detailed survey and geohydrological study/mapping.”
The proposal must include
- An expression of interest letter, with detailed name, contact person and contact details (1 page).
- Narrative piece, that outlines the vision for the work along with suggested methodology, workplan and other technical inputs for the assignment (maximum 2 pages).
- Description of qualifications (maximum 4 pages).
- Three references who can speak to Consultant’s successful completion of similar work.
- Cost information. The Consultant should submit a detailed cost proposal in Indian Rupees including professional fee, travel and lodging expenses, along with any relevant taxes for the activities defined above in the scope of work.
H. QUESTIONS
Questions can be submitted in an email to kumar@waterforpeople.org with query – Watershed Survey-Darwha
