Mapping Water, Hygiene & Sanitation Conditions Across Slums, Villages and RWAs in Noida
A comprehensive WASH baseline survey across 30 communities for WASH Institute — completed ahead of the 15-day deadline.
Executive Summary
The WASH Institute, a leading non-profit organisation working to improve water, hygiene and sanitation conditions in India, commissioned a comprehensive field survey across 30 communities in Noida, Uttar Pradesh.
The study covered 10 Slums, 10 Villages and 10 Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs).
The objective was to assess and compare water usage, hygiene and sanitation conditions, understand the Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAPs) of residents, and generate actionable insights for planning future social interventions in underserved communities.
Brisk Olive was engaged to design and execute the survey within a highly compressed 15-day timeframe. The assignment required extensive field mobilisation, personal interviews, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), photographic documentation, data validation and analysis.
Despite challenging field conditions, including difficult slum environments and resistance from some respondents, Brisk Olive completed the survey, conducted quality audits and submitted the final report ahead of schedule, enabling WASH Institute to provide the required information to its donor and plan subsequent interventions.
Client Requirement
WASH Institute required a rapid but rigorous field study to provide its donor agency with reliable data for planning interventions aimed at improving water, hygiene and sanitation conditions in Noida.
- Assess water, hygiene and sanitation conditions.
- Compare conditions across slums, villages and RWAs.
- Understand community-level Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAPs).
- Capture both quantitative and qualitative information.
- Identify areas requiring intervention.
- Provide actionable recommendations.
- Complete the entire exercise within 15 days.
Survey Scope
The survey covered 30 locations across Noida, involving interactions with multiple stakeholder groups including slum residents, villagers, village heads, RWA residents and RWA committee members. Both individual interviews and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were conducted.
| Community Type | Number Covered |
|---|---|
| Slums | 10 |
| Villages | 10 |
| RWAs | 10 |
| Total | 30 |
Key Project Challenges
Tight Timeline
The complete survey, analysis and reporting exercise had to be completed within 15 days to meet the donor's intervention-planning schedule.
Diverse Respondent Groups
Data had to be collected from different types of communities and stakeholders, each requiring an appropriate approach to engagement and questioning.
Challenging Field Conditions
Field teams had to work in difficult environments, including densely populated slum areas with poor sanitation conditions.
Respondent Resistance
Some field locations involved difficult respondent interactions, requiring trained and experienced field personnel to build trust and obtain accurate responses.
Multiple Data Collection Methods
The survey required personal interviews, Focus Group Discussions, quantitative data collection, KAP assessment and photographic documentation.
Data Accuracy
Given that the findings would be used to plan social interventions, accuracy in sampling, questioning, recording and validation was critical.
Service Level Requirements
Brisk Olive was responsible for delivering the following:
- 1Design the survey questionnaire.
- 2Develop the survey methodology and sampling approach.
- 3Obtain client approval for the methodology.
- 4Conduct a pilot survey.
- 5Refine the questionnaire and methodology based on pilot findings.
- 6Conduct physical field surveys.
- 7Conduct personal interviews and FGDs.
- 8Assess community-level Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAPs).
- 9Capture photographic evidence.
- 10Complete fieldwork within 15 days.
- 11Conduct quality checks and test audits.
- 12Compile and analyse the collected data.
- 13Identify key findings and trends.
- 14Develop actionable recommendations.
- 15Prepare and submit a comprehensive report.
Survey Methodology & Process
Survey Planning
The project team undertook detailed planning, including Poker Planning, resource allocation, scheduling and field deployment.
Questionnaire Design
A structured questionnaire was developed covering water access and usage, hygiene practices, sanitation facilities, community conditions, knowledge, attitudes, practices and key challenges.
Pilot Survey
A pilot survey was conducted to test questionnaire clarity, respondent understanding, survey methodology, field procedures and data collection process. Findings were used to make necessary corrections.
Methodology Finalisation
The questionnaire, sampling methodology and survey process were finalised following the pilot and submitted to the client for approval.
Field Survey
Trained field teams conducted physical surveys across identified locations including personal interviews, Focus Group Discussions, stakeholder interactions, quantitative data collection, KAP assessment and photographic documentation.
Quality Assurance
A test audit was conducted to validate field data and identify potential errors or inconsistencies.
Data Compilation
Collected data was systematically compiled and consolidated for analysis.
Data Analysis
The data was analysed to identify community-level trends, differences between slums, villages and RWAs, key WASH gaps, behavioural patterns and priority intervention areas.
Recommendations
The findings were converted into practical recommendations to support the planning of future social interventions.
Reporting
A comprehensive report containing findings, visualisations, data summaries and recommendations was prepared and submitted to WASH Institute.
Technology & Tools
Technology was used extensively to improve the speed, accuracy and transparency of the survey. The combination of field manpower and technology enabled real-time visibility into survey progress while supporting systematic data management.
| Technology / Tool | Application |
|---|---|
| Android Mobile App | Field data collection |
| Google Forms | Surveys and structured data capture |
| MS Project | Project planning and management |
| GIS Web Application | Geographic tracking and survey progress monitoring |
| Power BI | Data analysis and visualisation |
| Balsamiq Mockups | User-interface/workflow design |
| Git Repository | Version control |
| Trac | Issue and ticket management |
Quality Assurance Framework
Given the importance of the findings for donor-funded intervention planning, Brisk Olive incorporated multiple quality-control mechanisms.
Results & Outcomes
The survey was successfully completed, audited and reported ahead of schedule. The survey data was made available to WASH Institute in time for submission to its donor agency and for planning subsequent interventions.
30 Communities Surveyed
10 Slums, 10 Villages, 10 RWAs
15-Day Delivery Met
Completed and reported ahead of schedule
Actionable Reporting
Graphs, infographics, data summaries, comparative analysis and recommendations
Social Impact
The survey provided WASH Institute with the evidence base required to:
- Identify critical WASH gaps.
- Compare conditions across different community types.
- Identify priority areas.
- Understand community-level practices.
- Design targeted social interventions.
- Support donor discussions with evidence-based findings.
Project Impact
The assignment demonstrated the ability to execute rapid, technology-enabled social research at the community level, even in challenging field environments.
Combined to deliver a reliable evidence base for social-impact planning.
Brisk Olive's Role
Brisk Olive provided end-to-end support for the survey, including:
About Brisk Olive
Brisk Olive helps organisations execute large-scale projects through one of India's largest operational field forces of 23,000+ ex-defence professionals deployed across all 741 districts of India. The organisation combines experienced manpower with technology-enabled project management to deliver complex, geographically distributed assignments.
Our USP
Brisk Olive's key strength is its large, experienced and process-oriented field force. Our professionals are carefully selected, with extensive operational experience.
Selected Experience
Brisk Olive has worked with MNCs, government organisations, PSUs, non-profits and social-impact organisations.
Surveys, Research & Audits
- IFFCO
- Lattice Solutions
- ISC
- DDF Consultants
- FMCG and MNC clients
Social Impact & Turnkey Projects
- Hans Foundation
- Crimson Energy
- LeadsConnect
Marketing & Events
- Katha
- ArtKonnect
Training & Skill Development
- Nettur Technical Training Foundation (NTTF)
Project at a Glance
| Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Client | WASH Institute |
| Location | Noida, Uttar Pradesh |
| Survey Type | Water, Hygiene & Sanitation |
| Slums Covered | 10 |
| Villages Covered | 10 |
| RWAs Covered | 10 |
| Total Communities | 30 |
| Delivery Requirement | 15 days |
| Methodology | Interviews + FGDs + KAP Assessment |
| Evidence | Photographic documentation |
| Quality Control | Pilot + Test Audit + Validation |
| Technology | Mobile App, GIS, Google Forms, Power BI |
| Final Output | Detailed Survey Report + Recommendations |
| Outcome | Completed & reported ahead of schedule |
Key Takeaway
The WASH Institute survey demonstrated Brisk Olive's ability to execute rapid, high-quality and technology-enabled field research across diverse communities.
Within a highly compressed timeline, Brisk Olive successfully surveyed 30 communities across slums, villages and RWAs in Noida, combining quantitative research, qualitative interviews, FGDs, photographic evidence and data analytics. The resulting evidence and recommendations enabled WASH Institute and its donor agency to make better-informed decisions regarding targeted water, hygiene and sanitation interventions.
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