The operational area of Sampark is a rain deficient area with about 75 cm annual rain fall. The area is hilly, uneven and devoid of vegetation. As a result water flows down to low lying areas and eventually wasted. Ground water is available only if one goes 150 m to 200 m. As a result, there is not only shortage of irrigation water round the year, but also the area suffers from drinking water crisis, especially for five months from February to June.

Rain water harvesting is a successful technique for conserving rain water for difficult times. Sampark made a beginning in this direction in 1999 with the construction of a round-shaped water tank of 3.5 lakh litres at the cost of Rs 1.25 lakh. Rain water from the roofs of office and residential blocks of Sampark Gram is collected in this tank. Water collected in this tank is sufficient for four months at a daily consumption rate of 3,000 litres.

After this unique step of Sampark, several people in Raipuria and Petlawad followed the suit. Later water tanks were constructed in 25 schools of 22 villages. Average capacity of these tanks is 50,000 litres per tank. Along with tanks, two toilets, one each for boys and girls, have been constructed in each school so cleanliness may be promoted in the schools.

Responsibility of maintenance of water tanks and toilets has been given to the school concerned and the Gram Panchayat in which the school lies.

For selecting the villages, Education Officer of Petlawad Development Block was written a letter for a list of water problem schools and hostels. After the organisation got the list, schools were visited and discussions held with the teachers and students. After this the head masters of the school and sarpanch of gram panchayat concerned were sent a demand letter in which the current status of water and problems arising during the shortage period were mentioned. After this the construction work began when a sanction was received from the education office of the development block.