Asia: reducing lost water could bring water to millions

Millions of people in Asia and the Pacific could have access to clean water if leaks were plugged and water utility reforms adopted, says a new study by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

“By cutting the amount of lost water in half, 150 million people could be supplied with treated water”, said ADB’s Vice President for Knowledge Management and Sustainable Development Bindu Lohani.
ADB estimates that 29 billion cubic meters of water is lost each year in the region, causing Asia’s water utilities to lose more than US$ 9 billion in revenue each year.

The ADB study, which showcases eight of the best-performing water utilities [2] in Asia, shows that current unaccounted for water (UFW) levels in the region of up to 60%, can be brought down to less than 20%. Phnom Penh even managed to lower its UFW level to just 6% in 2008.

Good Practices: The Success Framework for Urban Water Utilities. Source: ADB publication “Good Practices in Urban Water Management”

The study developed a Good Practices Success Framework (see figure above) with seven key elements that urban water utilities need to address. Regarding one of these elements, empowering the poor, the study notes that each of the eight water agencies studied provided some kind of subsidy for obtaining a water connection and, in deserving cases, for the use of water as well.

[1] Chiplunkar, A., Seetharam Kallidaikurichi and Tan Cheon Kheong (eds), 2012. Good practices in urban water management : decoding good practices for a successful future. Mandaluyong City, Philippines: Asian Development Bank. xx, 206 p. Available at: < http://www.adb.org/publications/good-practices-urban-water-management>

[2] Bangkok, Thailand; Colombo, Sri Lanka; Jamshedpur, India; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Manila, Philippines; Phnom Penh, Cambodia; Shenzhen, People’s Republic of China; and Singapore.

Related news: Higher water tariffs are associated with lower water loss, E-Source, 06 Dec 2011

Related web site: World Bank – Urban Water

Source: ADB, 03 Jul 2012

India, Karnataka: communication campaign helps realise sustainable water supply in small towns

When three small towns in the state of Karnataka, India attempted to provide continuous water supply to their citizens through a public-private partnership, they faced disbelief even ridicule. A sustained and strategic communication campaign over several years finally enabled the Karnataka Urban Water Supply Improvement Project (KUWASIP) to succeed with people’s support. Now, the citizens of these three towns – Hubli-Dharwad, Gulbarga and Begaum – benefit from 24/7 water supply through the .

This best practice was produced as a short movie titled “Overcoming Resistance and Initiating Change through Communications” by the Water and Sanitation Program (WSP) in partnership with the Administrative Staff College of India and is part of a training curriculum for city managers and policy-makers.

KUWASIP was jointly funded by the World Bank and the Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation (KUIDFC). In 2009, KUIDFC received a National Urban Water Award for the project in the category

Related web site: KUIDFC – Karnataka Urban Water Supply Improvement Project (KUWASIP)

Sri Lanka, Colombo: water pirates to be hunted down

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) has taken steps to nab water pirates in Colombo and the suburbs, an official said.

“We have established a special unit to nab water pirates. It is headed by a chief engineer in the NWSDB,” Deputy General Manager, Western and Central (NWSDB), Gerard Fonseka said.

Nearly 120 such illegal water tappers in Colombo are nabbed every month by the NWSDB. There has been no need to implement such programmes in the other districts since complaints regarding tapping of water have not been reported from these areas, he said.

Once the water pirates are caught, the NWSDB would demand that they pay the fines within a given period of time and in the case of not obliging, legal action would be initiated.

According to Fernando, water has been pilfered either by tampering with the meters or obtaining water illegally. He further requested the public to inform the NWSDB about water pirates on their hot line (1939).

Source: Pabodha Hettige, The Island, 18 Jul 2011

India, Gujarat: state govt approves slum rehabilitation project in Ahmedabad

Amraiwadi, a crime-prone slum area of Ahmedabad, is set for a makeover as nearly 1200 families will get one-bedroom flat with good drainage, separate toilets, a drinking water supply, a landscaped garden and a school.

This is the first project to be approved by the state Urban Development Department (UDD) under its new Slum Rehabilitation Policy [1]. Under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, UDD has contracted the Ahmedabad-based realty firm, Safal Realty Pvt Limited (HN Safal) to implement the project.

Gujarat has based its policy on the Mumbai Dharavi slum development project plan.

[1] UDD – Regulations For The Rehabilitation and Redevelopment of the Slums 2010

Source: DailyBhaskar.com, 18 Jul 2011 ; Indian Express, 15 Jul 2011

India, Chennai: one third of residents rely on bottled water

Despite a significant increase in public water supply, one million families in Chennai, about a third of the city’s population, rely on sachets, PET bottles and cans of water for daily consumption. Sales of packaged water continue to soar in a state that already has 680 licensed private drinking water units.

The sale of packaged water has shot up to 6 million litres per day from 4 million litres in 2010, according to the Tamil Nadu Packaged Drinking Water Association. Now even consumers in low-income groups are purchasing water cans and sachets. At least 3.5 million litres of water are sold in cans every day.

Complaints about irregular supply and poor water quality are rife in several of Chennai’s residential areas.

Said S Anand, a resident of Gandhi Nagar in Pulianthope, “The water supply from the community tap is not sufficient to meet domestic needs. If the water is not tapped during high pressure, it stinks. It is wiser to spend money on good quality water than pay a huge sum at the hospital, later.” Areas like Korukkupet, Pulianthope, Choolai, Pattalam and Jamalia face complaints of poor quality water. In several homes, bubble top water containers have found [a] permanent place in the kitchens.

Prices for packed water range between 25 and 80 rupees (US$ 0.56 to US$ 1.78) for 20 litres.

Related web sites:

• Metrowater
• India Water Portal – Bottled Water

Source: Julie Mariappan, Times of India, 12 Apr 2011

Bhutan, Thimphu: interim water project tackles water shortages

An interim water supply project will hopefully provide relief to residents in south and north Thimphu city who have been going without water for almost four days a week. Authorities are blaming an unprecedented construction boom and the increasing population for the capital city’s persistent water shortage problem, despite an ongoing Asian Development Bank (ADB) water supply project [1].

Indra, a Jungshina resident said, for the last three days, they had been waiting for water to fill up their tanks, in absence of which residents normally fetched the precious resource from far away sources.

“Even when we have water flowing down our taps, they’re usually timed and rationed,” he said. An Olakha resident Nima Gyem said it was a growing inconvenience to have to store water in empty buckets and pots in preparation for days without water.

“To fetch water from a far away place travelling by taxi is both expensive and difficult, especially when you have school going children,” she said.

The Thimphu City corporation (TCC) interim water supply project, worth 8 million ngultram (US$ 180,000), plans to rehabilitate and restore existing water channels from Ngabironchu, and supply water to some 200 households in the north, and another 200 households in the city’s south, which are not covered by teh ADB project. The community will be asked to contribute labour, while the city corporation will contribute 20 per cent of the labour charge. The TCC expecst that the project will be completed by September 2011.

[1] ADB – Urban Infrastructure Development : Bhutan

Source: South Asian Media Net, 12 Apr 2011

India, Mumbai: tribals up in arms against five key water supply projects

More than five projects aiming to augment water supply for the growing Mumbai metropolitan region are facing opposition from locals and the tribal population in rural areas. They are demanding that they get water first before going ahead with the projects. The projects, financed by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), involve extending dams or building new ones and the displacement of villages.

In early April 2011, there was a mass protest against the state government’s move to divert water from the Surya irrigation project in Thane to the extended western suburbs of Mumbai.

“We have no issues with Mumbai getting water, but what about the tribals here who do not get water despite having dams in the region. The Surya dam was constructed from the funds meant for tribal development. The state government is spending Rs 1,000 crore [US$ 222 million], but is not ready to invest Rs 20 crore and provide water to the tribals,” said Chintaman Vanga, BJP MLA from Vikramgadh, who is spearheading the agitation here. Almost every dam that will provide water to Mumbai is being built in these tribal belts, but the water woes in the region continue.

Read more: Prashant Rangnekar, Indian Express, 08 Apr 2011

Nepal, Kathmandu: water board to curb rampant groundwater extraction

The Kathmandu Valley Water Supply Management Board (KVWSMB) is going to establish 30 monitoring centres throughout the Kathmandu Valley to curb rampant groundwater extraction. The centres, which are coming into operation by mid-May 2011, will monitor the quality and quantity of groundwater.

Both individuals and institutions that extract groundwater for commercial purposes will need to apply for a license from the KVWSMB after the monitoring centres are established. There are currently over 500 tubewells operating in the Kathmandu Valley. However, only 100 of them are registered at the board. Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited (KUKL) already extracts a large amount of groundwater from 70 tube wells and supplying the water to its consumers. According to KUKL, the daily water demand in the Kathmandu Valley at present is 320 million litres but the supply is only around 70 million litres in the dry season and 120 million litres in the wet season.

Source: Nagarik / NGO Forum, 30 Mar 2011

India, Bangalore: rainwater harvesting deadline extended

The Karnataka state Legislative Assembly has extended the deadline making it mandatory for citizens in Greater Bangalore to install rainwater harvesting (RWH) systems. The extension, as drawn up in the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage (Amendment) Bill 2011, was approved unanimously by the assembly on 13 January 2011.

In 2009, the state government introduced a bill making RWH compulsory for existing buildings with an area of not less than 223 square metres and for new planned buildings with an area of not less 111 than 1200 square metres. The original deadline of 29 May 2010 has now been extended as “people were finding it difficult to meet”.

India, Bangalore: new legislation lets water board tackle water thieves

A recent amendment to the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) Act enables the board to take tough action against water theft and meter tampering. So far the BWSSB has booked criminal cases against 15 violators and subsequently disconnected their water supply. Another 24 violators will soon face the same fate.

The amended BWSSB Act has new sections 108A and 108B to deal with water theft and bring in stringent measures to curb meter tampering. This allows the board to book violators and punish the guilty with a three-year jail term or with a penalty of Rs. 5,000 [US$ 320] depending on the dimension of the site. The penalty includes the cost of meter and arrears, the press release said.

Called the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage and Certain other laws (Amendment) Bill 2009, the amendment was approved by Governor on April 14 and the gazette notification issued on April 16.

Source: The Hindu, 10 Sep 2010