Volume II - Issue 02
“(The) water crisis is
largely our own making.
It has resulted not from
the natural limitations of
the water supply or lack
of financing and appro-
priate technologies, even
though these are impor-
tant factors, but rather
from profound failures in
water governance.
….Consequently, resolv-
ing the challenges in this
area must be a key prior-
ity if we are to achieve
sustainable water re-
sources development and
management”.
- www.undp.org/water
“A small body of deter-
mined spirits fired by an
unquenchable faith in
their mission can alter
the course of history”
- Mahatma Gandhi
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Water Systems in Asian 2 a higher degree of community
Cities
WDM Strategy for Bhopal 3 processes. The success of the
and Gwalior
Planning Workshop for 4 land and housing are much
WATSAN Classrooms
December 2005
Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal
Mission launched
On December 3, 2005, the
Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan
Singh launched the Jawaharlal
Nehru National Urban Renewal
Mission (JNNURM). On this
occasion, he said that an in-
creasing share of India’s popu-
lation now lived in cities. India
was now poised to have nearly
fifty per cent of its population
living in cities by the earlier part
of the present century. With
urbanization comes the need to
invest in infrastructure and im-
prove the quality of life in our
cities. The Jawaharlal Nehru
National Urban Renewal Mis- Dr. Manmohan Singh, Hon'ble Prime Minister of India launches the JNNURM.
sion is a city-based programme. Also seen in the Picture are Mr. Jaipal Reddy, Minister for Urban Development
and Dr. M.S. Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Govt. of India
It seeks to build the capacity of
India’s cities for management. use their powers and responsi- and Poverty Alleviation to work
A major failure of city govern- bilities, make it difficult to deal to ensure that basic services are
ance has been the inability of with the many problems facing indeed provided to the urban
ULBs to address the needs of the our cities. poor. The issues to focus while
poor - basic services like drink- This Urban Renewal Mission is appraising project reports are:
ing water supply, sanitation, (i) security of tenure, (ii) im-
designed to assist city govern-
housing and social services are ments in improving property tax proved housing, (iii) drinking
not available to an increasing collection and bring user charge water supply, (iv) sanitation, (v)
share of urban population. to the levels that cover at least education, (vi) health care and
operating and maintenance (vii) social security. City govern-
Cities need to develop a long-
costs and change their account- ments should build in a strong
term planning framework.
ing methods. The Mission is component of support for urban
JNNURM provides an agenda
meant to bring in transparency basic services in their plans for
of reform to enable urban local
in local budget making, as also infrastructure upgradation.
bodies to look ahead. The prob-
Among the list of 63 cities being
lems of inadequate service and
infrastructure levels, of inade- participation in decision-making covered initially, there are some
that are important from the point
quate investment in them, and
the non-availability of adequate Mission will depend on its abil- of view of India’s national heri-
ity to enlist the support of a tage, tourism potential and reli-
deeper. Presently, our legal large number of partners and gious pilgrimage. These include
systems, our systems of work stakeholders. cities like Varanasi, Amritsar,
and procedures, and the inabil- The Prime Minister urged the Haridwar, Ujjain and many
ity of local bodies to effectively Ministry of Urban Employment others.
 PAGE - 2
Managing Demand for Sustainable development of
Water Systems in Asian Cities
The purpose of any water supply system is
to satisfy the needs of communities. The
suitability of any water resource to meet
the demand hinges on the specific require-
ments of the communities that will use it.
The amount of water consumed by a com-
munity depends on many factors. External
factors include climate: more water is
needed in hot weather than in cold. Some
factors may be cultural, e.g., the restriction
on water during Ramadan in Muslim coun-
tries, or behavioural, e.g., washing prac-
tices. These patterns are not unrelated to
water availability, but they do not neces-
sarily reflect the level of actual or potential
supply. For instance, although hot weather
during the summer season tends to in-
crease demand, requirements may actually
decrease if most people go on vacation
during that period. This situation is often
found on hot summer weekends in cities;
the fewer people in town compensate for
increased consumption per person.
Water demand also depends on water
availability. People adapt to available
volume and, although there is some inertia
involved in modifying habits, increasing
supply volumes usually produce some in-
crease in consumption level (other factors
being equal). The rate of consumption is
high also due to lack of metering. The
single most important factor affecting wa-
ter demand is the existing infrastructure for
its supply, i.e., conduction, treatment, stor-
age, and distribution systems. A key ele-
ment is the ratio of service connections to
the number of households. Households
without connections normally (but not nec-
essarily) consume much less water, and
consumption per person increases with the
number of connections. In many countries
in Asia, the number of new connections
lag behind the number of new households,
especially in the fastest growing cities in
the poorer countries.
Leakage of water from the distribution
systems artificially inflates the rate of con-
sumption. Although leakage occurs in any
system (On the order of 10–20% of the
water in the system), in obsolete systems
this proportion can increase to 30–40% or
more, e.g. in Bhopal and Indore, leakage
is estimated to be as high as 50%. It
would be difficult to find any large city in
the region not experiencing this problem.
In some cities, leaked water is lost; in oth-
ers, it finds its way into aquifers and may
be at least partly retrieved (at a cost). Poli-
cies of the water management authorities
can be used to regulate use as well. Meter-
ing and pricing policies are probably the
most important in affecting consumption
and demand. Water utilities should ask
themselves a number of questions:
• Is there adequate control (metering) of
consumed water?
• Are pricing policies equitable for all
neighbourhoods?
• What are the policies for different uses
(domestic, industrial, agricultural, etc.)?
• Does cost differ with different levels of
consumption?
• Are there different prices for peak periods?
• What policies address leisure use of water,
e.g., swimming pools and watering gar-
dens?
Finally, the technological efficiency of
water use can affect demand. Appliances
and fixtures designed to provide water are
a factor to be considered. To a large ex-
tent, “water-using technology and not the
user’s behaviour, determines the amount of
water used”. In spite of the importance of
reducing unnecessary or wasteful water
consumption, little is done in this regard.
Although water can be expensive for peo-
ple at the lower income levels, the price
charged to consumers is still below the cost
of supplying it when capital investments,
maintenance, and other expenses are
considered. Well-off urban residents of the
Asian cities take for granted their access to
large volumes of water at a low cost, even
when wasting water may mean inade-
quate supply to less-affluent neighbour-
hoods. However, wastage is not an exclu-
sive practice of the urban upper classes;
waste occurs throughout the social spec-
trum, including the urban poor. Water is a
valuable resource and its true economic
worth must be recognized by decision-
makers and consumers alike. Only with
this awareness will it be possible to bring
demand levels in line with the actual and
reasonable needs of the populations.
December 2005
Level of Demand in Asian Cities
Water demand cannot be measured only
by the level of consumption. Consumption
is always below potential demand be-
cause of interruptions to the service, low
pressure, insufficient connections, etc. On
the other hand, if conservation measures
were applied, consumption could be sig-
nificantly reduced. Methods to bring about
a reduction include:
• Reducing leakage to eliminate up to 20–
30% of false consumption;
• Introducing water-saving technology, such
as smaller toilet tanks and low-volume
shower heads; and
• Changing water-consumption patterns,
e.g., through adequate pricing policies or
voluntary life-style changes, to stop wasteful
practices or decrease consumption during
peak periods (systems are overdesigned to
meet infrequent but critical peak loads).
Actual consumption could be reduced by
more than 50% in many Asian cities, sim-
ply through adequate maintenance, appro-
priate policies, and greater public aware-
ness. Conservation alone could probably
compensate for current deficits and a por-
tion of future expansion in many cities of
the region for a few years. However, con-
servation efforts cannot bring more water
into the systems. There is still a need to
protect present water sources and find new
ones, both natural and artificial, i.e., recy-
cled wastewaters.
The Demand Side of the Equation
The water problem has two sides: supply
and demand. Many of the supply prob-
lems in Asian cities would be solved, or
would be less acute, if more sustainable
policies and strategies were implemented.
Consumption is much greater than re-
quired to simply provide water for urban
activities and dwellings. Wastage takes
place at all levels in the water systems:
leakage from the pipelines, wasteful atti-
tudes encouraged by lack of metering or
inadequate pricing policies, inappropriate
water-appliances, etc. To improve the
situation, therefore, both sides of the prob-
lem must be attacked: increase supply and
reduce demand. In both areas, improved
management strategies are needed.
VOLUME II - ISSUE 02
Water Demand Management Strategy developed for Bhopal and Gwalior
UN-HABITAT in cooperation with The Energy and Resources Insti- • Energy audit should be carried out at all pump houses. It is also
tute (TERI), New Delhi and Water Resource Planning and Conser-
vation (WRP), South Africa has developed strategy for water de-
mand management in Bhopal and Gwalior. TERI conducted a
water balancing study, prepared a detailed database on a GIS • Pilot study areas like Paramount apartments, Judges colony, Char
platform and has made recommendations for reducing Unac-
counted for Water (UFW) so that available water supply is effi-
ciently and effectively distributed. This will help in developing a
comprehensive reform package for Bhopal and Gwalior involving
institutional, financial and technical issues in water supply for suc-
cessful implementation of Urban Water Supply & Environmental
Improvement Project in the two cities of Madhya Pradesh.
The water supply to Bhopal is largely dependent on the Kolar Dam
and the Upper Lake. A significant fraction of the water supplied is
supplemented by ground water through tube wells and hand
• The existing tariff structure in both cities needs to be rationalized
pumps. Water Balance analysis based on the available informa-
tion suggests that Non-Revenue Water (NRW) in Bhopal is esti-
mated to be between 31% and 49%. Similarly the water supply to
Gwalior is mainly dependent on the Tighra-Kaketo system and
ground water augments this supply. Water Balance analysis
based on the available information suggests that Non-Revenue • It is also recommended that both BMC and GMC should develop
Water (NRW) in Murar Zone is estimated to be between 55% to
66%, Lashkar east zone to be 36% to 50% and Gwalior-Lashkar
West zone combined NRW is around 52% to 62%. TERI has
made the following recommendations for the two cities:
• In Bhopal, bulk meters be installed at different locations of the
Kolar water transmission network. For the Upper Lake water
supply scheme, bulk meters should be installed at the outlet of
each treatment plant. Similarly in Gwalior bulk meters be in-
stalled at outlet of both new and old treatment plants. Bulk me-
ters should also be installed at transmission mains to Murar, • Currently, both BMC and GMC follow a method of charging flat
Lashkar East and Lashkar west. It is also recommended to install
bulk meters at gravity mains from the dam. It is also proposed to
install V-notches to measure water flow in open channels and
inlet to both treatment plants to assess water allocation and
leakages.
• Bulk revenue meters should also be installed for revenue realisa-
tion from bulk consumers like BHEL, MES, RRL in Bhopal and
MES, IAF, Railways, J.A. Hospital etc. in Gwalior as they con-
sume a very high percentage of the total water supplied.
• Both in Bhopal and Gwalior, domestic consumer meters are not
• As a first step it is thus recommended that a vision be developed
installed and all revenue is, therefore, realized on a flat rate
basis. The absence of metering coupled with an irrational tariff
structure results in huge losses to the service provider, which
leads to inadequate funds for proper O&M. It is, therefore, rec-
ommended that domestic consumer meters should also be in-
stalled.
• A dedicated team should be involved to carry out leak detection
and repair in the two cities. To begin with all visible leakages
occurring from transmission pipes, valves and pumps should be
identified and repaired. It is also suggested that there should be
phased wise replacement of water tankers with small piped
water networks or setting up of water kiosks in the areas sup-
plied through tankers.
PAGE - 3
suggested that expenditure on power consumption should be re-
corded and tracked by installing energy monitoring systems near
all pump houses and treatment plants.
Imli in Bhopal and Ward 17, Indra Nagar (Murar) in Gwalior
have been suggested for carrying out WDM Strategies such as
District-metering areas (DMA), domestic consumer metering, water
audit, identification of leakages and repair, preparation for GIS
database based on extensive survey of pipelines, pressure man-
agement, asset management program, carry out awareness cam-
paign and regularising illegal connection. Such studies will help in
assessing financial and technical inputs required to carry out im-
plementation of these strategies at city level.
to address cost recovery principles, improve collection efficiency
and provide clarity to tariff design. It is also proposed to modify
the prevalent municipal accounting and financial reporting systems
from single-entry cash based to double-entry accrual based system.
a master plan for provision of water supply services in Bhopal and
Gwalior, which will help in better management of water supply
networks. Restructuring of the water works department with clear
demarcations for planning, construction, design, distribution O&M
and plant O&M. Creating special cells for functions such as leak
detection, consumer grievances and database management should
also be undertaken. Other recommendations include that an
awareness campaign should be carried out to regularise illegal
connections for better revenue realisation.
rates for domestic water supply, primarily because of non-
functional metering at the consumer end. The existing tariff struc-
ture needs to be rationalized to address cost recovery principles,
improve collection efficiency and provide clarity to tariff design.
An alternative to the current tariff structure is the ‘two part’ tariff
structure. Such a tariff design typically includes a consumption/
volumetric rate in addition to the fixed water charge. It is also
suggested to modify the prevalent municipal accounting and
financial reporting systems from single-entry cash based to dou-
ble-entry accrual based system.
for provision of water supply services by involving all stake-
holders such as BMC/GMC employees, NGO’s, academia,
RWA’s etc. The vision statement should draw upon the existing
national and state water polices and urban development poli-
cies adopted by the state and national governments and also
the expectations of the consumers. GMC should also develop a
master plan for provision of water supply services in Gwalior,
which will help in better management of water supply net-
works. Restructuring of the water works department with clear
demarcations for planning, construction, design, distribution
O&M and plant O&M. It is proposed that an awareness cam-
paign should be carried out to regularise illegal connections in
the areas like Ramaji ka pura for better revenue realization.

Planning Workshop for Setting up WATSAN Classrooms
UN-HABITAT in cooperation with Centre for Environment Educa-
tion (CEE) is developing classrooms focusing on Human Values-
based Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Education in four cities of
Madhya Pradesh viz. Bhopal, Jabalpur, Indore and Gwalior.
The HVWSHE classroom would serve as an education resource
centre providing creative and interactive environment for the
students of the school in which it is located, as well as for the
other schools in the respective cities. The schools identified for
the project are Hamidia Boys’ School, Bhopal, Padma Vidya-
laya, Gwalior, Bal Vinay Mandir, Indore, Model School, Ja-
balpur and one school in Savarkundla, Gujarat. A Planning
workshop was organised on 13-14th December 2005 at Bho-
pal to deliberate upon the need assessment for WATSAN
awareness among the children and to come out with sugges-
tions about the types of models, activities, experiments, etc. that
should be in the classroom to facilitate such learning. Teachers
from respective schools and concerned district officials, NGOs
working in the sector along with CEE and UN-HABITAT repre-
sentatives would be participating in the workshop. The objec-
tives of the planning workshop were as follows:
• To assess the water, sanitation, hygiene education needs of
target group, including the links to the curriculum
• To deliberate the WATSAN issues and practices that the tar-
get group should inculcate
Mr. S.N. Mishra, Project Director, UWSEIP, Madhya Pradesh
delivering the inaugural address at the Workshop
UN-HABITAT
Water for Asian Cities Programme
EP-16/17, Chandragupta Marg, Chanakyapuri
New Delhi - 110021 (India), Tel: +91-11-24104970-73
Fax: +91-11-24104961, Web: www.unwac.org
WAC Programme Project Office
E-1/191, Arera Colony, Bhopal - 462016
Madhya Pradesh, India, Tel: +91-755-2460835-36
Fax: +91-755-2460837, Email: Wac.India@unhabitat.org
PAGE - 4
• To arrive at the ‘content’/ ‘message media matrix’ for the
WATSAN classrooms
• To suggest activities for reaching out to the communities and
future plan of action
The workshop was inaugurated by Mr. S.N. Misra, Project Di-
rector, Urban Water Supply & Environmental Improvement Pro-
ject MP. He pointed out that the attitude of the citizens towards
water is very careless and negligent and they have not realized
that it is a precious resource. As an analogy he stated that citi-
zens were ready to pay for cable TV, mobile phone etc, but
when the municipality asks for minimal suitable user water
charges, it was found unacceptable. He emphasized the need
for influencing the values of children which in turn would lead to
changes in the society. He also spoke about the important role
of the capacity-building process supported by UN-HABITAT in
bringing about fundamental changes in lifestyle of the citizens.
Mr. Manish Singh, Municipal Commissioner, Bhopal Municipal
Corporation pointed out how facilities like these would be bene-
ficial towards fulfilling the basic role of a Municipal Corporation
i.e. providing basic safe water and sanitation facilities. He also
spoke that while choosing Hamidia Boys’ school in Bhopal the
location of the school near the Upper Lake has been kept in
mind for ensuring awareness for the pollution in Lake catchment
area.
The workshop identified existing concepts and practices in
school syllabus related to water, sanitation and hygiene and
how the WATSAN classroom can help to enhance their learn-
ing, as well as look at ‘gaps’ in the curriculum and how these
can be filled through the WATSAN classrooms. There were also
some experience sharing and activities related to WATSAN
during the workshop. CEE has a long experience of working on
these issues, especially with children and schools. Some of these
experiences were shared with the participants.
Dr. and Mrs. Banjara also shared their interesting experience of
how their Nividya Trust schools came into being and how they
were carrying out the schools especially aimed for slum children
in Savarkundla (Gujarat).
The workshop focused on how these classrooms can be best
utilized for reaching out to a large number of schools children,
parents, teachers and communities.
Editorial Board
Gopal Reddy, Secretary, UADD, State Govt. of M.P
Savitur Prasad, Director, Govt. of India
S.N. Mishra, Project Director, UWSEIP, Bhopal
Debashish Bhattacharjee, ADB, India Resident Mission
Aniruddhe Mukerjee, CTA, UN-HABITAT, Bhopal
Editor
Kulwant Singh, CTA, UN-HABITAT, New Delhi