Opinion A new wave from Amravati

The challenge of providing continuous water supply was much greater in Amravati. The bulk source of water is 55 km away compared with 5 km for Malkapur. The relevant surface source — the Upper Wardha dam — was created only in 1994 after Amravati suffered a major cholera epidemic in 1992. The city had earlier relied totally on groundwater,and water-borne diseases were common. Also,unlike in Malkapur where no network of pipes existed,Amravati had an ageing network.

Until only a few years ago,water was typically delivered for only four hours a day in Amravati. Besides the many illegal connections and the free water provided by the 933 stand posts,including many in the 74 slum clusters of the city,the old pipes leaked. The revenue generating water received by customers in the city was only 39 million litres per day compared with a supply to the city of 82 million litres per day. The remaining 52 per cent of the supply of water generated no revenue for MJP.

Today Amravati receives 24×7 water in four out of its 16 zones,that is,Arjun Nagar,Sai Nagar,Maya Nagar and HSR zone,covering 17 per cent of the total population. In the four zones,55 km of old leaky pipes have been replaced. The pressurised continuous flow of water means that maintenance of meters is easier,and it is also more difficult for contaminants to enter the pipeline,thus ensuring better quality of water. It is no longer necessary to hoard water and then throw it away when the next lot of fresh water comes along. Water consumption in these zones has been reduced from 165 litres per capita per day to 112.

The seeds of change were sown in 2008 when ECO-Asia facilitated a Water Operator Partnership between Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran (MJP) and Ranhill Utilities from Malaysia to implement a 24×7 project in Badlapur with a population of 2,00,000. The project used techniques for reducing non-revenue water as a core part of its strategy,which also ensured financial viability. Its success created a basis for MJP to obtain additional state funding to scale up the provision of continuous water supply in other towns and cities of Maharashtra,for example,Malkapur,Jalochi,Amravati,etc.

In Amravati,the first step was to conduct a consumer survey in the year 2009 covering 1,01,723 properties having 65,930 connections. It tracked down illegal connections and provided information on consumer categories,for example,domestic or commercial,which helps in designing a differentiated tariff structure. It also made available data on the number of family members in each household,which serves as an important input into the design of the distribution system. Many of the stand posts have since been removed and legal connections have been put in place,at subsidised rates or in the form of group connections for the poor.

A Quick Bird satellite image of the city with 0.5 metre resolution,covering an area of 137 sq km with a digital map of road network and properties was procured from the National Remote Sensing Agency in Hyderabad. The satellite image was superimposed on a GIS map and used as a backdrop for the hydraulic model (the largest such model in India covering 9200 nodes and pipelines),which is at the heart of the project.

The software WaterGem was used to create a base scenario for the hydraulic model with detailed information on elements such as reservoir,tanks,pipelines and valves. A strategic component of the model is the creation of District Metering Areas (DMA). Each of the 16 zones is subdivided into DMAs with 500 to 2500 connections per DMA. By installing a bulk meter at the entrance of each DMA and cutting off the area from adjoining areas’ water flow,each DMA is isolated hydraulically,making it easier to estimate non-revenue water.

The engineers at MJP were trained in the skill of making active topology and creating the hydraulic model in 16 pieces. The model was unified by Dr Sanjay Dahasahasra,the then member secretary,MJP. The pride and passion with which Dahasahasra spoke of the achievements of this project highlights the importance of capacity and motivation at all levels. He stressed the role played by the Change Management Unit of the project,which has engineers,draftsmen,field operating staff such as valve operators,meter readers,etc.,working to bring about the transformation.

The water charges imposed by the Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran since June 2010 are Rs 11.20 up to the first 15 kilolitre (kl) of domestic consumption,Rs 12.30 for between 15 and 20 kl,Rs 16.80 for between 20 and 25 kl and Rs 22.4 for beyond 25 kl of consumption. Non-domestic users are charged Rs 50.80 per kl and institutions like schools are charged Rs 21.6 per kl. The result of these technical and financial innovations has been to achieve full cost recovery of operation and maintenance expenditure.

By contrast,the water rates in Pune are Rs 3 per kl for domestic and Rs 33 per kl for non-domestic uses. In Delhi,where I live,while the first 6 kl are free for domestic consumption,the maximum rate for domestic consumption above 30 kl is Rs 15. Initially there was some sporadic resistance to higher tariffs in Amravati,but with successful 24/7 delivery,the residents are now paying regularly. Effective communication with political representatives,media,and civil society has ensured wide stakeholder participation.

In order to provide an overall solution for water and sanitation in Amravati,a new scheme has been sanctioned for laying 252 km sewerage pipelines in the heart of the city in three sewer districts (zones created to collect sewerage by gravity according to the terrain). Three sewerage treatment plants of a total capacity of 64 million litres per day are being constructed along with the three sewage pumping stations,under JNNURM. The work is at an advanced stage and the city is expected to have a full-fledged sewerage system by 2013.

Carrying the good work forward,the state government has launched the Maharashtra Sujal and Nirmal Abhiyan (MSNA),a state-wide initiative on water and sanitation,in 2010-11 as part of the golden jubilee celebrations of the state. MSNA is a reforms-led programme that covers all urban local bodies of Maharashtra except Mumbai city,and adopts an integrated approach to water management. Water supply,sewerage and sullage,toilet management and solid waste management are the four major pillars of the Sujal and Nirmal Abhiyan. It involves looking at the bulk source of water,the distribution network,and sewage treatment,which allows reuse of water for non-potable uses,thus augmenting the overall supply to meet the growing demand for water. A distinguishing feature of the campaign is its focus on service delivery outcomes. As it gathers momentum,there will be many more stories of transformation of city sanitation to share from Maharashtra.

The writer is chairperson of ICRIER and former chairperson of the high-powered expert committee on urban infrastructure services