Politics
Infrastructure Development
Infrastructure
Urban Development
Environmental Management
Water Supply Services
Today I would like to share what I have learned about water supply infrastructure development & services in last 1.5 years. 🥤🚿🚰
It is one critical aspect in governance, whose importance we only understand in its absence.
A thread on Water Supply services & how its done:
It is one critical aspect in governance, whose importance we only understand in its absence.
A thread on Water Supply services & how its done:
1/n Water supply infrastructure has 3 important components:
a) Source
b) Storage & transportation
c) Distribution
All 3 require infrastructure & operations separately (& talking to each other)
Frm an administrative point, mgmt is done separately for urban & rural areas
a) Source
b) Storage & transportation
c) Distribution
All 3 require infrastructure & operations separately (& talking to each other)
Frm an administrative point, mgmt is done separately for urban & rural areas
2/n
When erecting a new water supply infra, these things are studied & measured:
a) Existing demand (based on estimated pop & statutory mandate liters per day per capita)
b) Expected demand (on 30 year predictive models)
c) Geographical terrain
d) Source capacity & yield
contd
When erecting a new water supply infra, these things are studied & measured:
a) Existing demand (based on estimated pop & statutory mandate liters per day per capita)
b) Expected demand (on 30 year predictive models)
c) Geographical terrain
d) Source capacity & yield
contd
3/n
...
e) Source sustainability
f) Quality of the source
g) Land availability for storage & transportation
h) Distribution network feasibility
i) Existing infra. capacity
j) Power requirements for distribution and pumping
k) Economics
More components go into this.
...
e) Source sustainability
f) Quality of the source
g) Land availability for storage & transportation
h) Distribution network feasibility
i) Existing infra. capacity
j) Power requirements for distribution and pumping
k) Economics
More components go into this.
4/n
What doesn't go into official reports & technical but plays a critical role?
--> political equations at the local level
--> people's perception at the local level
--> contractors' lobby and official nexus
These factors have a direct impact on success of these projects
What doesn't go into official reports & technical but plays a critical role?
--> political equations at the local level
--> people's perception at the local level
--> contractors' lobby and official nexus
These factors have a direct impact on success of these projects
5/n
After detailed reports for infra are made, a long & exhaustive process of finding right contractors starts.
--> This is where probity in public governance is tested, as vested interests push back and forth, everyone has a view
--> Key is: strictly follow govt. processes
After detailed reports for infra are made, a long & exhaustive process of finding right contractors starts.
--> This is where probity in public governance is tested, as vested interests push back and forth, everyone has a view
--> Key is: strictly follow govt. processes
6/n
After works are awarded, unexpected developments may happen.
--> Contractor starts misbehaving
--> Local stakeholder equations disrupt plans
--> Other dept. permissions cause delay (Achilles heel in govt: every dept. works in silos)
--> Contractor is slow in execution
After works are awarded, unexpected developments may happen.
--> Contractor starts misbehaving
--> Local stakeholder equations disrupt plans
--> Other dept. permissions cause delay (Achilles heel in govt: every dept. works in silos)
--> Contractor is slow in execution
7/n
Urban areas have a much larger scope
--> imagine supplying water to 20 million people in Mumbai)
as compared to rural areas
--> anywhere from villages of 50 families to 5000 families
--> Urban is about scale & systems, small rural is more about local level management
Urban areas have a much larger scope
--> imagine supplying water to 20 million people in Mumbai)
as compared to rural areas
--> anywhere from villages of 50 families to 5000 families
--> Urban is about scale & systems, small rural is more about local level management
8/n
In rural areas, we are implementing Jal Jeevan Mission, biggest water supply scheme in the World today.
--> 700 schemes covering 900+ villages being done in Thane district alone (with $100 million outlay in one year)
--> Mapping & monitoring so much is a never ending task
In rural areas, we are implementing Jal Jeevan Mission, biggest water supply scheme in the World today.
--> 700 schemes covering 900+ villages being done in Thane district alone (with $100 million outlay in one year)
--> Mapping & monitoring so much is a never ending task
9/n
In peri-urban villages, I am a Board member in STEM, which is one of the few profitable water companies in municipal corporation areas in India. (a non-profit company)
--> It serves over a 10 million people daily
--> Creates water infrastructure & treatment plants, maintena
In peri-urban villages, I am a Board member in STEM, which is one of the few profitable water companies in municipal corporation areas in India. (a non-profit company)
--> It serves over a 10 million people daily
--> Creates water infrastructure & treatment plants, maintena
10/n
Building water infra is one challenge, maintaining it is even a bigger one.
--> Villages don't have manpower or know-how to maintain 30 year schemes
--> Geographical terrain throws problems never seen before
--> Unpaid water bills cripple infra & cause financial problems
Building water infra is one challenge, maintaining it is even a bigger one.
--> Villages don't have manpower or know-how to maintain 30 year schemes
--> Geographical terrain throws problems never seen before
--> Unpaid water bills cripple infra & cause financial problems
11/n
Urban has a challenge of leak proof supply across 100 km long pipelines, water chori (theft), unpaid water bills, & burgeoning demand is always a pressure
--> Infra grows much slower than demand
--> Electricity bills often break finances of villages, hence switch to solar
Urban has a challenge of leak proof supply across 100 km long pipelines, water chori (theft), unpaid water bills, & burgeoning demand is always a pressure
--> Infra grows much slower than demand
--> Electricity bills often break finances of villages, hence switch to solar
12/n
Despite these long list of works, components & challenges, 100s of invisible engineers & water supply staff ensure water reaches your homes on time.
Many villages, specially small ones in geographically far-off & water scarce areas are hard to service & cost is too high
Despite these long list of works, components & challenges, 100s of invisible engineers & water supply staff ensure water reaches your homes on time.
Many villages, specially small ones in geographically far-off & water scarce areas are hard to service & cost is too high
India's water infrastructure has MILES to go, but it has come MANY MANY miles as well.
Our growth has been too rapid, & to match it needs super powers :)
The dream is to have fountains in every city & village in Bharat where anyone can drink clean, healthy water for free. ⛲️🇮🇳
Our growth has been too rapid, & to match it needs super powers :)
The dream is to have fountains in every city & village in Bharat where anyone can drink clean, healthy water for free. ⛲️🇮🇳
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