A major challenge of India’s urbanization is the provision of a continuous water supply with 100% household coverage and sustainable service delivery. In most cities, the urban population suffers from intermittent water supply services with partial coverage, limited connection to households, and water quality issues.
Poor water supply services create a downward spiral. Insufficient revenue for scientific system maintenance and improvement, and further service deterioration leaves customers unwilling to pay water tariffs. New infrastructure often fail to sustain quality water services because of the service provider’s lack of technical, institutional, and financial capacity. They also receive limited social support.
To holistically address these challenges and issues, the State of Karnataka with ADB support implemented continuous and pressurized drinking water supply schemes in the arid region of Karnataka. Ilkal was the first town to commission a 24x7 water supply scheme, and demonstrated that the vision of 24x7 could be realized in developing countries by means of (i) sound strategies, (ii) participatory planning, (iii) innovative PPP contract modality, which is grounded and designed considering the contract administering capacity of the small urban local body, and (iv) good technical planning coupled with strategies for community participation to build a broad based consensus.
This Event will be streamed LIVE on the Institute of Water Policy Facebook page. Do note there is a change in date. Please visit the
page on 17th May, 11am to view the Livestream.