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NIAR organised a two-day conference on 'Decentralized governance in water and sanitation in rural India' at LBSNAA, Mussoorie, in June 2012. This seminar aimed to provide a platform for the effective sharing of experiences of PRI-implemented WATSAN service delivery programmes and so understand the various factors affecting the effective decentralisation of water and sanitation. The discussions during the latter two themes are presented below.
Water and sanitation impacts health, education and governance. It is therefore necessary to not look at WATSAN as a separate issue, but link it with these sectors and programmes. Similarly, the benefits of looking at WATSAN delivery from a service approach that is driven by the consumers was illustrated using the Orissa example. Similarly, the success of CLAWSES in Uttarakhand illustrates the efficacy of community involvement in water quality monitoring and surveillance.
The presentation described the roles and functions of DWSM and DWSC which includes formulation, management and monitoring of projects, selection of agencies, sensitization of representatives, engaging capacity building institutions, and coordination with various agencies. Similarly, the role and functions of VWSC were also elaborated upon. This includes ensuring community participation, arranging community contribution, supervision, commissioning and takeover of WATSAN works, collection of funds for O&M, managing and financing O&M, participation in HRD and IEC activities in other villages after completion of scheme in own village, and creating awareness.
Traditional groups like those of Kirtan singers are an important tool to promote sanitation and hygiene (courtesy: Dr.Mapuskar)
Innovative contracts including water assurance, total warranty schemes and hand pump leasing schemes may improve transparency and service provision. To do this, private sector needs to be engaged with. Recommendations:
Urban technologies like conventional sewerage systems cannot be transferred to rural settings. Conventional sewage disposal is also problematic in urban settings since they not only use a tremendous quantity of water, but also pollute ground and surface water. The parameters to be evaluated while selecting appropriate technologies are listed in the presentation. The expertise required, lacunae in human resources and knowledge, and means of developing the necessary technologies are described. Mr. Mapuskar recommends that technology choice should be left to the community with proper capacity building.
The following changes were implemented:
The key factors for success were constant commitment and support from government, MRC technical support, support from local businesses, and active local leadership.
The challenges being faced right now are an increased dependence on the MRC and NGOs, a lack of women in technical positions, no male in gender working group, lack of experience on PRA and project management, and lack of IWRM competencies.
The Assam experience details the necessity of providing PRIs with material support in the form of money and required chemicals. Similarly, the odds faced by gram panchayats and the importance of providing them with adequate training and institutional support is illustrated by the Karnataka experience. Increased involvement of communities, utilization of properly constructed infrastructure and a detailed assessment of availability of water resources is necessary for effective implementation of WATSAN services. Use of popular media to promote the message of hygiene is also stressed. Convergence can be achieved by setting up coordination mechanisms, capacity building of functionaries, and identifying of key components for convergence.
Strategies for improving sanitation coverage include focusing on districts with a high concentration of open defecators, and on districts with high female literacy. An innovative health insurance product linked to sanitation for households in lower income quintiles is also recommended.
The main challenges are lack of awareness, trust and cooperation amongst the stakeholders. The other issues are delays in release of funds (both incentive and remuneration of the Jal surakshaks), non-replenishment of reagents and intermittent power supply.
In Malaysia, the water asset management company acquires all water resources from the state and provides water services. There is a focus on surface water for urban water supplies as well as rural. For rural areas, there is a focus on connections to existing facilities. The ministry of rural & regional development and the Ministry of Health responsible for water supply &alternative water supply, and water quality surveillance, water supply and environmental sanitation respectively.
The obstacles to successful provision of water supply are difficulty of access to water supply and sanitation facilities, old projects, poor participation, lack of proper technologies, frequent damage to intakes due to rain, and need for improved assessment in provision of water services. The author recommended increased involvement of communities, utilization of properly constructed spring capture for gravity feed system, improved intakes to GFS, and a detailed assessment of availability of water resources to improve the situation. Various recommended technologies were explained. Many options for rural water supply schemes are available. However, suitable technology needs to applied. In order to make an informed choice, institutional transformation and awareness raising is necessary.
80% of rural morbidity in India is due to lack of safe drinking water (Courtesy: Joe Madiath and Anusha Bharadwaj)
In the Gram Vikas programme 'MANTRA' water and sanitation becomes a vehicle for social inclusion. The methodology of the project was discussed, as was the sustainability the project aims for. It aims for institutional, social, financial and environmental sustainability. Payment for water is done on a volumetric basis. Gram Vikas has experienced that behavioural change is easier when there is 100% coverage. Source sustainability is a part of the project, and in times of drought, water supply is given priority.
Independent variables impacting toilet use are percent literate female population, percent literate male population, households with BPL cards, households with piped drinking water, cumulative TSC expenditure in the district. Of these, water supply has the most significant impact on toilet use, followed by female literacy. One impact of this study is that now the government has decided to treat water supply and sanitation together, rather than as separate entities. This study concludes that it is preferable to focus on districts with higher concentration of open defecators in terms of numbers rather than percentage. Focus on districts with high female literacy will lead to initial success, which will also motivate the project as a whole. The author recommends developing an innovative health insurance product linked to sanitation for households in lower income quintiles.
Three case studies where successful decentralisation of water supply and sanitation were carried out were discussed which highlight the importance of community involvement including the use of traditional systems of management and the indispensable role of women.
A demand driven sanitation movement was led by the Ramkrishna Mission, UNICEF, and local PRIs in Medinipur in 1990. The programme focused on sensitising the entire community on safe sanitation and its effects on economy and health. A network of CBOs and sanitation motivators was developed. Initially, the CBOs and NGOs were given the primary role in implementation. From 1995, PRIs began playing primary role in the sanitation movement. Education, awareness, and informed choice was the basis of the project. Accordingly, the community was given a choice of different toilet models.
Read the discussions for themes I and II here.
Video recordings of a few selected talks can be accessed here.
Download the presentations for themes III and IV below: