Report of the national seminar on decentralized governance in water and sanitation in rural India organised by NIAR: Status and means of strengthening decentralized governance systems in India
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 were classified into the following four themes:
Focal Theme I: Status of decentralized governance system in WATSAN sector
Focal Theme II: Issues/Approaches/Initiatives : Strengthening governance system in WATSAN sector in rural India
Focal theme III: WATSAN sector in rural India: Key stakeholders, their concerns, roles and responsibilities
Focal Theme IV: WATSAN sector in rural India: Current and future challenges
The deliberations during the first two themes established during the seminar are presented below.
Focal Theme 1: Status of decentralized governance system in WATSAN sector
All the presenters emphasised the crucial role played by operation and maintenance systems. So far, lack of institutional management systems and adequate funding for O&M lead to unsatisfactory service delivery and 'slipping back' of covered habitations such as is evident in Rajasthan and Punjab.. It is also clear that good water governance requires good water sense at all levels, including the community responsibility of demand management. The Nenmei rural water supply scheme illustrates the benefits of a sound management and financing system.
Perspective on governance in the Indian water, sanitation and hygiene sectors: Hemant Khosla (presenter) and Aidan Cronin , WASH section, UNICEF
Sustainable drinking water and sanitation: Two Indian cases: Shantha Sheela Nair, State Planning Commission, Chennai and AL Radhakrishnan (presenter), Chennai Metrowater
Chennai also recycles its sewage. 5-10% of total water supplied, and 100% of industrial water is recycled. This water is sold to the petrochemical industries and generates revenue. Biogas production is carried out, which saves them Rs. 43 lakhs annually in power. The socio-economic benefits of this campaign, and the lessons learnt were explained.
Musiri is a town situated on the banks of the Cauvery and so has sufficient water. However, the high water table and paucity of land rendered the usual techniques of sewage treatment unsustainable. Ecosan was selected as a viable alternative for the town. The presentation explains in detail the concept, techniques and advantages of ecosan. This technique was adopted for the town. Compost and biogas as wall as liquid fertiliser were the very important by-products obtained due to this method. A community toilet with rainwater harvesting, compost chamber and a separate toilet for senior citizens and the handicapped has been constructed. It is maintained by the panchayat under the guidance of SCOPE. This has proved to be a viable, cost-effective and beneficial solution for the community.
Decentralizing water governance systems: Joysula Lakshmi, CGG Hyderabad
Office of the President and Secretary of the Nenmei RWSS (Courtesy: Kurian, Kurian and Thomas)
Decentralized governance and sustainable service delivery: A case of Nenmei rural water supply scheme, Kerala: PK Kurian of Jalanidhi, Kurian Baby of IRC and Thomas of Wilbersmith Associates (presenter)
Decentralized governance in water sector- The Rajasthan scenario : Hemant Joshi (presenter) and Suneet Sethi , CCDU Rajasthan
Decentralized governance for rural development in water and sanitation- a study of Gram Panchayats in SAS Nagar district, Punjab: Jaswinder Kaur (presenter), University of Technology and Namit Kumar, Punjab University
Focal Theme II: Issues/Approaches/Initiatives : Strengthening governance system in WATSAN sector in rural India
Including hydrological considerations is an important tool for ensuring sustainability of the source. The work of ACWADAM in developing field hydrologists to work in the villages was remarked upon.
As in water supply, in sanitation too, strengthening of PRIs and increasing participation in planning, execution and operation and maintenance is necessary to achieve sustainability.
Decentralization initiatives in RWSS sector in Uttarakhand: Kapil Lall, Swajal Project
The impacts of this for the state were seen in the building of local capacities, elimination of layers of bureaucracy, savings for the state exchequer, and greater availability of time for the line department since the GP took O&M upon itself. The community experienced greater control of its water resources, reduction in coping cost, less time between system failures and lesser drudgery for women.
Source sustainability of drinking water schemes- Role of hydrology: VC Goyal (presenter) and RD Singh, National Institute of Hydrology
Hydrology provides the basis for study, understanding of interactions between surface and groundwater systems, and understanding of the way water acts. The science studies rainwater, surface water, soil moisture and ground water. The way forward is to analyse climate change pressure on drinking water supply systems, understand and incorporate hydrology in implementing rural water supply schemes, capacity building and sensitization of stakeholders, and sustainability in drinking water supply schemes.
Sustainability evaluation of community managed rural water schemes: Kapil Lall, Swajal Project, and VK Sinha (presenter) SWSM
One of Almora's endangered naulas (Courtesy: Kothyari, Dhyani, Bisht)
Improved management of water- Key to achieve the goal of total sanitation : BP Kothyari(presenter), Dr. PP Dhyani, of GPIHED and BS Bisht, NIAR
Achievement of WATSAN goals depend on sustainability of water sources and quality control. This can be improved by population and infiltration measures, catchment area protection and eco-restoration. Strengthening of PRIs and increasing participation in planning, execution and operation and maintenance is necessary.
Innovative approaches to decentralized rural water supply systems: Renu Gera, Development Alternatives
Read the report for themes III and IV here.
Video recordings of a few selected talks can be accessed here.
Download the presentations for themes I and II below: