New at Castalia

Trouble on the water front

TNN - Mumbai
by Clara Lewis, 17/03/07  

Mumbai: Water distribution losses of up to 40% in one ward and only 7% in another, an apparently decent supply to slum dwellers, no contamination in an entire ward—these are some of the findings of a water study recently shown to BMC authorities on a preliminary basis.

BMC sources, who received the unofficial preview earlier this month, said they are sceptical of the findings as it seems to show that the current water supply system is doing the job commendably. But the consultants who oversaw the study, Castalia, maintained that though some errors had crept in, only minor tweaking was necessary to adjust the results.

The study assumes significance as it is part of the project to achieve one of the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals — to have 24-hour water supply in all metros by 2015. The World Bank (WB), which feels that privatisation of water supply would help achieve that goal efficiently, commissioned and funded the Rs 3.2-crore study after the Centre approved the UN goals.

Privatisation of the water supply is a highly controversial issue, with a plan to introduce the same in Delhi hanging fire after protests there.

The Mumbai study focused on the K-East Ward (Andheri, Jogeshwari and Vile Parle), where privatisation of water supply, would be first taken up on a pilot basis. The aim was to identify problems in the distribution and plug the leaks during privatisation. However, at the preliminary presentation of the findings, it was said that total water leakage in K-East Ward is 40%. The BMC found this ridiculous, as it would mean that 114 million litres of water a day (mld), out of 288 mld supplied to the ward, was being lost.

Civic sources have turned the argument around and said that the high loss calculated in K-East actually shows overall city supply in a good light. Officials argued that it is accepted that the city loses 550 mld out 3,250 mld—or 40%. "If the loss in K-East alone is 114 mld, then overall our service is very good," said a civic official tongue-in-cheek. "This means that if we attended to the problems in K-East alone, our overall problem would stand resolved to a large extent."

However, Castalia downplayed the criticism by saying that errors crept in because all the facts about K-East’s water system were not known.

Castalia CEO David Ehrhardt said, "After discussions with the BMC we realised that K-East is also a major supplier to other wards. This means another 252 mld flows through K-East and some of the 114 mld leaks from that. The loss for K-East alone can be recalculated at 21% and a margin of error of 10% is allowed," he said.

Another finding which shocked the BMC was that not one water sample, out of 100 taken from across the ward, showed contamination. Ehrhardt said the consultants are now taking new samples.

Yet another ‘pat’ to the BMC was the data showing a high supply to slums. The study states that planned buildings get 240 litres per capita (person) a day, while slums get 130 litres per capita. "The BMC does not supply more than 90 litres per capita in the slums and in some areas it is as low as 45 litres per capita. So to suggest that slum dwellers get sufficient water is preposterous," said a civic official. But Ehrhardt said K-East’s slums are better off than those in other areas.

The BMC’s current water supply system receives another pat with the finding that water loss in the neighbouring K-West (Andheri-West) and H-West (Bandra-West) wards is only 7%. But civic officials received a jolt to hear that they had been billing H-East (Bandra-East) residents for more water (140 mld) than what they supplied (110 mld).

While BMC sources said the study’s methodology and findings appear flawed, Ehrhardt said if water is to be supplied 24/7, then the system has to be improved. Even though the city loses only 16% during distribution, while cities in developed countries lose 20%, the latter "supply water for 24 hours a day and at pressures more than those used by the BMC", Ehrhardt said. "If the BMC were to supply water for longer periods and at higher pressures, then the losses with the current system would be higher," he added.

Sources said the BMC is miffed with having to act on questionable studies. However, they said displeasing a financial godfather like the World Bank, which commissioned the study, would not be wise. Another point irking the BMC is that the consultants did not measure how much the civic body loses in non-metered areas as the study only focused on metered supply. But Ehrhardt said, "This is because only when a meter is in place can consumption be measured accurately."

Interestingly, Castalia sub-contracted Black & Veatch to do the actual data collection and collation. B&V had done an operations and maintenance study for the BMC in the past, but the BMC, citing discrepancies, did not accept it. Following that, the BMC had not given B&V any work.

Slip sliding along

• Finding: Consultant says 40% of water distributed in K-East Ward is lost in distribution. This means 114 mld out of 288 mld is lost
  BMC says: 550 mld is lost across city in a day. K-East calculation appears exaggerated
  Consultant says: After further research, K-East figure may be tweaked to 21%, with a 10% margin of error
• Finding: No contamination in 100 water samples taken from across K-East
  BMC says: Impossible
  Consultant says: New samples being taken
• Finding: Planned buildings get 240 litres per capita (person) a day, while slums get 130 litres per capita
  BMC says: ‘Preposterous’ to say slum dwellers get enough water. Supply is 90 litres per capita in slums; in some areas as low as 45 litres per capita
  Consultant says: K-East slums are better off than those in other parts of city
• Finding: Water loss in K-West (Andheri West) and H-West (Bandra-West) is only 7%
  BMC says: That means current system is doing well
• Finding: H-East (Bandra-East) gets 110 mld, but BMC bills residents for 140 mld
  BMC says: No comment
• Finding: No water supply studied in non-metered areas
  BMC says: Civic body needs to know what financial losses in these areas are
  Consultant says: Only when a meter is in place can consumption be measured

Privitisation Pill: Bitter or better

Pros:

• Civic staff is susceptible to the power of politics and money when handing out projects like laying of water pipes. Privatisation may help plug this leak, leading to efficient, increased supply
• Schemes may be started faster, more professionally
• Investors will want money’s worth and not be interested in recurring maintenance costs. This could lead to better operations and supervision.
• More stress on training personnel, planning projects

Cons:

• May result in skyrocketing charges; those unable to pay bills may face water cut
• BMC or state will have to guarantee payments to companies even if consumption/prices are not sufficient to ensure profit
• Globally, companies backed by World Bank have bent rules that require permits for taking water from community wells; at places, permission is even required to gather rainwater on someone’s property