out with the help of leading consultants in the field on
6 contract basis shortly. The results of the studies
WATER SUPPLY & SANITATION
Water supply and sanitation are basic necessities
affecting the qwality of life in urban areas. The growth
of cities/towns, depletion and pollution of water
sources, competing demands for fresh water, lack of
adequate finance, low cost recovery, engineering and
management problems are omnipresent in varying
degrees throughout the country.
Urban Water Supply & Sanitation Policy
2. Realising the difficulties faced by the Public Health
Engineering Departments/Water Supply & Sanitation
Boards in the State Governments and Union Ter-
ritories, the Ministry of Urban Development organised
the National Conference on Urban Water Supply &
Sanitation Policy in New Delhi from 11 th to 13th
March, 1993. The organisational expenses was
financed by the World Health Organisation. The
basic objective of the Conference was to give a new
direction and identify a set of reforms needed to
energise, the Improvement of the sector. The Confer-
ence was attended by the concerned Secretaries,
Chief Engineers from the State Governments/Union
Territories, Central Government officials, sector pro-
fessionals from public/private enterprises and inter-
national organisations. The various issues were
deliberated through separate Working Groups and
their recommendations were considered and adopted
by the Ministers/representatives from the State Gov-
ernments present in the meeting and presided over
by the Minister for Urban Development.
2.1 The recommendations of the Conference: a copy
of which is available at Annexure 1, have been
circulated by the Ministry to all Chief Ministers/
Governors for appropriate action, The Ministry has
also constituted a Core Group to generally devote
time and attention to the follow-up measures needed
as well as to oversee the task of conducting detailed
studies on (i) Financing of urban water supply and
sanitation, (ii) Tariff fixation, (iii) Institutional
framework, (iv) Water resources management and
(v) Operation and maintenance. The terms of refer-
ence have been finalised. The studies will be carried
would provide further guidance to the State Govern-
ments/UTs on the approach/strategies to be fol-
lowed.
Low Cost Sanitation for Liberation of Scavengers
3. This Centrally sponsored scheme is being
implemented by the Ministry since 1989-90 through
the Housing & Urban Development Corporation
(HUDCO). Subsidy from the Central Government and
loans from HUDCO are released in a syncrhonised
manner to the State Implementing Agencies for
conversion of dry latrines into pour flush water seal
latrines and construction of new sanitary units on a
‘whole town’ basis for the liberation of scavengers.
During 1992-93, the Ministry had released Rs. 21.62
crores to HUDCO to meet the subsidy component. In
the current financial year, there is a provision of Rs.
25.80 crores which will be released to HUDCO by
March, 1994 after assessing the progress and utilisa
tion of funds.
3.1 During 1993-94 (upto December 1993), new
schemes covering 53 towns have been sanctioned
by HUDCO at a cost of Rs. 135.05 crores, which
includes a subsidy of Rs. 39.09 crores and loan of
Rs. 51.57 crores. The balance amount is to be met
either by the State Governments/Municipalities or
the beneficiaries. These schemes cover conversion
of 2,34,066 dry latrines and construction of 2,08,425
new sanitary units, which would liberate 16,341
scavengers. The number of units completed during
the current year are given below:-
Conversion ,19,738
Construction of new latries 19,459
Community latrines 464
In addition, 21,627 units for conversion, 5605 new
construction and 94 community latrines are in diffe-
rent stages of progress. Schemes worth Rs. 25crores
more are likely to be sanctioned during the remaining
period of three months of this financial year.
3.2 During 1992-93, 51 schemes were sanctioned
costing Rs. 34.92 crores which included subsidy of
Rs. 14.67 crores and loan of Rs. 13.5 crores, for
conversion and construction of 1,53,347 units. The
total number of units completed upto the end of
1992-93 are as follows:-
Conversion 4,978
Construction 30,103
Community latrines 2,720
25
3.3 An important milestone achieved is the enact-
ment of the “Employment of Manual Scavengers and
Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act 1993”
making employment of manual scavengers a punish-
able offence. The Act was passed in May 1993 and
assented to by the President on 6th June, 1993. So
far four States, viz., Gujarat, Karnataka, Keraia and
Tripura have declared themselves as scavenger free.
About 500 towns thraughout the country have been
made scavenger free.
3.4 As the involvement of women is crucial for the
successful impiementation of the programme relating
to Low Cost Sanitation, the Ministry with the assist-
ance of WHO have taken up a study through a NGO
regarding gender sensitisation. The first step taken in
this direction is to conduct a baseline survey in two
towns of Uttar Pradesh viz. Builandshahar and Garh-
mukteshwar.
Accelerated Urban Water Supply Programme
4. This is a new Centrally sponsored scheme intro-
duced during the 8th Five Year Plan for improving
the drinking water supply in towns having population
of less than 20,000 (1991 census). The cost of
implementation is to be shared between tne Centre
and the States in the ratio of 50 : 50. There are
approximately 2,251 towns in this category and the
provision of funds required on pro-rata basis is
estimated at Rs. 2,000 crores approximately. As
against this, the provision of Central assistance
earmarked for this scheme during the 8th Five Year
Plan and 1993-94 is Rs. 50 crores and Rs. 12 crores
respectively. in view of the huge deficit of resources,
the Ministry had convened a meeting with the Sec-
retaries concerned in the State Government/UTs to
ascertain their views in supplementing resources
from external agencies, such as the World Bank, The
meeting drew mixed reaction from the participants.
Most of the participants were not in favour of loan
assistance from the World Bank in view of their rigid
conditionalities.
4.1 The Central assistance programme in its present
form is awaiting approval of the Cabinet Committee
on Economic Affairs and is expected to be launched
with the resources available with the Centre and the
States in the current financial year.
Soitd Waste Management (SWM)
5. The need for proper solid waste management
(SWM) strategies has been engaging the attention of
the Government of India. This has also been
reflected in the 8th Plan document. in pursuance of
26
this, a demonstrative project on SWM has been
taken up in Panaji town by the Government of Goa
and the local authority with technical and financial
assistance from the UNDP/World Bank and this
Ministry. The main objectives of this project are to (a)
demostrate the benefits of community participation in
SWM; (b) develop a suitable SWM model with least
cost hardware investment which is largely repiicable
elsewhere in India with local variations; and (c)
disseminate the project experiences at the State and
National Levels. The project has been taken up for
implementation by the State Government and is likely
to be completed by December 1994. Financial con-
tribution from this Ministry would be around Ms. 10 to
12 lakhs approximately.
PHE Trainlng Programme
6. Human Resource Development continues to be
one of the important activities of the Ministry. Assist-
ance of the UNDP/World Bank-RWSG-SA has been
sought for reviewing and restructuring the existing
training programmes in the sector. Their report is
under preparation.
6.1 Central assistance was provided by the Ministry
to recognised engineering colleges and institutions
for conducting post graduate, short term and
refresher courses in Public Health Engineering during
1993-94. A sum of Rs. 26.87 iakhs has already been
released for this purpose. An additional Rs. 20 lakhs
is likely to be released during January to March
1994. More than 1400 in-service engineers and
technical personnel have benefitted from this prog-
ramme. During 1992-93, a sum of Rs. 30 lakhs
approximately was sanctioned and released.
6.2 Besides Central assistance, the Ministry deputed
34 Public Health Engineers and officials from the
State Governments/UTs, etc. for advanced training
programmes in the United Kingdom under the Col-
ombo Plan and 12 candidates for study tours abroad
in the United States of America, United Kingdom and
South East Asia under the WHO fellowship prog-
ramme. 4 officials were also sponsored for Semi-
nars/Conferences abroad under WHO assistance.
Research & Development
7. The Ministry provides Central assistance for
research activities to organisations such as the
National Environmental Engineering Research insti-
tute, Nagpur, etc. after their proposals have been
accepted and approved by the Research Committee
in this Ministry. Out of the 18 on-going research
projects, 4 have been completed till December 1993.
These are (i) Study of solid waste management in
Pilgrim towns (ii) Performance evaiuation of Water
Distribution Systems in seven selected cities of India
(iii) Developing a method to extract fresh water from
sea coast aquifers & (iv) Field application of Rapid
Faecal coliform Test kit for Water Analysis. 4 other
research projects are expected to be completed by
March, 1994. Three new projects are under consider-
ation during 1993-94. Rs. 7.60 lakhs has been
released by the Ministry for the on-going research
projects and another Rs. 5 lakhs is likely to be
released during January to March 1994. During
1932-93, the amount of Central assistance released
was Rs. 13 lakhs approximately.
Seminars/Conferences
8. A Technica! Conference of Chief Engineers and
Managing Directors of Urban Water Supply and
Sanitation Agencies in the country was held at
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala on the 24th and 25th
September, 1993. The Conference was organised by
the CPHEEO in collaboration with the Kerala Water
Authority. The organisatiorial expenses was financed
by the World Health Organisation. The objective of
the Conference was to discuss and finalise the
revised draft on the Manual on Sewerage and Sew-
age treatment. The recommendations of the National
Conference on Urban Water Supply and Sanitation
Policy held in March 1993 were also highlighted in
this Conference.
8.1 A Seminar on Micro-Tunnelling vis-a-vis Trench-
less Technology was organised by the Ministry in
collaboration with the National Building Construction
Corporation Ltd. and the World Bank at the Scope
Complex, New Delhi on the 16th and 17th December
1993. The Seminar was attended by officials from
the Central and State Governments, Public and
Private Construction Companies/Consultants, the
World Bank and other international organisations.
The Seminar provided a useful forum to disseminate
information on the development of this technology, its
wide application in Singapore, and scope for intro-
duction in India. The technology is applicable for
laying water supply pipes, sewers and other under-
ground utility lines without having to resort to open
trench construction method which is marked by
various disturbing effects and environmental problem
in the congested urban areas, It was recommended
in the Seminar that a Technical Committee may be
constituted to examine the feasibility and financial
viability of transferring this technology to India and to
draw up an action plan. Further action is in progress.
8.2 The Urban and Water Annual Seminar will be
orgainsed by the Ministry in collaboration with the
World Bank at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi on the
11 th and 12th March, 1994. It would provide an
opportunity to the officials and professionals from the
Urban Development, Water Supply/Sanitation and
Transportation sector to interact, highlight innovative
experiences and disseminate information on the
World Bank aided projects. Besides this, a workshop
to demonstrate the computer software on the sub-
system of Solid Waste Management will be organ-
ised by the CPHEEO for field engineers. The compu-
ter software has been developed with the assistance
of NEERI, Nagpur under the R&D project.
Management Information System
9. In order to have better and timely information flow
from the States/UTs pertaining to Urban Water
Supply and Sanitation, the Ministry has developed
Management Information System softwares on (i)
Planning; (ii) Finance; (iii) Project monitoring; (iv)
Inventory control; (v) Personnel; and (vi) Operation
and maintenance. These softwares have been sup-
plied to the concerned State agencies for collection
and compilation of data at the field level. Workshops/
meetings on MIS have been conducted by the
CPHEEO for senior level engineers.
External Assistance
10. A list of on-going World Bank aided projects is
enclosed at Annexure II. Although the con-
ditionalities/convenants under the World Bank pro-
cedures are quite rigid and cumbersome, yet it has
brought home the advantages of substantial inflow of
foreign exchange, access to international bidders/
consultants, emphasis on quality construction, effi-
cient management, monitoring, cost recovery and
institutional development.
10.1 The concerned State Governments and the
Ministry have been pursuing the following project
proposals for possible external assistance from the
World Bank, etc.:-
(Rs. in cfofes)
(i) Veeranam/ll Madras Supply project 410.55
(ii) III Madras Water Supply and Environ- 1105.193
mental Sanitation project
(iii) Second Rajasthan Water Supply & 442.04
Sewerage project
(iv) II Andhra Pradesh Water Supply and 640.00
Sewerage project
(v) Bombay Sewage Disposal project 414-480.00
(Vi) II Maharashtra Water Supply & Sewer- 863.00
age project
27
 (vii) Bombay IV Middle Vaitama Water Sup- 566.67
ply Project
(viii) lnsitu Lining of Water trunk Mains in 265.36
Madras City
Technical Clearance of Urban Water Supply &
Sanitation Schemes.
11. A list of schemes cleared by the Central Public
Health and Environmental Engineering Organisation
(CPHEEO) in the Ministry from technical angle during
1993-94 is appended at Annexure II I.
Manuals on Water Supply & Treatment and
Sewerage & Sewage Treatment
12. The Manual on Water Supply and Treatment has
been revised, updated and published for the benefit
of in-service engineers in the preparation, execution,
operation and maintenance of water supply schemes.
It would also be of great help to other Public Health
Engineers, students and teachers. The Manual on
Sewerage & Sewage Treatment has been updated
and discussed with the Chief Engineers and Manag-
ing Directors in the Technical Conference held at
Thiruvananthapuram. It has been further edited and
will be printed shortly.

Recommendations
The National Conference on Urban Water Supply
and Sanitation was convened from 11 th to 13th
March, 1993. The objective of the Conference was to
give a new direction in the sphere of urban water
supply and sanitation and to identify a set of reforms
to enable the sector to attract funds from institutions
taking into account the needs of the sector and the
upsurge in the urban population as has been
reflected in the census reports.
2. The Conference was attended by Secretaries of
the State Governments, concerned Cheif Engineers
and Managing Directors of Water Supply and Sewer-
age Boards, Departments, Corporations to deliberate
on the Conference issues related to the sector. The
discussions were divided into four Working groups
which are as follows:
1. Financial issues and cost recovery.
2. Institutional autonomy and human resources
development.
3. Technical issues.
4. Environment and water resources.
Based on the presentations of the Working Groups,
the following are recommended for adoption in the
Urban Water supply and Sanitation Policy.
(1) As the availability of plan funds are far too short
of the requirement of the sector, it is recommended
that the principle of full cost recovery should be
adopted. The water supply and sanitation sector is to
be recognised as utility services to enable the sector
to become seff-sustaining.
(2) Adequate subsidy should, however, be provided
in a transparent manner and with better targetting to
meet the basii minimum requirement of the poor and
in locations where capital costs are high.
(3) Efforts must also be simultaneously made for
cost reduction by effecting savings on manpower,
energy consumption, reduction in unaccounted for
water, improvement in billing and collection, etc.
Substantial cost reduction can also be achieved in
overhead and supervision charges of the implement-
ing agencies.
(4) Water Supply and Sanitation Agencies, including
the local bodii, should be given full autonomy for
determination of tariffs with the provision for automa-
tic annual increase to cover the cost.
(5) Tariff fixation should be based on average incre -
Annexure I
mental cost including O&M cost, depreciation
charges, debt dues, etc.
(6) There should be a separation of accounts for
urban water supply agencies where such separation
does not exist and switch to commercial accounting
system.
(7) To ensure debt servicing at affordable limits,
lending agencies may prescribe repayment, on
annuity basis, over longer repayment period and with
initial moratorium. The financial institutions may,
however, need Government assistance for extending
this benefit to the borrowing agencies.
(8) The efforts of Government of India for launching
Centrally sponsored accelerated urban water supply
programme for smaller towns having a population of
less than 20,000 from the year 199394 was appreci-
ated. It was strongly recommended that the alloca-
tion for this scheme should be substantially stepped
up and should not be merged with any other Cent-
rally assisted/sponsored scheme by the Ministry of
Urban Development.
(9) There should be an institutional arrangement at
the State level under the chairmanship of Chief
Minister for facilitating integrated planning and utilisa-
tion of water resources in association with all con-
cerned Departments.
(10) The State level sector agencies should continue
to plan and implement capital works with the respon-
sibility for distribution resting with the local bodies
within policy guidelines to be laid down by the State
Government. This would, however, not preclude
large metro cities which have their own agencies for
execution, operation and maintenance.
(11) The State Government should confer greater
autonomy to the sector agencies with relation to
financial management and operational issues within
the overall framework of the annual action plan and
guidelines for this may be formulated by the Ministry
of Urban Development.
(12) State level institutions should associate the
local bodies and the community at large, if possible,
from the stage of planning of water supply and
sanitation schemes, to instill in the latter a sense of
participation right from the beginning and secure
commitments for future sustainable operation of the
system.
(13) The Ministry of Urban Development may
appropriately take up with Ministry of Finance for
29
discontinuing the system of getting technical clear-
ance for projects financed by the LIC.
(14) The State Government should explore the pos-
sibility of using the plan funds as an incentive for
better performance on the part of local bodies.
(15) While recognising that the chances of success
of privatisation are greater in O&M, privatisation
could be introduced for new installations initially and
extended gradually to the others.
(16) There is a need for uniform policy and guideli-
nes at the national level regarding Human Resource
Development for water supply and sanitation sector.
(17) There is a need for developing a National Data
Bank on Man power Requirement, availability and
training needs for water supply and sanitation sec-
tor. A coordinated approach at the national level
amongst the concerned Ministries is necessary for
developing a suitable curriculum and training of
faculty in the engineering colleges, polytechnics,
ITIs, etc.
(18) The Ministry of Urban Development may iden-
tify national / regional institutes with adequate back-
ground in water supply and sanitation sector needs
which would collaborate with regional Technical
Teachers Training, Institute (TlTI) / community poly-
technic network to undertake to develop a national
network for trainers training at graduate, diploma
and certificate levels.
(19) Each organisation at the State/ local body level
should be encouraged to have its own training plan
and adequate infrastructural facilities commensurate
with the work plan. Special emphasis should be
given to the need for skill upgradation for the
personnel responsible for O&M.
(20) The Human Resource Development prog-
ramme must endeavour to enhance user sensitivity
on the part of O&M staff and increase public aware-
ness which will promote NGO & consumer participa-
tion with respect to protection of assets and improve
service delivery.
(21) The HRD should not be treated in isoiation but
should be integrated with personnel management,
performance review, career planning and manage-
ment succession.
(22) The issue of incentive structure to the trainees
and staff needs to be examined to encourage effec-
tive participation and better utilisation of training
facilities. State Governments should ensure the full
30
utilisation of training facilities provided by the iden-
tified institutes.
(23) The Ministry of Urban Development may in
consultation with the State/ Local Government
develop appropriate training for the elected rep-
resentatives at various levels.
(24) To ensure strong data base, all utilities should
furnish to Ministry of Urban Dev’elopment, Data on
Management Information System as per format
already instituted. Release of Central grants will be
subject to receipt of MIS. Wa recognise that prepa-
ration and updating of this utility feature is essential.
(25) Base maps for all urban sectors should be
created through Aerial Mapping. Various agencies
should then mark the service lines and update it
periodically.
(26) CPHEEO Manual will be treated as design
guidelines. Individual projects would, however, be
designed with relevance to factors of source poten-
tial and affordability.
(27) Specifications of Bureau of Indian Standards
will be treated as guidelines and project proposals
could provide for improved specifications and testing
procedures to suit site requirements.
(28) Utilities should furnish feed back on specifica-
tions for materials used in varidus systems based
on field experience. This will facilitate Bureau of
Indian Stanaards to redefine the specifications.
(29) Standardisation of bidding documents by each
State is desirable to simplify bidding procedures. All
contract documents should provide for settlement of
disputes/arbitration.
(30) Quality control of materials should be ensured
by inspection through third party by recognised
agencies apart from DGS & D, Quality Control of
construction is recommended by an independent
agency either in house or third party.
(31) A centralised Project Management Cell should
be instituted for all major projects.
(32) Internative technologies for low/medium instal-
lations like USAB, LEMNA, Wetlands and Karnal
systems should be encouraged as they ensure less
energy inputs. Conventional sewage treatment
plants should have infrastructure additions for cost
realisation through gas utilisation, pisciculture or
forestry.
(33) Regular unaccounted for water (UFW) prog-
ramme is encouraged. However, programme for
reduction in UFW should be a constituent for all new
proposals for augmentation.
(34) New proposals for augmentation should also
have detailed review and recommendations on prop-
osals for rehabilitation of existing systems.
(35) The system should be m intained on a continu-
ous basis. For this purpose, co mprehensive metering
is recognised as a necessar y policy but, however,
the performance of meters is not satisfactory even
though they bear the ISI mark. There IS an urgent
need for revision of specifications by Bureau of
Indian Standards.
(36) To reduce leakage, it is necessary for water
utilities to own and maintain the service connections
at their cost.
(37) The National Water Policy accorded top priority
to drinking water supply in the allocation/apportion-
ing of available water sources for various beneficial
uses, As such, the State Governments and UT
administrations may soon prepare long-term river
basin Master Plans, following the guidelines issued
by the Ministry of Water Resources, Government of
India. At the same time, city level water management
systems need to be prepared keeping in view the
various developmental activities for the next 20 years
or so.
(38) In order to operationalise and implement the
National Water Policy in an effective manner at the
State level, inter sectoral committees comprising of
members from various water using sectors may be
constituted to decide allocation of water for different
purposes.
(39) To the extent possible, water sources which are
available close to urban areas, may preferably be
reserved/allocated for drinking/domestic use.
(40) Over exploitation of ground water must be
avoided to control deterioration of its quality and
reduce cost of pumping.
(41) Proper legislation followed by effective
implementation is urgently needed to control and
regulate ground water extraction particularly in all
such urban areas which are facing acute shortage of
drinking water throughout the year.
(42) Concerted effort should be made to enforce/
implement the Environmental Protection Act effec-
tively so as to protect the traditional sources from
contamination.
(43) Adequate infrastructure may be created at city
level and zonal level for monitoring the quality of
drinking water and its control.
(44) Ganga Action Plan has yielded good results in
protecting the river Ganges from pollution. As such,
similar programmes may be taken up in a phased
manner or cleaning other rivers in the country so as
to maintain them free from contamination.
(45) City-level consumer formus and voluntary agen-
cies may be encouraged to keep a vigil on the water
sources to prevent possible contamination and rnake
periodical reporting to the concerned water supply
agency for appropriate action well in advance.
(46) Low cost on-site sanitation should be encour-
aged in unsewered part of the cities, in small and
medium towns and other areas where locations
permit. Conventional sewerage treatment systems
may be unavoidable in bigger cities and congested
localities. Policy selection should, therefore, be made
judiciously.
(47) Re-use of sewage after the desired degree of
treatment for horticulture, flushing of sewers and
toilets, airconditioning, cooling and several other
industrial uses must be introduced extensively to
conserve fresh water and to reduce pollution load in
the receiving water body.
(48) As fresh water sources are fast depleting,
effective measures must be taken including rain
water harvesting to conserve water at different
stages such as at source, in treatment process,
distribution and at consumers’ end by adopting well
established methods.
(49) Industries and commercial establishments must
be persuaded to adopt re-use of treated sewage and
recycle tbeir treated trade effluents to the maximum
extent possible to cut down their fresh water de-
mand.
(50) Incentives in the form of rebate on water cess
and other taxes could be considered from the quan-
tum of fresh water conserved by adopting re-use and
recycling processes.
(51) Toxic, hazardous and recyclable waste collec-
tion and disposal system to be given emphasis for
segregated treatment.
(52) Realising the special problems being faced in
hilly and desert areas of the country with regard to
provision of safe drinking water supply and sanitation
facilities, Group recommends that special attention
must be paid to provide such facilities and preserve
the environment.
 Annexure II

WORLD/BANK AIDED WATER SUPPLY AND SANITATION PROJECTS

SI. Name of Project cost Amount of assistance Date of Credit closing date Cumula- Cumula-
No. Project (Rs. in Crores) (US $ Million) com- tive Ex- tive dis-
mence- Original Revised penditure burse-
Original Revised Original Revised ment upto ment upto
31 .12.93 31 .12.93
(Rs. in (US $ Mil-
Crs.) lion)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

1. Tamil 149.42 321.86 73.0 90.60 22.2.85 30.6.90 31 .12.94 273.52 67.123
Nadu
WS&S
2. Kerala 93.66 127.88 41 .o 30.11 9.12.85 31.3.91 31.3.94 96.94 24.314
MIS&S
3. III 396.0 800.00 185.0 - 12.5.87 30.6.94 - 474.02 67.460
Bombay
WS&S
4. Madras 150.803 205.00 69.0 - 1.4.86 31 .12.95 - 120.32 20.033
WS&S
5. Hyderabad 257.06 - 89.9 - 1.1090 31.3.98 - 104.62 32.293
WS&S