INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES Volume 1, No 6, 2011 Copyright 2010 All rights reserved Integrated Publishing Association Research article ISSN 0976 4402 Sustainable Water Supply Policy for Jaipur City Jethoo A.S 1, Poonia M.P 2 1 Associate professor, Department of Civil Engineering, 2 Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Malaviya National Institute of Technology Jaipur (India) asjethoo@gmail.com ABSTRACT In the last few years, the ground water level in Rajasthan is going down rapidly. Due to intense heat, the dams are drying up resulting in severe water crisis particularly in city like Jaipur where drinking water supply solely depends upon ground water and dams. Major dams like Ramgarh and Bisalpur from where Jaipur city is getting water, have hardly any water left. The population of capital city Jaipur is rising at an alarming rate resulting in huge demand of water. It is high time to review the policy of drinking water supply especially for Jaipur city. During present study, efforts have been made to motivate the residents for conserving the water by offering some lucrative incentives to them. The incentive given to users shall be linked with amount of water saved. Further, efforts have been made by conducting door to door survey to frame a policy for granting number of water connection per household. Keywords: Water Supply, Household, Tariff, Opinion and Rebate 1. Introduction Water is a live sustaining substance which is the primary source of life and human existence. It is a civilization necessity indicating the living standard of people. Unfortunately, most of the water available on earth is salty and not suitable for drinking. Only one percent of available water on earth is fresh and suitable for fulfilling the human being s need. Much of this water is and will remain polluted by industrial, maritime, agriculture and livestock production through fertilizers, antibiotics and hormones, chemicals from tanneries, fertilizers and pesticides used for crops. Over the years, with rising population, rapid industrialization, and expanding agricultural activities have increased the demand for water. It is estimated that by the year 2025 the demand for potable water is likely to increase by 56% more than the present limit of water use. Efforts are being made to store water by building dams and reservoirs and digging more and more wells. Some countries have also started serious efforts to recycle and desalinate water. Water conservation has become the need of the day. The idea of ground water recharging by harvesting rainwater is gaining importance in many countries. It is a top priority of developing countries where the problem of poverty and population is more acute. Maharaja Jai Singh was the founder of Jaipur city which is famous for its wonderful architectural planning. The city has many historical monuments and buildings even as on today. The climate of Jaipur city is semi arid and average rainfall per year is 556.4 mm. The rainy season lasts from June to September. The dry bulb temperature lies between 45 0 C to 25.8 0 C in summer and 22 0 C to 8.3 0 C in winter. The city is renowned for heritage and its color symmetry and thus known as the pink city. Received on February, 2011 Published on March 2011 1235
2. Methodology and Field of Study During present study, an exhaustive questionnaire has been prepared based on the income group and their water requirements. The income groups have been grouped as Lower Income Group (LIG) having a monthly income up to ` 5000, Lower Middle Income Group (L MIG) whose monthly income ranges from ` 5000 to ` 15000, Upper Middle Income Group (U MIG) in the monthly income group of ` 15000 to ` 30000 and the Higher Income Group (HIG) whose income exceeds ` 30000. It has been decided to make largest possible group of respondents to avoid any extrapolation error of the sample group. For this purpose 400 respondents were selected from various income groups for administering the questionnaire but only 225 families have responded. As we had limited financial and other resources, final conclusions have been drawn on the basis of only these 225 samples. 3. Data Analysis and Findings 3.1 Major Sources of Water Supply After receiving the response, the available data were analyzed thoroughly. Based on the study, it has been concluded that about 76% water is supplied through municipal water supply system. The percentage of households who are having their own arrangement of water supply through tube well etc. is only 17%. Little population is having mixed type of arrangement of water i.e. corporation as well as their own sources. Rest population is dependent upon the water sharing through taps available at public places. The actual distribution of water supply sources is indicated in Table 1. Table 1: Major Source of Water Supply and Availability of Water at Household Categorization of Availability of Water Supply at House Households Tap Water Shared Tap Tube Well Open Well LIG 9 0 3 0 L MIG 27 3 12 0 U MIG 108 9 21 0 HIG 27 3 3 0 Total 171 15 39 0 3.2 Availability and Number of Connections As per the policy of Public Health Department, Government of Rajasthan, one house owner can get only one legal water supply connection for which he will have to pay certain monthly charges depending upon consumption or on flat rates. Surprisingly, more than 12 % house owners were having more than one connection which is illegal. It is eye opening because only 69% households are legally connected their houses with municipal water supply and actually making payment to the government for the consumption. 1236
The duration of water supply in 24 hours is only for one and half hours which is the main reason for the dissatisfaction of consumers. The availability of water is also at very low pressure and it is just impossible to fill their tanks mounted on the roof meant for storage. This is further causing the problems particularly in the areas where ground levels are high because people in low lying areas also extracting extra water through illegal pumping by using tullu pump in main line. Some of the houses also have built underground water tanks for the purpose of water storage. However, it puts extra cost on the residents for construction of underground tanks. The duration of water supply data and number of legal/illegal connections are indicated in Table 2. Table 2: Number of Water Supply Connections & Duration of Water Supply Categorization of No of Water Supply Connections Duration of water supply in Hours/Day Households Three Two One Zero 2 1.5 2 1 1.5 0.5 1 LIG 0 0 12 0 6 6 0 0 L MIG 0 0 27 15 15 9 6 12 U MIG 0 15 102 21 54 9 45 30 HIG 0 12 15 6 21 0 0 12 Total 0 27 156 42 96 24 51 54 3.3 Tariff & Frequency of Water Meter Reading Following shortcomings/observations have been made during the study regarding tariff and revenue collection 1. Tariff system for water consumption is not well defined and charges are not as per consumption in majority of the houses. 2. The men power associated in taking the readings of consumption are quite casual and most of the time without coming on site for water reading, approximation of consumption is being made in anticipation of past consumption. It has also been reported that more than 50% meters are non functional. 3. Revenue collection is also not been systematized and long queues for making payments of the bills are normally seen. Majority of the people feel that if monthly billing is done at every house and the amount is collected at site, it would add to the convenience. 4. The charges against water consumption are very nominal and due to this water supply department is not self sustainable and always dependent upon the policies of the Government. The water charges per month are ranging from rs. 50 to 100 only. 5. People are ready to pay more if quality and quantity supplied to them is improved. However, no one expects 24 hours water supply of owing to acute scarcity of water in the town as also in the state The frequency of water meter reading and monthly charges being collected from the residents are shown in Table 3. 1237
Table 3: Monthly Charges of Water Supply & Frequency of Water Meter Read Categorization of Monthly Charges of Water Supply in ` Frequency of Water Meter Read Households 0 100 100 200 >200 Once a Month Every Two Month No Water Meter LIG 12 0 0 0 6 6 L MIG 24 15 3 24 15 3 U MIG 89 45 6 81 42 15 HIG 18 15 0 24 6 0 Total 143 75 9 129 69 27 The level of satisfaction of existing water supply service in terms of water supply duration, its supply pressure, methodology of maintenance and billing procedures are shown in Table 4. Table 4: Metering of Existing Water Supply Service & Improvement in water supply Categorization of Households Metering of Existing Water Supply Service Very good Improvement in water supply Good Fair Poor Quality Pressure Maintenance Tariff and Billing system LIG 0 3 9 0 9 12 3 15 L MIG 3 24 12 3 21 33 12 15 U MIG 3 87 30 18 69 69 36 21 HIG 3 21 6 3 12 30 0 6 Total 9 135 57 24 111 144 51 57 3.4 Opinion about Rebate Next step of the survey was to obtain the opinion for water conservation by providing some incentives. About 89% respondents have stated that they are willing to reduce the consumption of water for domestic purposes if a rebate of at least 20% is offered on present billing. Upper MIG group found most enthusiastic in getting rebate in the range of 20 40% if they are reducing water consumption. The details of the survey on the issue of rebate are shown in Table 5. Table 5: Opinion on Rebate and Rebate rate Categorization of Households Rebate rate Favorable opinion on Rebate 10% 20% 30% > 40% No rebate Yes No LIG 0 6 0 6 0 12 0 L MIG 12 21 3 6 0 42 0 U MIG 15 63 15 24 21 117 21 HIG 3 18 0 9 3 30 3 Total 30 108 18 45 24 201 24 1238
4. Conclusion The major shortcoming of existing water supply policy is its non sustainability. Due to financially crunch, the maintenance and improvement in water supply system seems a daunting task in time to come. The important outcomes of the survey and salient suggestions for improving the water supply system are as given below: 1. People are ready to reduce the consumption of water. The need is to implement water conservation techniques by the concerned authorities. The techniques may be in terms of technical measures like network improvement, leaks repair and installation of water saving devices as suggested by Institute for International and European Environmental Policy in report 1, shown in Table 6. Table 6: Water Saving Devices Equipment Description Water Saving Taps Taps with air devices Taps with thermostats Taps with infrared sensors Electronic taps or taps with buttons for a timed length of flow Toilets Toilets Double command toilets Introduction of air bubbles into the water, increasing its volume less flow and same effect They keep the selected temperature Water is available when an object is underneath Water running for a limited time Command for 6 lt/flush Command for 3 lt/flush Waterless or vacuum toilets No water used Washing Machines Washing Machines (7 kg load) Decreases the volume of water used from 80 lt per use to 45 lt Flow reduction of around 50% Reduction of around 50% of water and energy Reduction of between 70 to 80% Reduction of water use by 50 lt/cap/day Reduction about 44% Water Saving Devices for old Equipment Device to mix water and air Increase the volume of Reduction of around 40% for taps water Button to interrupt toilet flush Reduction of flow Reduction of around 70% Device to limit shower flow Reduction of flow Reduction of between 10 40% Dishwasher Decrease the volume of water used from 20 lt per use to 15 lt Reduction of around 25% 1239
2. People should be educated and motivated for water conservation by using nonstructural measures like information, education, pricing that may change consumptive habits 3. Most respondents are agreeable to reduce the quantity of water for domestic consumption if a significant rebate is offered to them. 4. Responsible water usage can only be achieved by empowering local communities and creating local accountability. 5. Community based participatory approaches to water management that ensures equitable and sustainable use of this precious natural resource. 6. Political interference shall be reduced particularly in public distribution system. The regulatory system shall be self sustainable and independent from government hurdles. 5. Reference 1. Asian Development Bank. (1993). Water utilities data book: Asian and Pacific region. 2. Asian Development Bank. (1997). Second water utilities data book: Asian and Pacific region. 3. Boland, J. J., & Whittington, D. The political economy of increasing block tariffs in developing countries. Paper Presented at the World Bank Sponsored Workshop on Political Economy of Water Pricing Implementation, Washington, DC, November 3 5, 1998. 4. Boland, J. J., Pricing urban water: Principles and compromises. Paper presented at the World Bank seminar on Pricing of Sanitation and Water Services, February 18 19, 1997. 5. Census of India, Issue No 5, 2001, Ministry of Home affairs, Government of India. 6. Jethoo, A.S., Analysis of urban water supply and quality for district Nagaur (Rajasthan), Proceeding of HYDRO 8 National conference on hydraulics, water resources and management), MNIT, Jaipur, December 15 16, 2008, pp 1028 31. 7. Jethoo. A.S., Consumer behavior of urban resident of Jaipur city (India) for water supply Conference proceeding of IEEE (ISBN: 978 1 4244 9261 9), Singapore. 8. Thomas D., Maria B. and Cornelius L., EUWater saving potential (Report 1), Institute for International and European Environmental Policy, July 2007. 1240