Water Supply Utility, Rajasthan, India

Water Supply Rajasthan, India, KfW financed 2007 – 2009

The objective of project is creation of an autonomous water supply utility (WSU) for the water supply scheme in 3 districts of Rajasthan. Professional operation and maintenance (O & M) of the scheme by an autonomous organization is essential. The trunk system up to village transfer points are presently managed by a local O & M unit belonging to the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED). The service will be carried out by an external company (outsourced). About 40 clusters of villages are supplied water via a transmission main where each village is connected by a bulk meter. For the distribution within the villages the villages themselves will remain responsible, so the WSU remains only responsible for bulk supply assets.

About 360 villages and the towns of Sardarshahar and Taranagar are now connected to the system. The supply area of the WSU serves for approx. 2.6 Million inhabitants. The WSU will have a technical, a financial and a customer relations department and be supervised by a governing body.

The Operation & Maintenance unit together with the consultant develops all necessary strategies, concepts and documents required for the transformation process, the set up of the Utility and its operation. Proper Operation & Maintenance arrangements shall be ensured to secure 24/7 water supply to all towns and villages, including remote tail - end villages. Revenue collection to a high efficiency of 95% in villages and towns shall be ensured. Business plans for securing budget to meet all O & M expenses, running of WSU, staff & office etc. shall be prepared.

The services include:

• Elaborate the organisational structure of the new WSU, define areas of operation and boundaries
• Identify staff for the new WSU, draft related job descriptions and define tasks of different departments
• Draft the Articles of Association, Memorandum of Association and other necessary documents for WSU
• Review and overwork the existing O&M contracts (outsourced services)
• Tariff analysis and calculation of a cost covering tariff
• Development of a business plan for the new water supply unit (WSU)
• Development of a training plan for the new employees plus additional training-on-the-job concept for early employees
• Co-ordination work with the involved stakeholder (PHED, Government of Rajasthan)