Services for Urban Poor
Services covering the Urban poor BWSSB’s Experiments and Future Plans
Bangalore (BBMP area) has about 550 slum officially recognized by the Karnataka Slum Clearance Board. The core area has 362 slums. These slums coexist with well-developed areas as is the case in big cities. Most such areas have large deficiencies in water supply and environmental sanitation infrastructure services.
Inadequate or poor services to urban poor communities has led to adverse impact on the BWSSB
Unauthorised/illegal tap connections, which lead to loss of revenue:
Damage to the water supply system because poorly made connections may lead to leaks and contamination of the water
Run-off of Sewage in open places, sewage discharged directly into storm-water drains, all of which lead to serious public health concerns, pose environmental hazards and portray a poor public image of the board.
The BWSSB-AusAID Master Plan Project was implemented during the period 2000-2002. The Community Development Component of the Project worked on examining and testing options for improved services to the urban poor. Three slums were selected for demonstration purposes, namely, Cement Huts, Sudamanagar and Chandranagar in the core area of Bangalore city. These Pilot Projects provided opportunities to the BWSSB to implement innovative options for delivery of services to the urban poor and work out suitable strategies to reach the un-reached disadvantaged communities. And successful implementation of the Pilot Projects was considered imperative to replicate these experiences to the best advantage of the BWSSB, to increase its consumer base and broaden the revenue base.
The Social Development Unit (SDU) of the BWSSB in its endeavour to replicate and upscale the ideas and concepts of the pilot projects continued the work to extend water supply and underground services to the slums being covered under the ‘Package Programme’ which was a joint infrastructure expansion program of the City Corporation & BWSSB implemented between 2003-2006 to cover the entire city with water and sewerage network in systematic manner. The SDU worked in close coordination with advocate agencies- NGOs and CBOs- and other social intermediaries.
The service levels offered to the different categories of slums:
Residents in slums are being motivated to avail the opportunity to legally connect to BWSSB water supply system and are actively discouraged from resorting to illegal means. BWSSB has offered a rationalized reduction in the connection rates. A house with an area of 150 sq.ft. is required to pay only the meter cost of Rs.550/; between 151sq.ft. and 600 sq.ft. RS. 800/ (meter cost of Rs.550 + Rs.250 as cost of UGD connection) and a house above 600 sq. ft. has to pay the regular rates. The slum dwellers are allowed to pay the connection charges in two installments. Further, the connection procedures have been simplified so that a slum dweller can apply for a connection enclosing hakku patras issued by the BDA, KSCB, BMP; any proof of residence, such as ration card, election identity card, identity card issued by the Karnataka Slum Clearance Board, along with the application.
Free Connections to the Urban Poor
Individual household connections for those with land tenure and having adequate space,
Community level services such as, shared metered connections, on payment, for those communities, having land tenure but not adequate space and communities without security of tenure.
Public fountains were ruled out. The poor, after having been through the drudgery of collecting water from public taps were happy that an encouraging atmosphere had been created for availing individual household connections. The culture of user charges was very well accepted. Work was taken up in 43 slum areas with the help of NGOs and CBOs.
The Social Development Unit assumed the responsibility of reducing slum dwellers reliance on public taps by offering them the options of either individual or shared connections on payment as indicated above. In many slums people had also connected illegally to the system and had been enjoying free water. Efforts were made to tackle this menace.
The success of this initiative led the Japan Bank of International Cooperation to include Slum Development as a separate Component under the JICA assisted main Cauvery Water Supply Project. It is proposed to cover all the slums in the core area of Bangalore City in a phased manner. This Project is currently under implementation. Four NGOs have been contracted to work in 96 slums in the 1st Phase.
It is envisaged that with the measures introduced in respect of servicing of the urban poor BWSSB would reduce its losses through public fountains and illegal connections and increase its revenue and consumer base. It is expected to have a positive impact on its customer orientation and will bring in social sensitivity to the crucial task of water supply and sanitation services provision.
Consumer ServicesThis covers of various aspects of wide range of services provided by BWSSB such as water supply, sewerage system, which deals right from getting the connection to billing.This has been given in the common interest of the public.
Procedure
BWSSB has stipulated procedures for obtaining water supply and sanitary connections. Following table provides links to the relevant details.The forms are provided only for guidelines/information/customer charter and printed forms need to be obtained from the appropriate BWSSB offices.
Water Supply Sanction
Orders thereon: For sanctioning 1/2″ domestic water supply connection (not applicable to apartments, non domestic premises, commercial complexes) the requirement of road cutting endorsement from BCC/BDA/Local authority, need not be insisted upon.
However, the charges for refilling the trench metalizing, asphalting to the original condition of the road, which was existing before road cutting, should be collected by the Board and the agency who cuts the road should be made responsible for redoing the road and only after the work is completed satisfactorily, the connection should be serviced and the payment should be released to the agency/plumber for the road repair work. The road cutting charges shall be as follows:
a)Removing refixing stone slabs..Rs45/-per sq. m.
Rs45/-per sq. m.
b)For cutting roads without asphalting
Rs132/-per sq. m.
c)For cutting roads with asphalting
Rs253/-per sq. m.
Processing Time
Permission for attending leaks in consumer line
Road cutting endorsement from BDA/BCC/V.P
Time required for sanction -2 days
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Change of bore for service main
Apply directly or through licensed plumber to Sub-Divison
Road cutting endorsement from BDA/BCC/V.P
Time required for sanction – 5 days
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Conversion from N.D to domestic
Apply directly to the concerned sub-dvn.
Sanitary connection work order
Permission for additional taps is obained or not
Time required for sanction – 15 days
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Khata transfer or change of name
Apply directly to the concerned sub-dvn.
Khata certificate from BDA/BCC/V.P
Tax paid receipt BDA/BCC/V.P
Latest water supply charges paid bill
Affidavit on Rs.10/- paper
Time required for sanction -3 days
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Permission for additional connection
Apply directly or through licensed plumber
Road cutting endorsement from BDA/BCC/V.P
Tax paid receipt BDA/BCC/V.P
Sanctioned plan BDA/BCC/V.P
Sanitary connection work order
Time required for sanction -15 days
—-
Domestic W/S and sewerage connection for G+1
Apply directly or through licensed plumber
Road cutting endorsement from BDA/BCC/V.P
Tax paid receipt BDA/BCC/V.P
Sanctioned plan BDA/BCC/V.P
Sanitary connection work order
Time required for sanction -10 days
—-
N.D. W/S connection for construction purposes
Apply directly or through licensed plumber
Road cutting endorsement from BDA/BCC/V.P
Tax paid receipt BDA/BCC/V.P
Sanctioned plan BDA/BCC/V.P
Sanitary connection work order
Time required for sanction -15 days
—-
N.D. W/S connection sanitary connection upto 2400 Sft.G + 2
Apply directly or through licensed plumber
Road cutting endorsement from BDA/BCC/V.P
Tax paid receipt BDA/BCC/V.P
Sanctioned plan BDA/BCC/V.P
Sanitary connection work order
Time required for sanction -15 days
Sanction by Executive Engineer.
Domestic N.D. W/S & sanitary connection upto 2400 Sft G + 2
Apply directly or through licensed plumber
Road cutting endorsement from BDA/BCC/V.P
Tax paid receipt BDA/BCC/V.P
Sanctioned plan BDA/BCC/V.P
Sanitary connection work order
Time required for sanction -30 days
Sanction by CE on the basis of recommendation of the committee headed by Seniormost Supdtg. Eng
Domestic N.D. W/S & sanitary connection G + 3 and above 2400 Sft
Apply directly or through licensed plumber
Road cutting endorsement from BDA/BCC/V.P
Tax paid receipt BDA/BCC/V.P
Sanctioned plan BDA/BCC/V.P
Sanitary connection work order
Time required for sanction -30 days
Sanction by CE on the basis of recommendation of the committee headed by Chief Engineer
QualityCHIEF ENGINEER (Quality Assurance ) B.W.S.S.B
The office of the Chief Engineer (Quality Assurance) is functioning in the III floor of Cauvery Bhavan, Bangalore-9, and has following staff in the central office.
Chief Engineer (Quality Assurance)
Ph.No. 080 2294 5107
Additional Chief Engineer (QA)
Ph.No. 080 2294 5107
Technical Assistants
Ph.No. 080 2294 5107
The Following divisions are under the control of Chief Engineer (QA) and their functions are as follows.
Executive Engineer (QA) – Ph.22945201:
The office of the Executive Engineer (QA) is situated at Malleswaram. The EE(QA), along with Assistant Executive Engineers who are also stationed at Malleswaram, Bangalore, is in charge of quality control of both water supply and sanitary works of all works taken up by the board in the city of Bangalore.
The EE (QA) is provided with the facility of Central Water Testing Laboratory, which is situated at High grounds, Bangalore, where in, the water collected at different parts of the city, which are water samples from bore wells and from slums are tested for turbidity, pH value, residual chlorine, suitability for portable purpose etc. BWSSB also has mobile testing laboratories, which collect water samples and conduct test of the samples on the spot.
Executive Engineer (Central Stores) – Ph. 22945205:
The EE (Central Stores), whose office is situated at Malleswaram, Bangalore, is entrusted with the responsibilities of procurement of all types of materials such as steel reinforcements, Cement C.I. and D.I. pipes and specials, water meters, liquid chlorine etc. required for various activities of the board.
Executive Engineer (Water Audit and Control) Ph. 22945116:
The office of the EE (WA&C) is located in the 7th floor, Cauvery Bhavan, with three sub divisions, and is carrying out leak detection and rectification works in the entire city. The nature of work is more on the detection (unaccounted water). Emphasis has also been given for reducing the UFW. This office has been attached with the Information Technology (IT) activities and other related time bound works.
The Wing is concentrating mainly on the following activities.
Checking the records at water supply and sanitary divisions, sub-divisions & service stations such as ledgers, list of arrears, statement of defective meters, sanction files, registers of application for water supply and sanitary connections, conversion of water supply connections etc. Verification of stock of materials, both at works as well as service stations.
Checking the water filling points. Verification of stock of materials both at works as well as service stations.
Attending to the general complaints from public and directions of higher officers.
Any other investigations entrusted by the higher officers.
Random inspection of different works including project works in progress to have a check on the quality of water, usage of materials and to advice on shortcomings, if any.
Collection of concrete samples (cubes) at work sites for verifying the strength of the concrete after curing period.
Checking of lead joints in water supply pipelines.
Hydraulic testing of water retaining structures such as ground level reservoirs, over head tanks, sumps and water supply pipelines.
Inspection of flow test of underground drainage, stoneware and RCC pipes.
Inspection of chlorinators for their working condition.
Periodical inspection of divisions and sub-divisions, service stations and S.T. Plants.
The Central Water Testing Laboratory and Meter Testing and Servicing Laboratory are attached to this wing.
Laboratory Functions: Two qualified chemists are working in the Central Water Testing Laboratory and Meter Testing and Servicing Laboratory. Water samples from different service stations of the city are collected at the rate of 16 samples per month from the distribution network, consumer end, public taps, ground level reservoirs and over head tanks and sent to the water testing laboratory for testing potability. Here, water is tested for physical, chemical and bacteriological characteristics. The results are intimated to the concerned service stations, water supply divisions and sub-divisions for their information and for further remedial action. BWSSB is committed to supply quality water to the citizens of Bangalore and conforms to IS and WHO standards.
Mobile Lab: This is basically a mobile van fitted with kits to analyze water samples collected at random spots. The samples so collected are analyzed in the laboratory for physical, chemical and bacteriological analysis. If any water sample is not found to be satisfactory for potable use, immediate corrective action is taken by instructing the concerned for remedial measures. Water sampling is repeated at the same spot for further analysis till the water is fit for drinking purpose.
In addition to the distribution network, samples are also collected from borewells maintained by BWSSB at random and analyzed through routine tests including content of nitrate and hardness. If any sample of water is not found to be satisfactory for potable use, the concerned service station will be informed to display a board near the borewell stating “Water Not Fit For Drinking Purpose.”
Details on samples collected during various periods are given under Water Quality Surveillance
At present, the meters of Precimag, Capstan and Actaris make are being used in the BWSSB.
Citizen Charter
1. Click here to Download English Version.
2. Click here to Download Kannada Version.