Multiple Uses of Water in Small Towns in India The Case of Bhuj (India)

1. Multiple Uses of Water in Small Towns in IndiaThe Case of Bhuj (India) Joep Verhagen (HabiCom International) with Mihir Bhatt (Disaster Mitigation Institute)

2. Contents • Introduction – Urban Development and Urban Livelihoods • Bhuj – earthquake and water supply • Productive Use of Water • Saving and Losing Time • Conclusions

3. Urban Development in India • Rapid Urbanisation • Increase from 25 (1901) to 300 million (2001) • Increase from 11% to 27% • Lack of Capacity • 75 % of urban population lives in small and medium cities • Small and Medium cities get little attention • Urban Development in India • Government reactive rather than pro-active • Increased marginalisation of the poor • Neglect of Small and Medium Cities • Poor Quality of Basic Amenities • Complex Urban Environment • Many actors • Outdated and inadequate legislation • Overlapping jurisdictions • Lack of Control • Urban development process lead by (illegal) land brokers. • Government has no control over land use

4. Urban Livelihoods

5. Urban Livelihoods & Water

6. Bhuj – Earthquake • Earthquake almost destroyed Bhuj – the historic centre and the surrounding areas • Existing water supply system badly damaged – 61% respondents mentions deteriorated quality of water supply after earthquake. • Reconstruction and rehabilitation focuses on historic centre • Surrounding slums are still waiting, water supply still not repaired

7. Bhuj – Water Supply Water is available 1.2 hrs a day, and … People need to use multiple sources. 32% of respondents need to go out of the neighbourhood to fetch water. On average, a household spends Rs. 240 per month on water. A legal connection costs Rs. 1,400 per year Women spend between 3.2 and 6.4 hrs/day on fetching water Only 50% of the year, and … In 5 out of 10 neighbourhoods water is fit for human consumption

8. Time & water • Women loose half a day income per month due to breakdowns of piped water supply. • Women estimate that they loose on average Rs. 85/- per week (equal to 25% of weekly income) because of bad quality of water supply. • The opportunity costs of time spent on fetching water is approximately Rs. 16 per day.

9. Water for Economic Activities • Around 40% of the entrepreneurs have to fetch water for their enterprise outside their neighbourhood. • On average entrepreneurs spend Rs. 180/- per month on water for their enterprise. • They spend on average 1.9 hrs a day on fetching water. • Most important problems related to the water supply are (1) energy waste – 43% respondents (2) irregular supply – 32%. • The estimate an improved water supply will result in an increase of income of almost Rs. 500 per month. Contd…

10. Water for Economic Activities contd… • 62 % entrepreneurs mentions water supply deteriorated after earthquake. • 86% of these entrepreneurs mentions that this deteriorated water supply lead to a loss of income. • The average loss of income is Rs. 500 per month (average present income is Rs. 2,200)

11. Conclusions • Urban water supply is complex, especially in the • Improving quality of water supply systems has a big potential to alleviate poverty in small cities in India. However, providing water alone is not enough. • Improvement of water supply needs strong Community Based Organisations to pressurise. • Investing in the water supply of small cities might have a cost benefit ratio as compared to large cities

12. Recommendations • The case of Bhuj might provide an excellent opportunity to start a Learning Alliance centred around Multiple Uses of Water in Small Cities. • DMI has a strong base in the local communities and is committed to learning and disseminating lessons learned, and finds it important to collaborate with local government. • IRC can bring in the international experience and sound learning and documentation methodologies.

13. Thank You