Volume III - Issue 1
“The human right to
water entitles eve-
ryone to sufficient,
safe, acceptable,
physically accessi-
ble and affordable
water for personal
and domestic use”
—U.N. General Comment No.
15 on the right to water,
2002
“We feel it our
duty to say that
high-priced water
is not in the inter-
est of public health.
Pure water in abun-
dance, at a price
within the reach of
all, is one of the
most powerful
agencies for pro-
moting the health
of any community”
—North Carolina Board of
Health, 1898
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
HVWSHE Classroom and
the implementation of SESI
Project in Jabalpur
Task force formed for Water
Demand Management
Urban Environment in
Butwal Municipality
Promotion Programme on
Rainwater Harvesting in
Kathmandu
November 2006
Regional Capacity Building Training Programme on
“Continuous Water Supply in Asian Cities”
Provision of good quality water UN-HABITAT in cooperation demand management. Phase I
with the Administrative Staff of the programme was organ-
and sanitation facilities to all
College of India (ASCI), Hydera- ised for one-week from 27th
residents including the poor, is a
basic responsibility of service bad and Singapore Utilities November to 1st December
providers. Moreover, it forms a International Pvt. Ltd (SUI) organ- 2006 at ASCI followed by
critical component in achieving ised a regional capacity build- Phase II of the programme for
the Millennium Development ing programme on “Continuous one-week from 4th December to
Goals (MDGs). Water Supply in Asian Cities” 8th December 2006 in SUI,
for senior policy makers and Singapore.
Infrastructure capacity, seen as
officials from water utilities and The participants were exposed
the "Wheels of Economic Activ-
urban local bodies of the partici- to technical, financial, institu-
ity" can deliver major benefits in
pating countries under Water tional, communication and so-
economic growth, poverty alle-
for Asian Cities Programme. The cial issues associated with the
viation and environmental sus-
core objectives of the pro- water and sanitation sector
tainability - only when it provides
gramme were:
services that respond to demand through interactive sessions,
and does so effectively. • To provide a comprehensive case studies, field visits etc.
perspective on the transforma- Modules covered during Phase I
Presently, the water and sanita-
tion required to achieve the included urban water sector and
tion service levels in urban areas
continuous water supply change management; systems
of many Asian countries are
through an integration of management; pricing and cost
inadequate and financially un-
technical, financial, institu- recovery mechanisms; public
sustainable, particularly for the
tional, social and communica- private partnerships for acceler-
urban poor. For cities to achieve
tion aspects. ating change; managing the
a world-class public health
transition; organisations readi-
status, it is imperative that they • To acquaint participants with
move from an intermittent water innovative technologies in the ness; and redefining relation-
supply system to continuous areas of leak detection, water ships. Modules covered during
(24/7) water supply. 24-hours demand management, water Phase II included holistic ap-
water supply, 7-days a week is conservation etc. proach to manage non-revenue
an accepted global norm and is water; water conservation meas-
• To provide a platform for ures; leak detection techniques;
prevalent not only in the cities of
active exchange of national metering concepts; and pressure
developed countries but also in
2 and international good prac- management etc.
many cities in less developed
tices in water management.
countries. It is significant that UN-HABITAT had sponsored a
along with Europe, African and • To enable the participants to group of 20 senior officials from
3
Asian cities like Kampala formulate a strategic action water utilities and urban local
(Uganda), Singapore, Phnom plan to achieve and imple- bodies representing various
3 Penh (Cambodia) and Dhulikel ment the vision of 24/7 water countries / cities participating
supply.
(Nepal) also have ready access under the Water for Asian Cities
4 to clean, potable water avail- The programme was conducted Programme viz. Madhya
able 24-hours/day and with less in two-phases, keeping in view Pradesh, India; Nepal; Lao PDR;
expense than currently available the objectives of the programme Vietnam and PR China for the
in most other cities of Asia. with a special focus on water regional capacity building pro-
gramme.
 PAGE - 2 November 2006

HVWSHE Classroom and the implementation of SESI Project in Jabalpur

The HVWSHE classroom is equipped with
interactive panels and models developed
on the various themes related to water and
sanitation issues and small water testing kit
with a space for interactive activities ses-
sion. The basic objective of the classroom
is to educate the students about the human
values of water and sanitation in day to
day life. On 8th November 2006, Mr.
Hari Ranjan Rao, Project Director, UWSEI
Project paid a visit to the Human Values-
based Water, Sanitation Hygiene
(HVWSHE) classroom setup by the UN-
HABITAT in collaboration with Government
of Madhya Pradesh (GoMP) at Model H.S.
School, Jabalpur.
The Project Director visited the HVWSHE
classroom in Jabalpur and interacted with
the Principal and the Resource teachers of
the School. He enquired about the activi-
ties being conducted involving students
and advised the Principal and the Re-
source Teachers to organise programmes
for the students in association with the
Total Sanitation Campaign for populariz-
ing the HVWSHE classroom and its activi-
ties at the District level.
The Project Director also visited one of the
target slum ‘Indira Basti’ where the ‘Slum
Environment Sanitation Initiative’ is being
implemented. Senior officers of Jabalpur
Municipal Corporation accompanied him
during the visit. He inspected the demon-
stration toilets constructed by the house-
holds and wall paintings to communicate
hygiene massages to bring about behav-
ioural change among the people. The
partner NGO Kshitij briefed the Project Project Director, UWSEI Project interacting with the
Director on the various awareness activi- community at Indira Basti in Jabalpur
ties e.g. street play, rallies, camps, exhibi-
tions being taken up. The Project Director Constitution of State Level WAC
had an impromptu consultation with the Programme Monitoring
slum residents on Water and Sanitation Committee
issues. He also interacted with the mem-
The Government of Madhya Pradesh has
bers of Community Water and Sanitation
constituted a State level WAC Programme
Committee (CWASC) and few SHGs re-
Monitoring Committee under the
garding the response of the residents re-
chairmanship of the Secretary, UADD to
garding construction of household toilets
monitor the activities of WAC Programme
through revolving funds. He also handed
as well as to ensure proper coordination
over a printed letter head to the president
amongst Municipal Corporations, DUDA,
of CWASC and record-keeping books to
UWSEI Project, concerned departments
office bearers of SHGs as a symbol of their
and UN-HABITAT and its cooperating
empowerment in the process of social
partners WaterAid, Mahila Chetna Manch
development.
and Centre for Environmental Education.

National Seminar on Urban Governance Capacity Building Workshop on

UN-HABITAT had supported the Na-
tional Seminar on “Urban Governance
in the Context of Jawaharlal Nehru
National Urban Renewal Mission
(JNNURM)” organised by the Associa-
tion of Urban Management and Devel-
opment Authorities (AMDA) at New
Delhi from 24-25 November 2006.
The broad objective of the seminar
was to examine the issue of urban
governance from various perspectives
and within the broad ambit of the re-
cently launched JNNURM in India. The
JNNURM provides an opportunity for
creation and improved delivery of
urban services, especially water supply
and sanitation which are its thrust ar-
eas. The tasks of urban governance
includes coping with the challenges of
urbanisation, creation of employment
opportunities, alleviating poverty and
sustainable urban environmental man-
agement combined with participatory
approaches in urban planning, deci-
sion-making and service delivery.
The seminar addressed some of the
critical issues relating to the above
under five sub-themes which, inter alia,
included water and sanitation. UN-
HABITAT contributed a paper on the
theme of “Issues in the Pursuit of the
Millennium Development Targets for
Water Supply and Sanitation” in the
Seminar. The CTA, UN-HABITAT also
made a presentation on the subject
and gave the overview of the Water
for Asian Cities Programme in India.
The seminar brought together partici-
pants from municipalities and develop-
ment authorities as well as policy mak-
ers, administrators, academicians and
experts from national and international
organisations including Mayors, Com-
missioners and other high officials from
cities and towns of Madhya Pradesh.
The seminar was inaugurated by Ms.
Shiela Dixit, Chief Minister of Delhi
and was also addressed by Mr. Jaipal
Reddy, the Union Minister of Urban
Development.
“Sanitation Technologies”
UN-HABITAT in collaboration with Sulabh Interna-
tional Academy of Environmental Sanitation had
organized the second International Capacity Building
Workshop on “Sanitation Technologies” from 13th to
25th November, 2006 at New Delhi .
As a part of the implementation of the Habitat
Agenda through collaboration with all Partners in-
cluding NGOs in achieving the Millennium Goals for
Sustainable Development in Water, Sanitation and
Hygiene, this Capacity Building Programme was
organized for 23 professionals from 9 African coun-
tries of Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivorie, Ghana, Kenya,
Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania and Zambia.
The capacity-building process will be carried out in
three phases wherein the professionals shall be
trained by Sulabh on sanitation technologies, fol-
lowed by the implementation of the sanitation pro-
jects by the participants in their own countries under
Sulabh’s technical and administrative supervision
and the review of the projects in Africa by early
2008. This programme was an initiative of UN-
HABITAT to promote closer cooperation among devel-
oping countries by exchanging ideas and appropri-
ate technologies.
VOLUME III - ISSUE 1 PAGE - 3

Task force formed for Water Demand Management in Nepal

Nepal Water Supply Corporation (NWSC) has formed a task
force for water demand management to improve water supply
system in Nepal which will formulate a new strategy for the pur-
pose. The water supply system of Pokhara Sub-Metropolitan City
will be improved as a pilot project according to the new strat-
egy. It will then be applied in other parts of the country in a
phased manner. A team of technicians and experts have gone to
Pokhara for on-site study.
UN-HABITAT’s WAC programme is to assist NWSC to formulate
and implement the new strategy as well as to find other donors
for the programme. Nepal Water Supply Corporation shall de-
velop strategies for demand based water supply in the near
future to meet the present challenges in the water supply. This
type of strategy of water supply has been successful in South
Africa and in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India.
For this purpose, a three-day workshop on “Formulation of
NWSC Strategy for Water Demand Management” was
organized by UN-HABITAT in collaboration with NWSC which
was also supported by the Centre for Integrated Urban Develop-
ment (CIUD) and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) India.
The main objective of this workshop was to sensitize the plan-
ners, managers of the water systems on the aspects of water
demand management so as to conceive a pilot project for formu-
lation of a strategy for water demand management as a key
element for sustainable water management.
While addressing the Water Demand Management Workshop,
Mr. Madan Shanker Shrestha, Deputy General Manager of
NWSC informed that ‘the concept of water demand manage-
ment is new for us and this approach can increase the efficiency
of the corporation in service delivery’. During the workshop Dr.
Roshan Shrestha, Chief Technical Advisor, WAC Programme in
Nepal pointed out the need of NWSC to set an example of
good governance as people continue to have good faith and
hope in the corporation.

Integrated Approaches to Improve Urban Capacity Building Program for

Environment in Butwal Municipality
UN-HABITAT has entered into an agree-
ment of cooperation with Practical Action,
an NGO based in Nepal for implementat-
ing the project on “Integrated Approaches
to Improve Urban Environment in Butwal
Municipality” with the main objective of
reducing environmental threats to the
health and livelihoods of urban slum dwell-
ers and help to alleviate poverty in Butwal
Municipality by developing and promoting
an integrated approach to improve the
urban environment and improve liveli-
hoods of poor.
Practical Action, Nepal shall be responsi-
ble for the overall management and the
implementation of the project including
capacity building of the community as well
as the municipality, developing neighbour-
hood plans for improving the environment
and livelihoods, creating partnerships be-
tween CBOs and other stakeholders, rais-
ing awareness and influencing policies on
environmental issues at community, city,
national and international levels.
The Cooperation Agreement will be for the
period of 11 months starting from Novem-
ber 2006 to September 2007, which pri-
marily focus on needs assessment, plan-
ning and capacity development works.
The project is expected to demonstrate an
effective model of partnership for develop-
ment of fast track implementation and dem-
onstration of community-based low-cost
water supply, environmental sanitation,
waste management and hygiene promo-
tion initiatives for the urban poor and
thereby help improving their livelihoods.
The organisations are following the innova-
tive community-based approaches which
aims at bringing benefits at the neighbour-
hood level in ways which are driven and
controlled primarily by the residents them-
selves. Therefore, it contributes to the ex-
pected result of implementing and network-
ing of innovative technologies, policies,
measures and techniques.
The proposed project will directly benefit
439 Poor households in 8 slums; 2078
Poor People living in 8 slums; and Staff of
Butwal Municipality by expanding their
knowledge on appropriate WATSAN,
Waste management technology.
Small Town Water Supply &
Sanitation Project in Nepal
UN-HABITAT in cooperation with Town
Development Fund (TDF) and the Depart-
ment of Drinking Water and Sanitation
(DWSS) has planned a three-day Work-
shop on “Need Assessment for Capacity
Building Programme Intervention in Small
Town Water Supply and Sanitation Sector
Project” under the Water for Asian Cities
(WAC) Programme in Nepal, from 3-5
December, 2006 at Nagarkot, Nepal.
The workshop aims at assessing the gaps
in institutional development of Water User
Associations (WUA); realizing role and
responsibility of WUA members; aware-
ness on the quality of water and its moni-
toring system; awareness on the need for
gender mainstreaming; mechanism for
social inclusion (poor and disadvantage
communities); and assessing the gap on
financial management, cost recovery and
repayment of loan.
The Workshop shall provide an in-depth
insight for sustainable service delivery of
water supply and sanitation system imple-
mented under Small Town Water Supply
and Sanitation Sector Project.
 PAGE - 4

Promotion Programme on Rainwater Harvesting in Kathmandu

The Water for Asian Cities Programme of UN-HABITAT in part- Promotion of Private Sector for easy accessibility of rain
nership with the NGO Forum for Urban Water and Sanitation water harvesting components and materials at competitive
(NGOFUWS), Ministry of Physical Planning and Works and prices.
Water Aid, Nepal has initiated a Rainwater Harvesting Promo-
The programme envisaged four demonstration sites, three in
tion Programme (RWHPP) in Kathmandu Valley in five munici-
Kathmandu, viz. Trichandra Multiple Campus, Sambridha Awas
palities and a nearby town, Banepa, with a view to ensure up-
– the squatters rehabilitation community housing facility, Depart-
rooting of water scarcity, mitigate the present water crisis of the
ment of Urban Planning and Building Construction and one in
valley and with a vision for long-term impact that sustains free
Banepa town at Sheer Memorial Community Hospital.
rain water for bulk of its water
needs. The Programme seeks to Within a year of initiation, the
familiarize people with the rain- Programme has made its presence
water harvesting technology of felt. Some of the prominent achieve-
tapping nature’s gift and popular- ments include:
ize its use at the household, com-
Installation of rainwater har-
munity and municipal levels.
vesting systems by Kathmandu
RWHPP is conceived of a multi- Municipality, Nepal Water Supply
pronged strategic approach with Corporation, World Wildlife Fund,
maximum spread effect, which etc.—altogether around 200 build-
mainly include: ings have installed the systems;
Policy advocacy for manda- Installation of rainwater har-
tory requirement of rainwater vesting in housing colonies pro-
harvesting in building by-laws moted by private companies;
and implementation in all new
built structures; Capacity building to 250
plumbers, 170 practicing engi-
Capacity building training neers, 375 engineering students,
programmes, workshops on 3000 civil society and 280 persons
rainwater harvesting for all as Training of Trainers;
target groups at all levels in-
cluding plumbers, civil engi- Use of print and electronic
neers, architects, students, media as well as other extension
house-wives, etc tools and techniques like films, hoardings, showcasing
which are very popular and represented in different Forums
To extend as a help-desk for linking up the clients willing to such as World Urban Forum III, Vancouver, World Water
have rainwater harvesting facility with the technical per- Forum—IV’ Film Festival in Mexico, Himalayan Film Festival
sons trained for this purpose and help to generate employ- in the Netherlands;
ment opportunities;
Formation of a Government level Rainwater Harvesting
Creating public awareness through rainwater harvesting Steering Committee; and
installation at public structures, historical sites, etc.;
Priority in extending loan for building houses which has
Preparation and dissemination of manuals and guidebooks rainwater harvesting component.
on Rainwater Harvesting; and

UN-HABITAT Editorial Board

Water for Asian Cities Programme Hazari Lal, Director, Government of India
Regional Office Malay Shrivastava, Commissioner, UADD, State Govt. of M.P
EP-16/17, Chandragupta Marg, Chanakyapuri
Krishna Prasad Acharya, Jt. Secretary, MPPW, Govt. of Nepal
New Delhi - 110021 (India), Tel: +91-11-42225019 / 22
Fax: +91-11-24104961, Web: www.unhabitat.org/water Debashish Bhattacharjee, ADB, India Resident Mission
WAC Project Office in India WAC Project Office in Nepal
Aniruddhe Mukerjee, CTA, UN-HABITAT, Bhopal
E-1/191, Arera Colony, Bhopal, UN House, Pulchowk, GPO Box 107, Roshan Raj Shrestha, CTA, UN-HABITAT, Nepal
Madhya Pradesh, India Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: +91-755-2460835/36 Tel: +977-1-5536699
Fax: +91-11-2460837 Fax: +977-1-5548597 Editor
Email: Wac.India@unhabitat.org Email: Wac.Nepal@unhabitat.org
Kulwant Singh, CTA, UN-HABITAT, New Delhi