Multiple Uses of Water in Small Towns in

Multiple Uses of Water in Small Towns in India The Case of Bhuj (India) Joep Verhagen (Habi. Com International) with Mihir Bhatt (Disaster Mitigation Institute)

Contents • Introduction – Urban Development and Urban Livelihoods • Bhuj – earthquake and water supply • Productive Use of Water • Saving and Losing Time • Conclusions Productive Uses of Water Delft – June 10 2005

Urban Development in India Rapid Urbanisation Lack of Capacity • Increase from 25 (1901) to 300 million (2001) • Increase from 11% to 27% Urban • 75 % of urban population lives in small and medium cities Development in and India • Small Medium cities get little attention - Government reactive rather than pro-active - Increased marginalisation of the poor - Neglect of Small and Medium Cities Urban Lack -of. Poor Control Quality of Basic. Complex Amenities • Urban development process Environment lead by (illegal) land brokers. • Government has no control over land use Productive Uses of Water • Many actors • Outdated and inadequate legislation • Overlapping jurisdictions Delft – June 10 2005

Urban Livelihoods Rural Access to natural capital Access to land housing no problem Urban Access to labour market Access to land housing difficult Government ‘distant’ Vulnerable to ‘bad governance’ Services not available Services expensive Natural capital is key Urban areas in rural setting Productive Uses of Water House as economic resource Urban Villages Delft – June 10 2005

Urban Livelihoods & Water Type of livelihood Average water consumption Quality of water needed Animal husbandry 347 Drinkable Block and screen printing 250 Drinkable Cobbler 120 Clean and non-saline Cold drinks vendor 93 Drinkable Dobhi 117 Drinkable Flour mill 500 clean and non-saline Mason 1000 clean and non-saline Matka vendor 100 Drinkable Snack vendor 96 Drinkable Tea cabin 95 Drinkable Vegetables vendor 317 Clean and non-saline Productive Uses of Water Delft – June 10 2005

Bhuj – Earthquake Ø Earthquake almost destroyed Bhuj – the historic centre and the surrounding areas Ø Existing water supply system badly damaged – 61% respondents mentions deteriorated quality of water supply after earthquake. Ø Reconstruction and rehabilitation focuses on historic centre Ø Surrounding slums are still waiting, water supply still not repaired Productive Uses of Water Delft – June 10 2005

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. Only 50% of the year, and … In 5 out of 10 neighbourhoods water is fit for human consumption Productive Uses of 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 Delft – June 10 2005

Time & water Ø Women loose half a day income per month due to breakdowns of piped water supply. Ø Women estimate that they loose on average Rs. 85/- per week (equal to 25% of weekly income) because of bad quality of water supply. Ø The opportunity costs of time spent on fetching water is approximately Rs. 16 per day. Productive Uses of Water Delft – June 10 2005

Water for Economic Activities Ø Around 40% of the entrepreneurs have to fetch water for their enterprise outside their neighbourhood. Ø On average entrepreneurs spend Rs. 180/- per month on water for their enterprise. Ø They spend on average 1. 9 hrs a day on fetching water. Ø Most important problems related to the water supply are (1) energy waste – 43% respondents (2) irregular supply – 32%. Ø The estimate an improved water supply will result in an increase of income of almost Rs. 500 per month. Contd… Productive Uses of Water Delft – June 10 2005

Water for Economic Activities contd… Ø 62 % entrepreneurs mentions water supply deteriorated after earthquake. Ø 86% of these entrepreneurs mentions that this deteriorated water supply lead to a loss of income. Ø The average loss of income is Rs. 500 per month (average present income is Rs. 2, 200) Productive Uses of Water Delft – June 10 2005

Conclusions Ø Urban water supply is complex, especially in the Ø 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. Ø Improvement of water supply needs strong Community Based Organisations to pressurise. Ø Investing in the water supply of small cities might have a cost benefit ratio as compared to large cities Productive Uses of Water Delft – June 10 2005

Recommendations Ø The case of Bhuj might provide an excellent opportunity to start a Learning Alliance centred around Multiple Uses of Water in Small Cities. ü 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. ü IRC can bring in the international experience and sound learning and documentation methodologies. Productive Uses of Water Delft – June 10 2005

Thank You