UK seeks participation in Indian water supply biz

CHENNAI: A delegation of representatives from the water supply business and water technologies industry in UK were in Chennai on Thursday, interacting with government officials and businessmen in those sectors in India, seeking partnerships between the two countries in water supply management.

Pushing for private sector participation in actual implementation of water supply systems and their billing were on the top of their agenda.

"The present policy framework allows for private sector participation only in conculting for local bodies and PSUs involved in water supply in urban areas," said Singapore based MWH water supply management UK regional manager Jivir Viyakesparan. "that is just 10% of the business." It is another thing that the issue of water supply is present at all only in Indian cities and not in its rural areas.

"It is best for governing bodies to regulate the water supply business, while the private sector actually offers the service," said UKTI London international business specialist (environment and water) Jeremy Goad. "That is the model that we have been following in UK, ever since our water reforms started way back in 1963."

Mr.Peter Jarema, director of Farrer Consulting, stuck a moderate note by suggesting the popular PPP model for Indian urban water supply. "Cities here are faced with issues like intermittent water supply, lack of sustainability, and system leaks and losses. The public and private sectors should come together to solve them."

The public sector takes care of the financing gaps and the risk parts of the business while the private sector delivers process efficiency, he said.

However, the Chennai metro water supply and sewerage board (CMWSSB) was clear that it was not going to explore privatisation options in the near future. "We have implemented many modern projects and process efficiency tools in our water supply system," said CMWSSB MD Shiv Das Meena. "We have achieved that by taking only consultation from the private sector."

For one, India already has the system of devolution of the power of water supply to urban local bodies, which came with water reforms in UK. CMWSSB, particularly, had implemented GIS mapping and tracking of its supply infrastructure four years back, and is awaiting funds to take it further. It is also part of the first initiative in the country to treat city sewerage for industrial water supply.