MoM - Meeting with Mr. Thippeswamy

Attendees: Shekhar Mittal, Jim Gowda, Zenrainman Sir, Manjari Vishnoi, Neha Dar

We met Mr Thippeswamy, Retd. Chief Engineer (BWSSB) on Saturday at IISc. Meeting minutes captured below.

• Mr. Thippeswamy reviewed our initial list of parameters and had the following remarks:       

             (1) Coverage - As per the Act, BWSSB must provide water supply to Bangalore Metropolitan Area. Only 50% has been covered.

             (2) Unaccounted for Water: This is really a subset of Non-revenue water. Both physical and commercial. Water is also lost due to cleaning of reservoirs, unexpected pipe bursts, supply to fire hydrants, etc.

             (3) Slum Coverage: It is not the BWSSB 's prerogative to proactively provide coverage to slums. Slum Clearance Boards/BBMP/BDA come to them with proposals, which they then implement.

             (4) Quality Parameters: Water quality is tested at three levels - Raw Water, Distribution Water, Treated Water. Water is treated at the source (Cauvery) where all 33 parameters specified in the BIS document are tested. In addition, water is also tested at some reservoirs and other end points. Here, it is tested for only a few parameters like turbidity, pH, conductivity, residual chlorine, and bacterial contamination. The BWSSB also tests 1000 samples (some chosen strategically, others randomly) using two mobile units. [Note: Any BWSSB water sample can be tested for free. Borewell samples may also be tested, but these tests will have to be paid for.]

             (5) Operating Ratio and Working Ratio are a good way to measure financial viability of the BWSSB.

             (6) Citizen complaints and response time are also tracked by the BWSSB.

             (7) We need a parameter to track efficiency in terms of automation / IT adoption.

             (8) Need a parameter to track transparency. BWSSB is reqd to put up reports periodically. Are these accessible?

• The two biggest issues we should fuel advocacy towards (since these issues, if addressed by the BWSSB, will have the biggest impact on water health) are (1) separation of storm water and sewage water drains (2) unaccounted for water.

• Mr Thippeswamy recommended that we look up the following documents:

                 (1) ADB reports - We can google these, or else procure them from him.

                 (2) BWSSB's Annual Performance Report - should be up on their site.

                 (3) Effective Water Utility Management - Lists 10 important parameters, excellent report he says.

                 (4) JNNURM benchmarks

• Next Step: Engage with BWSSB by writing to the Chairman and PRO of the BWSSB, requesting for info. on parameters. If this doesn't work out, we go the RTI route.