In what seems to signal the beginning of privatization of water distribution and maintenance of water supply lines, Delhi Jal Board (DJB) is likely to kick off a pilot project in Vasant Kunj where a private player would be allowed to manage water distribution in the colony. DJB is preparing a bid document to launch the project, which it terms as `non-revenue water (NRW) reduction’ through “performance-based contract.”
According to sources, the new player would have the primary task of reducing transmission and distribution (T&D) losses within the target area. DJB has been struggling to reduce revenue losses on account of theft and illegal connections in the capital. Rough estimates suggest that about 14,500 flats in Vasant Kunj receive approximately 3.1 million gallons of water per day. The project would be implemented in three phases and in a time span of 36 months.
During the first phase, the contractor will have the task of taking all necessary measures, provide all required services to achieve reduction in NRW in the contract area. “With a contractor coming into the picture for managing water supply as well as detecting and fixing leakages, we are hopeful that we will not only improve water distribution in the locality, but would also be able to check revenue losses. Prompt attention to faults could bring greater consumer satisfaction,” a source in the Delhi government said.
The contractor would have the responsibility of replacing faulty customer meters, ensuring leak detection and repair and replacing leaking and dilapidated distribution main and service connections. He would also carry out customer meter readings and household surveys.
The household survey shall be conducted to confirm any data that might seem suspicious like finding the working status of customer meters. The contractor shall prepare a list of customer metering requirements, including unmetered connections as well as defective meters.
The contractor would use new technology to detect leakages and fix them quickly. The firm would also have the responsibility of detecting illegal connections and will be awarded incentive for each case of detection of illegal use, which will be reported to the Jal Board. The incentive would be given only if the reported cases are established as illegal connections after investigation.
The incentive will be given in addition to the payments that the contractor would get in the form of fixed monthly cost, reimbursable, and performance-based payments. Payments would be made for all activities, services, equipment, civil and installation works as well as the supply of material required to meet the target.
