#24. GPWSC Singhpura
In recent times, the need for a safe and sustainable water supply system has been realized by the world. In Punjab, it becomes a greater challenge due to decreasing ground water table and increasing water quality issues. Intermittent water supply system has several drawbacks like chances of water contamination, improper pressure management, inefficient supply, consumer dissatisfaction etc. Thus, a 24×7 water supply scheme resolve all these issues delivering better quality water for public health, effective demand and supply management and better service to consumers. In district SAS Nagar, GPWSC Singhpura is pioneer village having its own “24×7 water supply” scheme since year 2011.
Village Singhpura is located at a distance of 30 kms from Chandigarh, 2 Kms from Morinda – Kurali road in S.A.S Nagar District. Village has a population of 1014 persons having 181 households. Earlier, it was a PC village where adequate quantity of drinking water with requisite pressure was not available as they were getting drinking water supply from the water works Lakhnour which is situated at about 4.5 km away from their village. The proactive people of village Singhpura unanimously decided to approach Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Department Punjab to get World Bank Aided Project in their village. Gram Panchayat Water Supply Committee was formed according to World Bank guidelines and the scheme was commissioned in October-2009.
The villagers were getting safe water at their door steps two times day at the rate of Rs 75 per month / connection and they were paying the water bills regularly. GPWSC demanded installation of water meters at household’s level as with introduction of volumetric measurement would bring equity among the various users and after commissioning of the scheme. Now they have 248 no’s meters were installed soon of individual water meter connections. Revenue collection @ Rs 60 + Rs. 5/- kilo ltrs per household is being collected.
Now all the connections are provided with water meters.
As effective revenue management system is a backbone for the sustainability of the water supply scheme. It becomes very important to fix and revise water tariff for operation and management requirement. Regular Capacity building trainings of revenue collector, water meter reader, cashier is crucial for Institutional strengthening of the GPWSC committee . In village Singhpura, Collection of water bills is done by the Cashier Sh. Gurnam Singh. In case of any fault in meter during use, an average bill of previous three months usage is charged. The GPWSC supplies new water meters in lieu of faulty meters. The charges for the new meter are borne by the consumer. If any consumer is found guilty of misusing the water, his water connection gets disconnected & reconnection charges are met by the consumer. As Revenue management system is an important aspect of any Water supply System to make itself sustainable. Monthly revenue generated from water charges Rs. 25000/- approximately & they have surplus amount in O & M account i.e. Rs.6.5 lakhs .
Water supply system in the village is sustainable as 100% household has obtained individual water connections. Adequate arrangements have been made for keeping a record of meter readings, raising of water bill as per consumption of water, collection of water bill by the due date, provision for charging for non functional water meter on previous average consumption basis, quick repair of the defective meters, collection of water bill and imposition of penalty if paid after due date and maintenance of accounts by GPWSC. Water pressure is upto 30 feet at tail end. No tullu pumpis required for lifting water in individual tanks. 24×7 supply gives significantly better service to all consumers with access to clean water with improved quantity, timing, and pressure, including effective service to supply pipe ‘tail ends’.
Water supply scheme GPWSC Singhpura is running satisfactorily from year 2011.
Inputs by: – Ms. Rimpy, CDS
Paani di Kahaani (ਪਾਣੀ ਦੀ ਕਹਾਣੀ) 