Study Tour to South Asia by NIUA Team Members under FIRE(D) Project

Date: 22-26 September 2008

Venue: Manila, Singapore, Bangkok

A team from NIUA comprising Prof. Mukesh Mathur, Dr. Debjani Ghosh and Ms. Paramita Datta Dey visited Manila, Singapore and Bangkok during 22^nd –26^th September 08 to study innovative urban water resources management programmes with a focus on water supply policy and reforms.

The first visit was at Manila where the team held meetings with senior officials of Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) and through presentation and discussions understood the functioning of the above. MWSS is the oldest water system in Asia at 130 years and has control over all waterworks and sewerage systems within Metro Manila for a total service area of 1940 sq. kms. The mandate/mission of MWSS is to ensure uninterrupted adequate supply of potable water and equitable distribution of water at an affordable price. MWSS consists both of a corporate office (main function being working with the concessionaires in the development of new water resources) and a regulatory office (main function being monitoring, reviewing and enforcing standards of service delivery to customers). Since August 1977, the operation of the system of waterworks and sewerage services was privatized under a Concession Agreement subdivided into east and west areas with the objective of transferring financial burden to private sector, improving service standards, increase operational efficiency and minimize tariff impact.

The second meeting of the day took place at East Zone Concessionaire called the Manila Water Company was formed in 1977, the concession agreement being for 25 years. It serves the eastern segment of Manila which covers approximately 5.9 million population. In the first 10 years, the accomplishments included improving coverage by laying of mains and distribution mains, reduction of water losses, improving access to water supply as well as delivery of services and improving sewerage and sanitation services. The mandate for the next 15 years would be towards sustainable development with a perfect alignment between social/ environmental objectives and business goals through active community participation. Long-range plans include strengthening network/facilities; identifying new water resources as well expansion of wastewater treatment works, increase customer base and other environmental initiatives.

The third meeting and discussion was with the West Zone concessionaire called the Mayniland Water Services Incorporated (MWCI) which serves the western zone of Metro Manila. 20% of the connections in this sector constitute the urban poor. The mandate of the MWCI presently is only water supply and not sanitation where a revised policy for the low-income users was being worked out. Much of MWCI’s implementation was through work with NGOs where two of the most successful projects- GAWAD KALINGA project and BASECO (comprising of low cost housing and provision of water and electricity for the poor community along the sea-port etc.) deserve special mention. Almost 15,000 families had been benefited so far. The meetings were accompanied by visits to some of these areas to see the low-income housing and water supply system in these areas.

The next visit was to Singapore where discussions/presentation took place at the Public Utility Board (PUB) which is the sole water agency to manage the complete water cycle including sourcing, collection, purification and supply of drinking water to treatment of used water and turning it into NEWater as also drainage of storm water. Formed under the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, PUB is a statutory board constituted under the Public Utilities Act 2001 to provide integrated water supply, sewerage and drainage services. Their vision is water for all and mission is to ensure efficient, adequate and sustainable supply of water. PUB has the unique distinction of having recycled and treated used water for direct non-potable use and supplied to the population and industries.

The second round of discussion/meeting was at the Water Hub where technology, learning and networking came together for publicity of sustainable water for cities. Water Hub was more like a dissemination center where the lessons from improved technology were displayed and also disseminated in all of Singapore.

Thirdly a round of discussions/presentation was held at Singapore Cooperation Enterprise (SCE) (formed by the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore) an agency to respond effectively to the many foreign requests to tap on Singapore’s development experience. SCE works closely with Singapore’s 15 ministries and over 60 statutory boards to tailor possible solutions to match the foreign party’s needs.  Solutions could include visit programmes, trainings, consultancy services and even project implementation. Its mission is to share Singapore’s public sector expertise with interested foreign parties, which can be government agencies or non-government entities. In so doing they aim to build long-term partnerships with foreign parties and also hope to generate business opportunities for Singapore’s private sectors.

A visit to the Bedok Used Water treatment plant, which generates NEWater, and to various locations to see low-income housing in Singapore completed the trip.

The final visit was to Bangkok where the NIUA team had discussions with Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) of Thailand, which was formed in 1979 and is the state authority under the Ministry of Interior. It is responsible for promoting public water supply business and raw water sale, survey sources of raw water acquisition outside the metropolitan area. The Metropolitan Water Authority (MWA) is responsible for overall water system within Bangkok. PWA provides piped water to 20% of the total population of Thailand, which are roughly about 2.6 million households through 228 water works.

The vision for PWA reads thus: organization with high efficiency in providing full access to standard drinking water supply service to the population throughout the country. Some of their significant projects include: Drinkable tap Water Project, NRW Reduction, Human Resource Management Project and Information Technology Development Project.

The visit to the Ayuthala water works with a treatment and processing plant as well as a sewage treatment plant about 50 kms from Bangkok along with visit to low income household locations completed the trip.