2012年-世界发展银行全球_Improving_Urban_Water_Supply_and_Sanitation_Services___Advisory_Note_39页_433kb

Summary of the Advisory Note: Improving Urban Water Supply & Sanitation Services in India

Core Content

This Advisory Note, issued by the Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) in July 2012, outlines a comprehensive framework for improving urban water supply and sanitation (WSS) services in India. It emphasizes the need for policy, institutional, financial, and professional reforms to ensure sustainable, efficient, and customer-oriented service delivery. The document draws on experiences from World Bank-supported Urban WSS Business Plans in Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Haryana, and international good practices.

Main Objectives

• To guide States and Cities in formulating and implementing comprehensive WSS Sector Development Programs.
• To improve service delivery, accountability, and financial sustainability in the WSS sector.
• To promote the role of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in managing WSS services with support from State-level organizations and regulatory bodies.
• To encourage Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and community participation as tools for enhancing performance.

Key Areas for Improvement

The Advisory Note identifies six critical areas for reform in the WSS sector:

A. Clarifying the Mandates of Water Supply and Sanitation Service Providers

• ULBs should be the primary entities responsible for WSS services.
• The mandates of WSS service providers should be clearly defined, including ownership of assets and responsibility for service delivery.
• ULBs may choose to operate services internally or outsource to private contractors, with clear roles and responsibilities.
• Autonomous WSS service providers can be created under company law or statutes.
• Emphasis should be placed on sanitation and wastewater management, including sustainable technologies and community involvement.

B. Improving the Governance of Water Supply and Sanitation Service Providers

• ULBs should establish governance structures that ensure autonomy and accountability.
• Autonomy can be achieved through the incorporation of independent WSS service providers.
• ULBs and service providers should enter into short-term memoranda of understanding (MOUs) to outline commitments and obligations.
• Accountability to customers is crucial, requiring transparent information, consultation, and redress mechanisms.
• Internal procedures should be improved, including mission statements, quality control, performance targets, and staff engagement.

C. Financing Water Supply and Sanitation Operations and Infrastructure Development

• In the short term, ULBs and service providers should focus on recovering operational and maintenance (O&M) costs through user fees.
• Financing should be a mix of user fees, subsidies, grants, and public/commercial debt.
• States should provide phased financial support during the transition to sustainable services.
• Financial transparency and accountability are essential, including double-entry book-keeping and annual reporting.

D. Regulating the Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Services

• Independent regulatory bodies should be established to set standards, monitor performance, and adjust tariffs.
• In the short term, regulation may focus on performance standards and monitoring.
• Regulatory authorities should also be responsible for licensing and renewing services, and for defining the rights and obligations of service providers.

E. Building Capacity, Developing Procedures, and Professionalizing Actors in the Sector

• Capacity building at all levels (State, ULB, and service providers) is essential for improving service delivery.
• The State WSS Department should provide technical support, guidance, and capacity-building initiatives.
• Standardized procedures for design, construction, and maintenance should be developed.
• Training programs and recruitment guidelines should be established to enhance professional competence.

F. Developing Procedures for Community Participation

• Community participation should be integrated into the planning and implementation of WSS services.
• Public disclosure of key features of service agreements and performance benchmarks is necessary.
• Citizens should be involved in decision-making processes and have access to information and redress mechanisms.

Key Recommendations

• Sector Development Program (SDP): States should prepare a detailed SDP for the next ten years, focusing on outcomes and efficiency.
• Service Improvement Plan (SIP): A SIP should be developed at the ULB level to translate policy statements into actionable steps.
• Phased Transition: ULBs should transition to sustainable WSS operations in three phases, starting with ring-fencing of WSS assets and ending with full privatization or PPP models if necessary.
• PPP Models: Various PPP models should be explored, including management contracts, service contracts, performance contracts, and design-build-operate (DBO) models.
• Regulatory Framework: Independent regulatory agencies should be established to oversee service quality, financial sustainability, and performance standards.
• Community Engagement: Citizens should be actively involved in WSS planning and service delivery, with mechanisms for consultation and redress.

Conclusion

The Advisory Note underscores the importance of decentralization, accountability, and professionalization in the WSS sector. It provides a roadmap for improving service delivery through institutional reforms, financial sustainability, and community participation. The goal is to ensure that urban WSS services are efficient, equitable, and aligned with the needs of the urban poor. The document serves as a guiding framework for State Governments and ULBs to implement reforms and achieve better outcomes in the WSS sector.