24x7 water supply in Punjab: international funding for local action

Rural water supply in Punjab has undergone a substantial change due to the World Bank funded Punjab Rural Water Supply and Sanitation project. Service levels been improved markedly in the successful villages studied – to 24x7 supply – with communities taking full ownership and responsibility. During this process the local government department (DWSS) has begun a systematic process of change, which will see it move from an engineering body, focused on building infrastructure, to one committed to service delivery.

• The project invested in high quality infrastructure, with an excellent service from the very start: people are more willing to pay when they see a transformative change in the service they receive. By ensuring that the infrastructure was of the best quality, it not only helps ensure service delivery into the future – for example mitigating reduced groundwater levels – but provides a service people feel is aspirational.
• There is a high level of transparency and accountability with the water committees: each village studied had comprehensive records, and a commitment to sharing this information: such as 'transparency boards' located outside the pump-house. When users know where their tariffs are going, they are less likely to question if the money is being spent appropriately, and more likely to pay willingly.
• The programme has been statewide: from the outset this project was seen as part of a Sector Wide Approach (SWAp) to rural water supply. This change has required considerable political leadership, but the scale generated by the SWAp has been essential. This has allowed a systematic IEC programme to be implemented, and in particular the development of 'role model' villages to inspire others, now reportedly reaching over 500 villages