Transforming Urban WASH through Community Engagement
Ensuring equitable access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services is a persistent challenge for rapidly growing cities in the global South. In Hyderabad, India, a city grappling with widening socioeconomic divides and the impacts of climate change, a pioneering approach is empowering marginalized slum communities as active partners in the design and delivery of WASH infrastructure.
“Nothing about us without us” has become the rallying cry for slum residents in Hyderabad, demanding a seat at the table in decisions that shape their neighborhoods and daily lives. Through a participatory, inclusive model, the city is breaking down barriers to WASH access and catalyzing transformative change.
Overcoming the Urban WASH Crisis
Hyderabad, the capital of Telangana state, is home to over 10 million people, with an estimated 35% living in informal settlements or slums. These communities face acute shortages of basic services, with only 60% having access to piped water and just 40% connected to the sewerage network. Compounding the problem, over 40% of households rely on shared or public toilets, exposing residents to significant health and safety risks.
The urban WASH crisis in Hyderabad mirrors the challenges faced by cities across India and the global South. Rapid, unplanned urbanization has outpaced the capacity of local governments to provide adequate infrastructure and services, leaving marginalized communities – often located on the urban periphery or in informal settlements – neglected. Entrenched power dynamics, weak governance, and limited resources have perpetuated these inequities.
“We used to spend hours every day just fetching water. The quality was poor, and our kids would frequently fall sick. It was a constant struggle,” shares Fatima, a resident of the Balapur slum. “Things have improved, but we’re still lacking proper sanitation and drainage. Whenever it rains, our homes get flooded.”
A Paradigm Shift: Slum Residents as Co-Designers
In 2015, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) embarked on a groundbreaking initiative to transform WASH service delivery by placing slum residents at the heart of the process. Recognizing the limitations of top-down, government-led approaches, the utility partnered with the non-profit organization Aruna to pilot a co-design model in select informal settlements.
The key principles underpinning this approach are:
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Inclusive Participation: Rather than treating slum residents as passive beneficiaries, the co-design process actively engages community members, especially women and youth, as experts and decision-makers.
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Iterative Planning: Instead of imposing pre-determined solutions, the co-design approach involves iterative cycles of needs assessments, prototyping, and feedback to refine WASH infrastructure and services.
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Capacity Building: Slum residents receive training on technical aspects, project management, and advocacy to empower them as active partners throughout the process.
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Collaborative Governance: The co-design model fosters ongoing collaboration between the utility, local government, and community representatives to ensure accountability and sustained impact.
“In the past, the water board would just show up and start laying pipes without consulting us. Now, they work closely with our community group to understand our needs and preferences,” explains Lakshmi, a resident of the Ambedkar Nagar slum. “We’ve been able to provide crucial feedback on the design of public taps and ensure they’re located in accessible areas.”
Tackling the Urban Hydra: Integrated WASH Solutions
The co-design approach in Hyderabad has yielded integrated WASH solutions that address the multifaceted nature of the urban WASH crisis. By combining infrastructure upgrades with social and behavioral change interventions, the model has delivered tangible improvements in service delivery and community resilience.
Water Supply: Through the co-design process, residents have secured more equitable access to piped water, with the placement and design of public taps tailored to their needs. Community water user groups now manage and maintain these facilities, ensuring reliable supply.
Sanitation: The co-design of community toilet complexes has led to improved access, cleanliness, and safety, especially for women and girls. Residents have also been trained to operate and maintain the facilities, fostering a sense of ownership.
Hygiene Promotion: Alongside infrastructure upgrades, the model integrates hygiene education programs to drive behavior change. Women’s groups and youth volunteers spearhead these initiatives, promoting handwashing, menstrual health, and environmental sanitation.
Flood Resilience: To address the growing threat of urban flooding, the co-design approach has incorporated drainage improvements and early warning systems. Community members have been trained to monitor water levels and alert authorities during heavy rainfall.
“Before, we were at the mercy of the water board and the municipality. Now, we’re active partners in deciding where taps should go, how toilets should be designed, and what kind of drainage is needed,” says Fatima. “It’s empowering to have a real say in shaping the infrastructure that impacts our daily lives.”
Scaling Up for Citywide Transformation
The success of the co-design pilot in Hyderabad has catalyzed a city-wide scale-up, with the HMWSSB and Aruna expanding the model to over 150 informal settlements. This has required navigating complex institutional dynamics and securing buy-in from diverse stakeholders.
Key strategies for scaling up the co-design approach include:
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Strengthening Institutional Collaboration: The utility has forged partnerships with the municipal corporation, urban development authority, and community-based organizations to harmonize policies, align investment plans, and streamline service delivery.
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Developing Capacity-Building Programs: Comprehensive training modules have been designed to equip utility staff, engineers, and community facilitators with the skills to effectively engage residents and co-create solutions.
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Securing Dedicated Financing: The city has earmarked dedicated budgets for the co-design program, complemented by leveraging state and national urban development schemes.
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Enhancing Data and Monitoring: Robust data collection, mapping, and monitoring systems have been established to track progress, identify service gaps, and guide iterative improvements.
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Fostering Knowledge Sharing: Hyderabad is actively sharing its co-design model with other Indian cities through peer-to-peer learning exchanges and technical assistance programs.
“The co-design approach has transformed how we think about urban WASH. It’s no longer just about building infrastructure – it’s about empowering communities and creating lasting change,” says Ajay Suri, the HMWSSB’s Chief Engineer. “We’re seeing tangible improvements in service levels, but more importantly, a renewed sense of ownership and agency among slum residents.”
Lessons for Inclusive and Sustainable WASH
The co-design model pioneered in Hyderabad offers valuable insights for cities grappling with the urban WASH crisis. Key lessons include:
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Put Communities First: Engage marginalized residents as active partners, not passive beneficiaries, throughout the entire WASH planning and implementation process.
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Integrate Infrastructure and Behavior Change: Combine physical upgrades with social and educational interventions to drive sustainable improvements in WASH access and outcomes.
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Foster Collaborative Governance: Establish robust mechanisms for ongoing coordination and accountability between local government, utilities, and community representatives.
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Secure Dedicated Financing: Earmark sufficient budgets and leverage diverse funding sources to ensure the long-term viability and scalability of co-design initiatives.
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Embrace Iterative Learning: Adopt a flexible, adaptive approach that incorporates community feedback to refine solutions and respond to emerging challenges.
As cities in the global South confront the compounding pressures of rapid urbanization, climate change, and persistent inequities, the co-design model in Hyderabad offers a blueprint for transforming WASH service delivery through inclusive, community-driven approaches. By empowering slum residents as co-designers, cities can unlock more sustainable, equitable, and resilient WASH solutions that leave no one behind.
https://jointactionforwater.org/
