Addressing the Urban Services Divide through Integrated Solutions
The rapid growth of cities in the global South has resulted in a widening urban services divide, leaving millions without access to basic infrastructure and opportunities. This challenge is particularly acute in Hyderabad, India, where over 35% of the population lives in informal settlements lacking reliable water, sanitation, and other essential services.
To bridge this divide and build more inclusive, sustainable cities, cross-sectoral collaboration is essential. Hyderabad’s experience demonstrates how partnering across government agencies, community organizations, and the private sector can catalyze transformative change. By prioritizing the needs of the under-served, city leaders have pioneered innovative approaches to improve water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) access while enhancing livelihoods and environmental resilience.
Mapping the Urban Services Divide in Hyderabad
Hyderabad, the capital of Telangana state, is a rapidly growing metropolis of over 9 million people. Like many cities in India, its urban expansion has outpaced the provision of basic services, leading to stark inequities. According to the 2011 census, only 66% of Hyderabad’s population had access to piped water, and just 39% were connected to the sewer network. These citywide averages mask even greater deprivations in the city’s numerous informal settlements.
In Balapur, a low-income neighborhood on Hyderabad’s outskirts, residents rely on public standpipes and private tankers for their daily water needs. “The water from the taps is only available for a couple of hours every few days,” explains Rani, a local community leader. “We have to store it in drums and buckets, which can become breeding grounds for mosquitoes.” Lacking access to piped sewers, households resort to unsafe practices like discharging wastewater into open drains or using basic pit latrines.
The consequences of poor WASH access are widespread, affecting public health, the environment, and economic productivity. Waterborne diseases, such as diarrhea and cholera, pose serious threats, especially for children. The lack of proper sanitation also contributes to groundwater contamination and surface water pollution, undermining urban ecosystems. Furthermore, the time and money spent by low-income households procuring water and managing waste detract from their ability to pursue education and income-generating activities.
Catalyzing Citywide Transformation through Cross-Sectoral Partnerships
In response to these challenges, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) has worked to expand its infrastructure and service delivery. However, traditional approaches focusing solely on expanding piped networks have proven insufficient to reach the most marginalized communities. To achieve comprehensive, equitable WASH access, the city has pioneered an integrated, cross-sectoral model involving diverse stakeholders.
Partnering with Community Organizations
The Hyderabad city government has forged strong partnerships with community-based organizations (CBOs) to co-create WASH solutions tailored to local needs. In the Balapur slum, the HMWSSB collaborated with the Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP), a state-level initiative that organizes women’s self-help groups (SHGs), to address water scarcity.
“The HMWSSB listened to our concerns and worked with the SHGs to design a decentralized water supply system,” recounts Rani. “They installed a borewell and overhead tank, and trained community members to operate and maintain the system. Now, we have reliable access to clean water right in our neighborhood.”
This community-driven approach has been instrumental in expanding access to sanitation as well. In the nearby Daspalla Hills slum, the HMWSSB partnered with the non-profit Center for Environmental and Social Concern (CESC) to construct public toilet complexes managed by local women’s groups. The initiative not only improved sanitation but also created income-generating opportunities for residents.
“Before, we had to walk long distances to use public toilets that were often dirty and unsafe, especially for women,” says Meena, a Daspalla Hills resident. “Now, the new complexes are conveniently located, well-maintained, and run by our own SHG members. It has made a huge difference in our daily lives.”
Leveraging Private Sector Expertise
In addition to community partnerships, Hyderabad has also engaged the private sector to enhance WASH service delivery. The city has pioneered a model of “Delegated Management,” where the HMWSSB contracts private operators to manage and maintain water supply infrastructure in underserved neighborhoods.
For example, in the Balapur slum, the HMWSSB collaborated with a private company, Vishwa, to operate and maintain the decentralized water supply system. Vishwa trains local youth to handle routine tasks, fostering a sense of community ownership. “The private operator is more responsive to our needs and quicker to address any issues with the water supply,” says Rani.
Similarly, the HMWSSB has partnered with private firms to construct and manage public toilet complexes in informal settlements. These arrangements ensure proper maintenance and cleanliness, while also creating jobs for local residents as caretakers and fee collectors.
Integrating Environmental Sustainability
Hyderabad’s cross-sectoral WASH interventions also address environmental sustainability. The city has implemented initiatives to reuse and recycle water, reduce water wastage, and protect urban water bodies.
For instance, the HMWSSB is piloting a decentralized wastewater treatment system in the Balapur slum, which treats greywater for non-potable uses like toilet flushing and gardening. This approach not only conserves freshwater resources but also prevents the discharge of untreated wastewater into local water bodies.
Furthermore, the city has launched a program to revive and maintain its network of lakes and tanks, many of which had become polluted or encroached upon due to rapid urbanization. By desilting, dredging, and strengthening the borders of these water bodies, Hyderabad is enhancing groundwater recharge, mitigating floods, and improving the overall urban ecosystem.
Building Resilience through Integrated WASH Solutions
Hyderabad’s experience demonstrates how cross-sectoral collaboration can foster comprehensive, equitable, and sustainable WASH interventions. By partnering with community organizations and the private sector, the city has been able to expand access to water and sanitation, create livelihood opportunities, and promote environmental conservation.
These integrated solutions have strengthened the resilience of Hyderabad’s most vulnerable communities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, the decentralized water supply systems and well-maintained public toilets proved invaluable, enabling residents to practice hand hygiene and maintain physical distancing. The city’s efforts to revive urban water bodies also helped mitigate the impact of recurring floods, which disproportionately affect informal settlements.
As Hyderabad continues to grow, replicating and scaling up this cross-sectoral approach will be crucial to addressing the urban services divide and building a more inclusive, sustainable future. By empowering communities, leveraging private expertise, and integrating environmental concerns, city leaders can create a blueprint for transformative change that can inspire other rapidly urbanizing cities in India and beyond.
To learn more about Hyderabad’s innovative WASH initiatives, visit the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board website.
