Empowering Communities to Tackle Water and Sanitation Challenges
In the rapidly expanding city of Hyderabad, India, a remarkable transformation is underway – one that puts community engagement at the heart of improving water and sanitation services. Faced with the daunting challenge of providing essential infrastructure to a growing population, local authorities have embraced a people-centric approach, harnessing the knowledge and participation of residents to revitalize neighborhoods and address longstanding inequities.
Uncovering the Urban Services Divide
Like many cities in the global South, Hyderabad has grappled with an urban services divide that separates the “better-served” with access to clean water, reliable sanitation, and other core amenities, from the “under-served” who lack these basic necessities. This divide has had severe consequences, burdening vulnerable communities with higher costs, health risks, and limited economic opportunities.
According to a study by the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), over 40% of Hyderabad’s population lives in informal settlements or slums, many of which lack access to piped water and proper sewerage. Residents in these areas often rely on shared public taps, expensive private tankers, or unsafe groundwater sources, spending a significant portion of their income on securing water. The lack of proper sanitation facilities has led to widespread open defecation and the contamination of local water bodies, posing serious health hazards.
“The urban services divide is not just a problem of infrastructure – it’s a reflection of deeper social and spatial inequalities that shape the lived experience of city residents,” explains Anjali Mahendra, Director of Global Research at WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities. “Tackling this challenge requires a holistic, community-driven approach that empowers marginalized groups and fosters inclusive, sustainable development.”
Mobilizing Communities for Water-Sensitive Regeneration
Recognizing the need for a new model, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) has pioneered an innovative approach – one that puts community engagement at the heart of its water and sanitation initiatives. This shift towards a “water-sensitive” urban regeneration strategy has yielded impressive results, transforming the way the city addresses its most pressing water challenges.
The key to this approach lies in building strong partnerships with local communities. HMWSSB has actively engaged residents, particularly in informal settlements, to understand their needs and priorities. By conducting comprehensive surveys, the utility has mapped the location and condition of existing water and sanitation infrastructure, as well as the barriers faced by households in accessing these vital services.
“We realized that top-down, one-size-fits-all solutions were not working,” says Sudhir Chandra, Managing Director of HMWSSB. “To truly address the urban services divide, we needed to empower communities to become active participants in the decision-making process and the implementation of water and sanitation projects.”
Through a series of inclusive stakeholder consultations, HMWSSB has worked closely with residents to co-create tailored solutions that respond to the unique needs of each neighborhood. This collaborative approach has fostered a sense of ownership and investment among community members, who have become active champions of water conservation and sanitation improvements.
“When people feel like they have a say in how their community is developed, they’re much more likely to take care of the infrastructure and use it responsibly,” explains Sudhir Chandra. “By tapping into local knowledge and resources, we’ve been able to develop more sustainable and equitable solutions that work for everyone.”
Integrating Informal Service Providers
Hyderabad’s water-sensitive regeneration strategy has also recognized the vital role played by informal service providers, who have long filled the gaps left by the formal system. Instead of dismissing or criminalizing these informal actors, the city has sought to integrate them into the water and sanitation infrastructure.
In neighborhoods where the formal network is limited, HMWSSB has partnered with private water tanker operators, community-based organizations, and even individual households to establish decentralized water supply and treatment systems. These “alternative service providers” are trained, regulated, and supported to ensure the quality and affordability of their services, while also connecting them to the broader water management framework.
Similarly, in the sanitation sector, the city has worked with informal pit emptiers and waste collectors to formalize their operations, providing them with the necessary equipment, training, and legal recognition. This approach not only improves the working conditions and incomes of these essential workers but also helps to ensure the safe and sustainable management of waste within the community.
“Informal service providers are a reality in cities like Hyderabad, and they often serve the most vulnerable populations,” says Anjali Mahendra. “By embracing these informal actors and integrating them into the formal system, cities can leverage their knowledge and resources to expand access to services in a more equitable and inclusive manner.”
Catalyzing Citywide Transformation
Hyderabad’s water-sensitive regeneration efforts have had a ripple effect, catalyzing broader changes in the way the city approaches urban development. By focusing on the needs of marginalized communities and fostering collaborative, community-driven solutions, the city has been able to unlock new pathways for transformative change.
One key outcome has been the integration of water and sanitation considerations into the city’s overall spatial planning and land use management processes. HMWSSB now works closely with the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) to ensure that new developments and urban expansion projects are designed with water sensitivity in mind, prioritizing the provision of essential services and the protection of natural water bodies.
Moreover, the success of the community-based water and sanitation initiatives has inspired the city to adopt a more participatory approach to urban governance more broadly. Hyderabad has empowered neighborhood-level committees and community organizations to play a greater role in identifying local needs, monitoring service delivery, and holding authorities accountable.
“The water-sensitive regeneration model has demonstrated the transformative potential of citizen engagement and inclusive decision-making,” says Sudhir Chandra. “By shifting power to the people and fostering collaborative solutions, we’ve been able to tackle longstanding inequities and build a more resilient, sustainable city for all.”
Lessons for Other Cities
Hyderabad’s experience offers valuable insights for cities around the world grappling with the challenge of providing equitable water and sanitation services. The key lessons include:
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Prioritize community engagement: Meaningful participation of residents, especially those in marginalized communities, is essential for understanding local needs, co-creating tailored solutions, and fostering a sense of ownership.
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Embrace informal service providers: Informal actors often fill critical gaps in service delivery and possess valuable knowledge. Integrating them into the formal system can help expand access and improve quality.
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Adopt a holistic, water-sensitive approach: Aligning water and sanitation initiatives with broader urban planning and land use management processes can ensure more sustainable and equitable outcomes.
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Empower communities in urban governance: Strengthening the role of community organizations and neighborhood-level committees in decision-making can lead to transformative change that benefits all city residents.
As cities around the world strive to meet the Sustainable Development Goals and build more resilient, inclusive communities, Hyderabad’s water-sensitive regeneration model offers a compelling roadmap for success. By placing people at the heart of urban development, cities can unlock the power of collective action and drive lasting, positive change.
