Empowering Communities to Drive WASH Improvements
Access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services is a fundamental human right and a critical component of sustainable development. However, in many urban slums across India, communities continue to face significant challenges in accessing reliable, affordable, and equitable WASH services. Hyderabad, the capital of Telangana state, is no exception – its sprawling slum settlements often lack adequate infrastructure and mechanisms for communities to hold service providers accountable.
Strengthening community engagement and feedback in the WASH sector is essential for driving lasting improvements. By empowering slum dwellers to monitor service delivery, identify gaps, and advocate for change, we can ensure that WASH investments and interventions truly meet the needs of the most vulnerable populations. This article explores how community-based monitoring (CBM) and feedback mechanisms have been leveraged in Hyderabad to enhance WASH service delivery and accountability.
Mapping the WASH Landscape in Hyderabad’s Slums
Hyderabad is home to over 1,700 recognized slum settlements, housing an estimated 1.8 million people – nearly a quarter of the city’s total population. These communities face a range of WASH-related challenges, including:
- Unreliable and intermittent water supply, with many households relying on public stand posts or private tankers
- Lack of access to improved sanitation facilities, leading to widespread open defecation
- Inadequate solid waste management systems, resulting in unhygienic living conditions
- Limited awareness and adoption of critical hygiene practices like handwashing
The primary service providers responsible for WASH in Hyderabad’s slums are the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) and the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC). However, these institutions have historically struggled to effectively reach and serve slum communities, due to a combination of resource constraints, institutional silos, and limited community engagement.
Strengthening Community Voices through CBM
To address these challenges, civil society organizations (CSOs) in Hyderabad have pioneered the use of community-based monitoring (CBM) approaches to empower slum dwellers and drive WASH improvements. CBM involves training and supporting community members to regularly collect data on the availability, quality, and accessibility of WASH services in their neighborhoods.
One such initiative is the Slum WASH Monitoring Program, implemented by the Center for Action Research and People’s Development (CARPED) in collaboration with local communities. Through this program, CARPED has established a network of Community WASH Monitors – trusted individuals from within the slums who are equipped with the skills and tools to regularly assess WASH service levels and report their findings to both service providers and community members.
“The Community WASH Monitors play a crucial role in bridging the gap between slum residents and the local authorities,” explains Suresh, a CARPED project coordinator. “By gathering real-time data and elevating community voices, they have been able to catalyze tangible improvements in water supply, sanitation infrastructure, and waste management services.”
The CBM approach has empowered slum communities to move beyond passive beneficiaries to active stakeholders in the WASH sector. Community WASH Monitors not only collect data but also facilitate community meetings, organize advocacy campaigns, and directly engage with service providers to demand accountable and responsive service delivery.
Institutionalizing Feedback Loops for Improved WASH Governance
Complementing the community-driven monitoring efforts, Hyderabad’s WASH sector has also seen the emergence of innovative feedback mechanisms that enable slum residents to voice their concerns and experiences directly to service providers.
One notable example is the Citizen Action for Water and Sanitation (CAWS) initiative, implemented by the Center for Advocacy and Research (CFAR) in partnership with HMWSSB. This program established a network of Community Water and Sanitation Committees (CWSCs) in slum settlements, providing platforms for residents to regularly interface with HMWSSB officials and collectively identify and resolve WASH-related challenges.
“The CWSC meetings have become a vital space for community members to not only share their grievances but also work collaboratively with the water board to find sustainable solutions,” says Salma, a CWSC representative from the Jahangirpura slum. “We’ve been able to secure commitments from HMWSSB to improve water supply timings, construct new public toilets, and enhance solid waste collection services in our locality.”
These feedback mechanisms have also proven instrumental in amplifying community voices during the planning and implementation of large-scale WASH infrastructure projects. For instance, when HMWSSB initiated the construction of a new sewage treatment plant in the Nallakunta area, the local CWSC facilitated extensive consultations with affected slum communities. This enabled residents to share their concerns and priorities, ultimately shaping the project design to better meet their needs.
Leveraging Data for Advocacy and Accountability
The data collected through community-based monitoring efforts has also been crucial for strengthening advocacy and accountability in Hyderabad’s WASH sector. CSOs like CARPED and CFAR have worked closely with slum communities to analyze the CBM findings, identify systemic gaps and inequities, and leverage this evidence to engage with local authorities.
“The data we gather through the Slum WASH Monitoring Program has been instrumental in making the case for increased investments and improved service delivery in underserved communities,” says Suresh. “We’ve been able to work with HMWSSB and GHMC to prioritize infrastructure upgrades, ensure equitable resource allocation, and enhance the responsiveness of frontline service providers.”
Similarly, the CWSC feedback mechanisms have enabled slum residents to hold service providers accountable and drive tangible improvements. When community members reported persistent issues with water quality and sanitation services, the CWSCs escalated these concerns to HMWSSB, leading to remedial actions such as the installation of new water filters and the deployment of additional sanitation workers.
Building Resilience through Community Engagement
The COVID-19 pandemic has further underscored the critical importance of robust WASH systems and the need for community engagement in ensuring their effectiveness. Hyderabad’s slum communities, which were disproportionately impacted by the health crisis, have leveraged the existing CBM and feedback platforms to coordinate pandemic response efforts and advocate for targeted WASH interventions.
“During the lockdowns, the Community WASH Monitors played a vital role in monitoring water and sanitation services, identifying vulnerable households, and mobilizing emergency relief supplies,” explains Suresh. “They also worked closely with local authorities to ensure that critical WASH infrastructure, such as handwashing stations and public toilets, remained functional and accessible to all.”
These community-driven initiatives have not only enhanced WASH service delivery but also strengthened the overall resilience of slum communities. By fostering active engagement, promoting transparency, and facilitating collaborative problem-solving, the CBM and feedback mechanisms have equipped residents with the knowledge, skills, and collective agency to navigate crises and advocate for their rights.
Scaling up and Sustaining Community-Driven WASH Improvements
The experiences in Hyderabad demonstrate the transformative potential of community-based monitoring and feedback mechanisms in the WASH sector. By empowering slum dwellers to play an active role in service delivery, these approaches have driven tangible improvements in water supply, sanitation infrastructure, and waste management services.
However, sustaining and scaling up these community-centered initiatives will require concerted efforts on multiple fronts:
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Strengthening Institutional Partnerships: Fostering stronger collaborations between CSOs, local authorities, and service providers is essential for institutionalizing community engagement and ensuring that feedback loops are integrated into WASH planning and decision-making processes.
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Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing: Investing in the training and support of Community WASH Monitors and CWSC members will be crucial for enhancing their skills, knowledge, and confidence in navigating WASH governance systems.
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Leveraging Technology and Digital Solutions: Incorporating innovative digital tools and platforms for data collection, analysis, and real-time reporting can enhance the scalability and sustainability of community-based monitoring initiatives.
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Mainstreaming Community Engagement: Advocating for the inclusion of community-centered approaches in WASH policy frameworks and sector programs will help cement the role of slum residents as active stakeholders in service delivery.
By harnessing the power of community-based monitoring and feedback mechanisms, Hyderabad’s WASH sector can continue to evolve, becoming more responsive, inclusive, and resilient – ultimately ensuring that every citizen, regardless of their socioeconomic status, has access to the clean water, safe sanitation, and healthy living conditions they deserve.
