Abstract
A new form of coin-operated or electronic card-operated water vending machine; popularly known as the water ATMs (Automated Teller Machine) are gaining popularity as a ‘smart’ yet a ‘low-cost’ technology to provide safe water at nominal rates in India. Water ATMs are being currently experimented as a market-based solution on the idea of social entrepreneurship to provide safe drinking water to the urban poor in Delhi who are inadequately served by the public utility network. Based on a primary survey, the present case study aims to look at the challenges and opportunities these water ATMs pose. The study assesses its scope for further expansion as a solution to water security for urban poor residing in low income areas by analysing the issues of both supply side as well as demand side management of this technology. It is believed that water ATMs have tremendous potential to reduce waterborne diseases affecting the lives of millions of people in India and can minimize plastic waste and prevent plastic contamination as posed by the booming packaged water industries. Though water tariffs are nominal, water ATMs, for the first time are operating on the model of a paid community standpipe, in urban poor areas in India. So the big question remains whether the water ATMs can be seen as a complimentary source of safe water to the urban poor or it can be turned into an alternative option for universal coverage of piped network.
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Notes
These settlements consist of those households which were formerly residing in the illegal settlements and are resettled with the aid of public interventions. They are usually located in the peripheral areas of the city. It is a low income neighbourhood.
DJB is the public utility that is responsible for providing water in Delhi.
The number of registered users does not correctly give an idea of the water ATM coverage, as registration does not ensure its active use.
Pani means water in Hindi. Pani card literally means ‘water card’.
Transport cost includes salary of the driver, fuel and operational and maintenance charge of the vehicle.
A lower TDS in the water dispensed through the water ATMs changes the taste of the water completely.
Only 50–65% of the water is extracted after purification for use, rest goes as a waste.
Notified areas for groundwater regulations announced by CGWB. Available at: http://cgwb.gov.in/CGWA/List-Notified-Areas.html.
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Acknowledgement
This paper has been prepared from the project “Water insecurity among urban poor” funded by the University Grants Commission, India, under the Research award Programme, 2016–2019.
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Sarkar, A. The role of new ‘smart technology’ to provide water to the urban poor: a case study of water ATMs in Delhi, India. Energ. Ecol. Environ. 4, 166–174 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40974-019-00119-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40974-019-00119-4