Outsourcing is DJB's plan for plugging water leakage

to minimise loss of water.
Speaking at the Water Summit 2009, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Negi also emphasised the need for investment by the private sector, especially with lesser funds being made available by the government due to recession. Said Negi: "DJB spends Rs 1,500 crore annually on improving Delhi's water supply, this has to be augmented with private sector participation. The investment opportunities in the sector are going up manifolds and a public-private partnership models need to be worked out by which the government will provide land and the private counterpart will carry out water recycling.''

According to Negi, since more than 45% of the city is unplanned growth, the consumers often face water shortage. "As DJB does not have sufficient water inventory, the present norm of 450/350 litre per head per day for hospitals and hotels respectively will soon go down to 200 litres. Hotel and hospitals share the concerns and will recycle the remaining as per their needs," he said.

Talking of saline water supply in Delhi due to higher levels of ammonia and chloride, Negi said while the problem was more or less under control now, DJB had written to Haryana government and central pollution control board also, to control the problem of pollutants being released into Yamuna from industries of Panipat. "When the first rain happens the pollutants that are usually accumulated around the industries enter the Wazirabad pond causing problems,'' said Negi.

Meanwhile, an education kit for children was also released during the summit which was aimed at educating them about water conservation and capturing it as a positive influence on parents.

Francios E Binder, country director and counsellor, Swiss agency for development and cooperation, suggested that the water sector in India should adhere to appropriate regulatory framework which incorporates consumer protection, environmental standards, pricing mechanism and enhancing sustainability. He added that the sector has to introduce accountability amongst stakeholders.