Quenching Thirst: Drink-from-the-Tap Project: OMBADC, Odisha

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Project Details

Category: Drinking Water
Project Title: Drink-from-the-Tap Mission
Department or District: Odisha Mineral Areas Development Corporation (OMBADC), in collaboration with the Water Corporation of Odisha (WATCO)
State: Odisha
Start Date of the Project: The project was launched in August 2019
Website: https://www.ombadc.in/

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Tribe(s) that the Project Covers: The project indirectly benefits tribal populations residing in urban and peri-urban areas of Odisha, including Scheduled Tribes living in slums and disadvantaged neighborhoods such as Ishaneswar Basti in Bhubaneswar and Masani Chandi in Puri.

Keywords: WATCO, OMBADC, Jalsathi Initiative, SDG6 India, Jal Jeevan Mission, Community-led Water Management

Odisha has made a remarkable leap in its journey toward universal access to safe drinking water through the Drink-from-the-Tap Mission. This transformative initiative aims to provide 24×7, safe, piped water directly to households, ensuring that citizens can drink water straight from their taps without additional filtration or boiling.

The Project

The Drink-from-the-Tap Mission was initiated by WATCO in August 2019, under the directive of the Government of Odisha. Its primary goal is to ensure continuous supply of high-quality drinking water to all urban households. The project combines advanced water treatment technologies, real-time monitoring, and community partnerships to deliver assured water quality round the clock. It began with pilot projects in Bhubaneswar and Puri, and is now being scaled across 114 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).

Problems that it Intends to Solve

The project aims to eliminate health risks caused by contaminated or untreated water, reduce the burden of overhead storage tanks and domestic filtration systems, and stop the practice of intermittent water supply that often results in water-borne diseases. It also seeks to reduce non-revenue water through full metering.

What Was the Need

Intermittent and unsafe water supply had long been a challenge in Odisha’s urban centers. Citizens, especially in slums, often depended on contaminated water sources, leading to health issues. Traditional systems demanded heavy investments in storage, filtration, and pumping. The government recognized the urgency to modernize water infrastructure and provide equitable access to clean water.

Key obstacles included outdated infrastructure, lack of real-time monitoring, low public trust in tap water quality, and insufficient coverage in slum areas. Additionally, integrating a 24×7 supply model in resource-constrained urban settings posed operational and financial challenges.

Process Followed for Implementation

Pilot zones in Bhubaneswar and Puri were selected, covering EWS, LIG, MIG, and HIG categories, as well as commercial and institutional buildings. Water Treatment Plants with advanced technologies were installed. A centralized control system, GIS mapping, and real-time data monitoring ensured service delivery. Community members called “Jalsathis” were trained to manage connections, meter reading, and billing. Awareness campaigns and visible indicators like LED water quality boards helped build public confidence.

The Government of Odisha, through WATCO, led the initiative with support from OMBADC. The policy environment was supportive, offering incentives like free house connections for the urban poor, exemption from road-cutting charges, and installment-based payments.

Community involvement was central to the project’s success. More than 5,000 women from Mission Shakti Self-Help Groups were deployed as Jalsathis. They were responsible for door-to-door engagement, meter reading, bill collection, and promoting water conservation.

Key innovations included state-of-the-art water treatment units, lab-on-wheels for water quality testing, GIS-enabled monitoring systems, IVRS-based complaint registration, and Quick Response Teams for emergency maintenance. The project also implemented universal metering to improve accountability.

Innovation and Unique Features

The program’s ability to provide potable water straight from the tap, a first in India for a million-plus city, is a milestone. The introduction of Jalsathis as local service providers not only decentralized operations but empowered women economically.

The mission leveraged SCADA/PLC systems for real-time monitoring, IoT devices for water quality, digital dashboards for governance, and mobile applications for consumer engagement. Plumber certification and the Odisha Water Academy were introduced for capacity building.

The project was shaped by continuous feedback from local communities, with slum residents and SHG women involved from planning through execution. Public consultations were held to identify service gaps and customize solutions.

Based on field experience, several adaptations were made such as multilingual IVRS systems, revised tariff structures for the poor, and mobile-based complaint tracking. Training modules were updated to accommodate feedback from Jalsathis and field engineers.

Challenges Faced

• Internally, there was a shortage of skilled human resources and outdated water infrastructure. Externally, public skepticism and resistance to paying for water were prevalent.
• Capacity building through Odisha Water Academy, widespread IEC campaigns like the “Pure for Sure” initiative, and subsidies for poor households helped overcome resistance and build institutional capacity.
• Operational bottlenecks included road-cutting permissions, intermittent electrical supply in some zones, and reluctance to adopt metering.
• Policy reforms enabled easier household connections and flexible payment plans. Quick Response Teams and Jalsathis addressed technical complaints, while WATCO ensured maintenance through real-time monitoring.

Outcomes

Quantitatively, over 12 lakh households now receive 24×7 safe water, with universal metering, and over ₹250 crore is collected annually. Qualitatively, the project has reduced water-borne diseases, saved household expenses on filters and pumps, and empowered women through livelihood creation.

A central command center oversees all operations using GIS, SCADA systems, and field inspection apps. Customer feedback loops and third-party quality testing ensure transparency.

Beneficiaries

• Urban populations across 114 ULBs in Odisha, particularly the urban poor and tribal populations in slums, are the primary beneficiaries. The program also provides employment and training to thousands of SHG women.
• The pilot phase served over 1.85 lakh people in Bhubaneswar and Puri. As of 2023, more than 12 lakh households across 114 ULBs are being brought under the project’s ambit.

Replicability / Scalability / Sustainability

The model is scalable and already being replicated in other states. It aligns with SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and national Jal Jeevan Mission goals. Financial and operational sustainability is ensured through efficient billing and community involvement.

The initiative is integrated with state schemes like the JAGA Mission and national schemes like AMRUT. WATCO operates as a not-for-profit under the Companies Act, giving it autonomy and agility.

Revenues from household billing and cost-saving from NRW reduction make the project financially viable. With increasing public trust, payment compliance has improved.

The model has drawn national attention and is being reviewed for replication in other states. Bhubaneswar became the first Indian city with 100% functional household tap connections offering drinkable water.

Gallery

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