India, a nation of over 1.3 billion people, is rapidly urbanizing and evolving. Amidst this growth, the country faces significant challenges in managing its water and sanitation needs. According to the UN World Water Development Report 2023, the global urban population facing water scarcity is projected to double from 930 million in 2016 to 1.7–2.4 billion people in 2050, with India projected to be the most severely affected.
According to the National Water Mission, 38,000 million litres per day (mld) of wastewater are generated in the urban centres that have a population of more than 50,000 in India (housing more than 70% of urban population). The municipal wastewater treatment capacity developed so far in India is about 11,000 mld accounting for 29% of wastewater generation in these two classes of urban centers. In view of population increase, demand for freshwater for all the uses will be unmanageable.
Sanitation systems are integral to water conservation efforts, ensuring responsible water usage and contributing to a more sustainable future for water resources. While the Swachh Bharat Mission and Jal Jeevan Mission have undertaken the monumental task of providing toilets and clean drinking water for all Indians, the task ahead is one that requires many hands to work together.
Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) have emerged as a viable solution to bridge infrastructural deficits and service delivery gaps in this crucial sector. By leveraging the strengths of both the public and private sectors, PPPs are transforming sanitation initiatives across India.
The Concept of PPPs in Sanitation
PPPs in sanitation involve collaboration between government entities and private companies to finance, design, build, and operate sanitation facilities. This approach harnesses the efficiency, expertise, and capital of the private sector while safeguarding public interests. In India, PPPs have been instrumental in bridging the investment gap in the sanitation sector, which is essential for achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 6 – ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
The strengths of each partner are critical to the success of PPPs. Government agencies bring regulatory authority, streamlined approvals, permits, and significant financial resources. They can mobilise funding from national budgets and international agencies and have the power to acquire land for projects. Meanwhile, private companies, especially those in construction and engineering, provide technical expertise, project management skills, and advanced technologies. Their focus on operational efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and quality implementation ensures timely and budget-conscious project completion.
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) play a vital role in connecting with local communities, facilitating communication between stakeholders, advocating for social and environmental sustainability, and monitoring project progress to ensure adherence to ethical practices.
Examples of PPPs in Indian Sanitation
Swachh Bharat Mission: One of the biggest successes India has seen in recent years, the Swachh Bharat Mission, saw participation from three major groups- government, corporations and NGOs. This resulted in the construction of 10.9 crore toilets, successfully providing toilets for every Indian. The private sector played a pivotal role in this mission, contributing funding, technological expertise, and operational support. However, building toilets is just one part of the solution.
Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM): The Jal Jeevan Mission is another significant PPP initiative aimed at providing safe and adequate drinking water through individual household tap connections by 2024 to all households in rural India. The mission also implements source sustainability measures, such as grey water management, water conservation, and rainwater harvesting. As per the Government’s Management Information System for the Jal Jeevan Mission, between August 2019 and May 2022, as a result of the programme, coverage of functional household tap connections in rural areas has increased from 17% to over 49%. Tap water has also been provided to almost all schools and pre-schools in the country.
Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT): Launched in 2015, the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation focuses on developing basic urban infrastructure, including water supply, sewerage and septage management, stormwater drainage, green spaces, and non-motorized urban transport. With an initial outlay of Rs. 50,000 crores for five years, AMRUT has made significant strides in enhancing urban sanitation. The launch of AMRUT 2.0 with a total outlay of ₹2,99,000 crores aims to provide universal water supply coverage and improved sewerage management in 500 cities.
At a municipal level, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) partnered with Saraplast Pvt Ltd, a private company that manufactures portable toilets under the brand name 3S Shramik, to provide public toilets in slums and underserved areas. In Tiruchirappalli, the City Corporation partnered with GUARDIAN, an NGO focused on water and sanitation, to provide community toilets in low-income settlements. Svadha, a social enterprise, has created a network of local entrepreneurs who provide customized toilet solutions for rural households in Odisha.
Harpic, India’s leading brand in toilet cleaning and sanitation, has also played a vital role in promoting clean toilets in India. Beyond products, Harpic established the World Toilet Colleges in 2016 to train sanitation specialists and improve safety and dignity for sanitation workers through education. These colleges ensure that workers are well-trained to maintain high standards of sanitation and hygiene, even during challenging times like the monsoon season.
Harpic, in collaboration with News18, launched the Mission Swachhta aur Paani initiative three years ago. This campaign aims to improve toilet sanitation across India, promoting the cause of monsoon-proof toilets and other measures to maintain hygiene in adverse weather conditions. By raising awareness and fostering community involvement, Mission Swachhta aur Paani brings together stakeholders to explore innovative solutions for toilet cleanliness and accessibility.
The Way Forward
As India moves towards more sustainable water and sanitation solutions, the role of PPPs is likely to grow. The government should focus on creating an enabling environment that attracts private investment while ensuring that services provided are affordable, accessible, and of high quality. Embracing circularity across value chains, enhancing solid waste processing, and promoting wastewater treatment are necessary steps for sustainable development.
However, large initiatives would be powerless without matching contributions in individual actions. We are a country of 1.4 billion people. Each day, we drink water, bathe, go to the toilet, wash our hands, cook and clean. This translates into billions of opportunities each day to conserve water, and to improve sanitation for ourselves and our families. The fight for water and sanitation is a crucial one for all of us, and we all need to play our part in it.
Over the last three years, Mission Swachhta aur Paani has served as a repository of information for all things related to toilets, hygiene and sanitation. We all need to be the eyes and ears for our communities and report water wastage, and sanitation issues. We need to educate those around us, and we need to walk the walk ourselves.
This is how we will create a Swasth and Swachh Bharat for us all. Join us here, to learn how you can add your voice and actions to this national mission.