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This section recognizes the important contributions of individual champions of water reforms from developing countries in Asia and the Pacific.
| 2008 |
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"We keep introducing reforms to improve our service," says MAMSL Attanayake, Deputy Director General in Sri Lanka's National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB), when asked how his organization keeps up with the increasing water supply and sanitation demands of the people. From customer charters to quality circles, NWSDB's reforms have been bearing fruits for the utility. |
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With a flick of the pump, Dr. Adrian Yeo's device makes filthy water squeaky clean. The unit is portable and each one provides safe drinking water for 700 people. Introduced as a quick-fix to the post-tsunami situation in Aceh, the device was embraced by villagers and has now reached Cambodia and Myanmar. "Next time, though, we will go for more local materials to make it more easily available to the poor," says its inventor. |
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"Lack of preparedness and poor governance amplify the impacts of disasters," says Dr. Kuniyoshi Takeuchi, Director of the International Center for Water Hazard and Risk Management (ICHARM). Among water disasters, floods take the highest toll in terms of human lives and damages. Advanced and localized geo-scientific knowledge, land use planning, and integrated flood planning are crucial if governments are to prepare for, and mitigate, their impacts. |
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“We've increased cropping intensity, hydropower capacity, and raw water supply for the river basin, plus improved the condition of water resources infrastructures,” says Pak Tjoek Subijanto, President Director of the Brantas Public Corporation, on the results of his organization’s efforts. How has this experiment on corporatization yielded positive results for Indonesia’s Brantas and Bengawan Solo river basins? |
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They have flexible payment terms and no service connection charges, no access to friendly credit and lots of competition. So how does Inpart Waterworks and Development Company survive the cutthroat water business? “We forge strong partnerships with local governments and communities, working with them on water rates, billing systems, and other aspects of our operations,” says IWADCO president Elsa Mejia. |
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“Manage nonrevenue water, improve organizational efficiency, and adjust tariff,” says President Rogelio Singson of Maynilad Water Services, Inc. when asked how the company intends to recover its investments, including the $240 million in debts it just paid off and its planned P33 billion capital expenditure program. Will this approach work? |
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“Affordable and sustainable technology is essential for social reform,” says Bindeshwar Pathak, founder of the Sulabh International Social Service Organization. That’s why he turned to technology when he started his crusade to restore the dignity of scavengers who clean up human excreta, treated as the lowest of the low in Indian society. His innovations have since improved the lives of millions and liberated over 120,000 scavengers from the scorn and humiliation their work engenders. |
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