Regional : Promoting Smart Drinking Water Management in South Asian Cities

Sovereign Project | 49289-001

The proposed regional capacity development technical assistance (TA) aims to improve an institutional capacity to respond to increasing needs of operational efficiency and financial sustainability in urban drinking water supply systems.

The key objectives of the TA are to (i) develop operational efficiency improvement plan, (ii) implement training programs on smart drinking water management including the latest ICT-based operational technology, (iii) prepare financial sustainability improvement plan, (iv) introduce new drinking water service contract modalities, and (v) organize study visits and workshops.

Project Details

  • Project Officer
    Nam, Jaemin
    South Asia Department
    Request for information
  • Country/Economy
    Regional
  • Modality
  • Sector
    • Water and other urban infrastructure and services
Project Name Promoting Smart Drinking Water Management in South Asian Cities
Project Number 49289-001
Country / Economy Regional
Bangladesh
Bhutan
India
Maldives
Nepal
Sri Lanka
Project Status Closed
Project Type / Modality of Assistance Technical Assistance
Source of Funding / Amount
TA 9048-REG: Promoting Smart Drinking Water Management in South Asian Cities
Technical Assistance Special Fund US$ 750,000.00
Republic of Korea e-Asia and Knowledge Partnership Fund US$ 500,000.00
Technical Assistance Special Fund US$ 750,000.00
Republic of Korea e-Asia and Knowledge Partnership Fund US$ 500,000.00
Strategic Agendas Inclusive economic growth
Drivers of Change Governance and capacity development
Knowledge solutions
Partnerships
Sector / Subsector

Water and other urban infrastructure and services / Urban policy, institutional and capacity development

Gender No gender elements
Description

The proposed regional capacity development technical assistance (TA) aims to improve an institutional capacity to respond to increasing needs of operational efficiency and financial sustainability in urban drinking water supply systems.

The key objectives of the TA are to (i) develop operational efficiency improvement plan, (ii) implement training programs on smart drinking water management including the latest ICT-based operational technology, (iii) prepare financial sustainability improvement plan, (iv) introduce new drinking water service contract modalities, and (v) organize study visits and workshops.

Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy

In the past, developing member countries (DMCs) focused mainly on improving supply-side interventions, largely to increase drinking water service coverage. More needs to be done immediately to improve operational efficiency of drinking water supply to reduce water losses, adapt to climate change imperatives, and strengthen water security.

ADB has been promoting public private partnerships, design-build-operate contracts, nonrevenue water reduction, among others, to help water utilities improve operational efficiencies and financial sustainability. For ADB's successful introduction of new modalities, water utilities in South Asia need to be conversant with up-to-date operational knowledge and skills, relevant technologies, and best practices. Customer satisfaction and operational efficiencies can be enhanced by deploying smart drinking water management based on a combination of information and communication technology (ICT), network solutions, and smart devices, among others.

The TA will explore ways to enhance operational efficiency and financial sustainability of water utilities in South Asian countries based on smart drinking water management, among others, through partnership with advanced water utilities from within and outside the region. The TA will also provide customized business plans as well as training programs and study visits to selected water utilities.

Impact

Impacts the technical assistance is aligned with urban drinking water services in South Asia improved. (Water Operational Plan 2011-2020)

Project Outcome
Description of Outcome

Enhanced capacity of water utilities in South Asia to raise their operational efficiency and financial sustainability enhanced

Progress Toward Outcome Ongoing. Activities in the cities of Dhaka, Colombo, Chennai, Khulna and Thimphu have been completed.
Implementation Progress
Description of Project Outputs

1. Operational efficiency improvement plan developed.

2. Knowledge-building and skills development programs on smart drinking water management and technologies implemented

3. Financial sustainability improvement plans prepared.

4. New drinking water PPP contract modalities introduced

Status of Implementation Progress (Outputs, Activities, and Issues) Partnership Agreement between ADB and K-water was signed on 2 Feb 2016. The amended partnership agreement for additional resources of $1.25 million was signed on 15 March 2018.All six South Asian countries expressed their no-objection to participate in the RETA. All activities in Dhaka, Colombo, Chennai, Khulna and Thimphu were completed - including procurement of smart metering devices. Nine exposure visits to South Korea and the Philippines were organized and conducted between May 2017 and December 2019 for officials of water utilities and executing or implementing agencies from BAN, IND and SRI. As of 30 September 2020, $2,221,551 (88.9%) has been committed and $1,896,624 (75.9%) has been disbursed out of the $2,500,000 total TA funds. Thirty-three individual consultants (eight international and 25 international) were recruited and mobilized.
Geographical Location Bangladesh - Nation-wide; Bhutan - Nation-wide; India - Nation-wide; Maldives - Nation-wide; Nepal - Nation-wide; Sri Lanka - Nation-wide
Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects
Environmental Aspects
Involuntary Resettlement
Indigenous Peoples
Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation
During Project Design Enhancing operational efficiency and securing financial sustainability of water utilities require practical skills and knowledge, much of them exists within well performing water utilities. Considering K-water's experience and technology in operating drinking water supply systems and training water operators, it is desirable to implement technical diagnostic works, operational efficiency improvement plan, the latest operational technology based on ICT introduction and training programs through partnership with K-water. In addition, individual consultants and resource persons will be recruited to carry out financial diagnostic works and prepare financial sustainability improvement plan; develop service contract modalities such as PPP, management contract, BOT etc.; and assist in organizing study visits and workshops. ADB will screen and select appropriate water utilities in South Asian countries, which are committed to undertake diagnostic works and training programs under the TA. Those water utilities with ongoing or upcoming ADB water projects will be prioritized.
During Project Implementation ADB will be the executing agency, with South Asia Department's (SARD) Urban Development and Water Division (SAUW) as the focal point for administering the TA. The inputs of South Asian governments will be in-kind and will include: necessary information, overall facilities, counterpart staff, office space, and other in-kind assistance. And, K-water as a technical and training partner will provide in-kind contributions such as training venue and facilities. SAUW will coordinate and monitor TA activities. The TA will maximize the dissemination and integration of good practices to participating water utilities through training, workshops, and close control of outputs.
Business Opportunities
Consulting Services Individual consultants will be recruited by ADB based on the requirements of the TA. Recruitment of all individual consultants under the TA will be engaged by ADB in accordance with the Guidelines on the Use of Consultants (2013, as amended from time to time).
Procurement Any procurement under the TA will be in accordance with ADB's Procurement Guidelines (2015, as amended from time to time).
Responsible ADB Officer Nam, Jaemin
Responsible ADB Department South Asia Department
Responsible ADB Division Urban Development and Water Division, SARD
Executing Agencies
Asian Development Bank
Timetable
Concept Clearance 28 Sep 2015
Fact Finding -
MRM -
Approval 15 Dec 2015
Last Review Mission -
Last PDS Update 09 Oct 2020

TA 9048-REG

Milestones
Approval Signing Date Effectivity Date Closing
Original Revised Actual
15 Dec 2015 - 15 Dec 2015 31 Dec 2019 14 Dec 2020 05 Jan 2021
Financing Plan/TA Utilization Cumulative Disbursements
ADB Cofinancing Counterpart Total Date Amount
Gov Beneficiaries Project Sponsor Others
1,500,000.00 1,000,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 2,500,000.00 17 Jun 2022 1,924,054.94

Project Data Sheets (PDS) contain summary information on the project or program. Because the PDS is a work in progress, some information may not be included in its initial version but will be added as it becomes available. Information about proposed projects is tentative and indicative.

The Access to Information Policy (AIP) recognizes that transparency and accountability are essential to development effectiveness. It establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced.

The Accountability Mechanism provides a forum where people adversely affected by ADB-assisted projects can voice and seek solutions to their problems and report alleged noncompliance of ADB's operational policies and procedures.

In preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of, or reference to, a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the Asian Development Bank does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area.

Title Document Type Document Date
Promoting Smart Drinking Water Management in South Asian Cities: Technical Assistance Report Technical Assistance Reports Dec 2015

Safeguard Documents See also: Safeguards
Safeguard documents provided at the time of project/facility approval may also be found in the list of linked documents provided with the Report and Recommendation of the President.

None currently available.


Evaluation Documents See also: Independent Evaluation

None currently available.


Related Publications

None currently available.


The Access to Information Policy (AIP) establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced in its operations to facilitate stakeholder participation in ADB's decision-making. For more information, refer to the Safeguard Policy Statement, Operations Manual F1, and Operations Manual L3.

Requests for information may also be directed to the InfoUnit.

Tenders

Tender Title Type Status Posting Date Deadline
Water Supply Specialist Individual - Consulting Closed
Finance Specialist Individual - Consulting Closed
Mechanical Specialist (National) Individual - Consulting Closed
GIS Specialist/Analyst (National) Individual - Consulting Closed
Mechanical Specialist (National) Individual - Consulting Closed
Finance Specialist Individual - Consulting Closed
Water Supply Specialist Individual - Consulting Closed
Environmental Safeguards Specialist (National) Individual - Consulting Closed
Social Safeguards Specialist (National) Individual - Consulting Closed
Procurement Specialist (National) Individual - Consulting Closed
Electrical Specialist (National) Individual - Consulting Closed
GIS Specialist/Analyst (National) Individual - Consulting Closed
Process Specialist (International) Individual - Consulting Closed
CAD Operator - Civil (National) Individual - Consulting Closed
CAD Operator - M&E (National) Individual - Consulting Closed
Structural Design Specialist (National) Individual - Consulting Closed
Sewer Network Specialist (International) Individual - Consulting Closed
Office Manager (National) Individual - Consulting Closed
Co-Treatment Plant Specialist (International) Individual - Consulting Closed
Wastewater Treatment Plant Specialist/Team Leader (International) Individual - Consulting Closed
Water Supply Specialist (National) Individual - Consulting Closed
Program Manager (National) Individual - Consulting Closed
Finance Specialist (National) Individual - Consulting Closed
Water Supply Specialist 3 Individual - Consulting Closed
Finance Specialist 3 Individual - Consulting Closed

Contracts Awarded

No contracts awarded for this project were found

Procurement Plan

None currently available.