Journal of Global Resources

Volume 5 (01)January 2019
ISSN: 2395-3160 (Print), 2455-2445 (Online)

Page 33-42

04
A GIS BASED APPROACH FOR DRINKING WATER MANAGEMENT IN URBAN SLUMS
Saumya Singh, Seema Mishra, Farha Nadiadwala and Nabila Rumane
SIES Indian Institute of Environment Management, Nerul, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Email: saumyas@sies.edu.in
Abstract: The present paper involves detailed study of the selected slums in Greater Mumbai forevaluating drinking water issues and challenges in slums. Safe and adequate drinking water is abasic human need. Detailed investigation of slums has been conducted along with the officials ofMunicipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM). For detailed investigation, the slums wereselected based on the ward size, slum population in the ward, information from the secondary
sources and laboratory investigation of drinking water samples collected from slums. Participationof local slum dwellers was ensured in the study to understand the drinking water problems andissues at grass root level. Samples collected from household storage containers have shown an
increase in contamination as compared to the samples collected from tap water. E. colicontamination was found in few samples. Mosquito larvae was found along with coliform
contamination in the stored water collected from households. An observational study was donewith each of the field visits to assess water handling and hygiene. GIS database will be generated
which will bring complete understanding of drinking water issues in slums. GIS will store, analyseand display spatial data which can be useful for long term planning for drinking water
management.
Key words: Geographical Information System (GIS), Water Management, Slums and Drinking
Water Quality.
Introduction
Water is essential to sustain life and an adequate supply of safe drinking water is a basic humanneed. As per the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) there should be universal and equitable
access to safe and affordable drinking water for all by 2030. It is important to support andstrengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management(Open working group proposal for the Sustainable Development Goals, 2014). According to theprogress report of UN SDG 2016, significant progress has been made in access to drinking water.
In 2015, 6.6 billion people i.e. 91 percent of the global population used an improved drinking water
source, versus 82 percent in 2000. Despite that improvement, an estimated 663 million people
were using unimproved water sources or surface water that year. While coverage was around 90
per cent or more in all regions except sub-Saharan Africa and Oceania, widespread inequalities
persist within and among countries. Moreover, not all improved sources are safe. Microbial
contamination is responsible for the great majority of water-related health burden. WHO
recommends that the microbial quality of drinking-water be measured using faecal indicator
bacteria, preferably Escherichia coli; these bacteria are chosen to indicate the presence of faecal
contamination rather than identifying pathogens directly (WHO 2008, Bain et al, 2012). It isestimated that 15–20 percent of community diarrhoeal disease in developing countries is
attributable to unsafe drinking water with recent studies indicating even higher percentages ofwaterborne diarrhoeal disease. Waterborne infectious diseases are caused by a variety of33

microbial agents (pathogens) that contaminate drinking water supplies in developed anddeveloping countries (Quick et al., 1999; Sobsey et al., 2003). It is estimated that about 37.7
million Indians are affected by waterborne diseases, 1.5 million children die of diarrhoea and 73
million working days are lost due to waterborne diseases annually. Further 10.28 per cent of all
habitations are affected by poor water quality (Water Aid India, 2017, Pathak H. 2015).
Equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water is a major challenge in urban slums.
In 2002, the UN operationally defined slums as those communities characterized by: insecureresidential status, poor structural quality of housing, overcrowding, and inadequate access to safe
water, sanitation, and other infrastructure (UN-Habitat, 2002; Unger A., Riley L.W., 2007). People
living in slums are the worst victims of poor quality of water, by inadequacies of drainage,
sanitation and household waste removal facilities and, in general, by unhealthy living and working
environments (Swaminathan, 1995; Hardoy, J.E. and D. Satterthwaite, 1989). The present study istherefore undertaken to address drinking water issues in slums. Storage of water and keeping it
safe from contamination is a major challenge for slum dwellers. Therefore, in this study along withtap water (individual taps and common collection point), drinking water samples were alsocollected from stored container and water quality was tested for physical, chemical and microbial
contamination. Based on the results of laboratory investigation, slum population in the ward andinformation from secondary sources slums were selected for detailed investigation.
Study Area
The study area in the present work has been selected as Greater Mumbai because approximately
half of the population of Greater Mumbai lives in slums. The current population of Greater Mumbai
as per 2011 census is 12.44 million inhabitants, among which approximately 42 percent are living
in slums. Greater Mumbai is located on the western most periphery of the Maharashtra State. The
Mumbai city is known as financial capital of India. Greater Mumbai is located at North latitude from18°53’ to 19°19’ and East Longitude from 72°47’ to 72°59’ (Gupta S. Greater Mumbai District,
Maharashtra, Ground Water Information, Govt. of India, Ministry of Water Resources, CGWB,
2013). Location map of the study area has been prepared using GIS and is shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1: Location Map

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The water supply for Mumbai is sourced from 7 different lakes such as Upper Vaitarna,
Modak Sagar, Tansa, Middle Vaitarna, Bhatsa, Vehar, Tulsi and is treated at 4-Water Treatment
Plants as per drinking water standards specified in IS 10500: 2012 before being distributed to thecitizens (Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai). Mumbai, the capital of economic development
in India, has been under pressure due to industrial, commercial, and population growth (Kamble etal., 2011). With the rapid urbanization, the city dwellers not only add to population but also
pollution. These urban poor are also understood to be the biggest sufferer group of urban society
and major victims of all types of environmental pollution and other epidemics due to their living inpathogen-prone neighbourhoods, with cramped conditions in shacks and limited access to basic
civic services like safe and adequate water supply, sewerage and drainage, sanitary toilets, solid
waste disposal facilities (Hardoy et al., 1997, Karn et al., 2002). In the present study, detailed
investigation of slums has been conducted to evaluate drinking water issues and challenges faced
by slum dwellers and database has been generated using GIS.
Detailed investigation of drinking water issues in slums in Greater Mumbai
Advance technique comprising Geographical Information System (GIS) and Global Positioning
System (GPS) has been used in this study to arrive at most effective methodology for sustainable
drinking water management for urban slums. GIS database will bring complete understanding of
drinking water issues in slums. Slums and sample points were located using GPS. Figure 2 shows
database generation in GIS framework.
Figure 2: Database generation using Geospatial Technology

To achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all, thebest indicator is the proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services.
Therefore, ward wise population map was generated using QGIS as shown in Figure 3. However,
objective of the study is to address drinking water issues in slums. Therefore, mapping ofpercentage of slum population in each ward was done using GIS. Figure 4 shows the map ofpercentage of slum population to the total ward population. It can be clearly seen that in few wards,
slum population is more than 50 percent (White Paper, Report on The State of Affordable Housing35

in Mumbai, November 2014 PRAJA.ORG; Census of India 2011, District Census Handbook,Mumbai).
Figure 3: Population map of Greater Mumbai

Figure 4: Percentage of slum population in each ward

Detailed study of two slums as shown in Figure 5 (one in Mankhurd region and the other in
Kannamwar Nagar in Greater Mumbai) has been conducted along with the officials of Municipal
Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM). Slums were selected based on the ward size, slum
population in the ward, information from the secondary source and laboratory investigation ofdrinking water samples collected from slums.
Figure 5: (a) Location of slums (b) Project team and MCGM Official for detailed investigation(a)(b)
Questionnaire was prepared for detailed investigation which included questions on thesource of drinking water, distance from water collection point, access to piped water, availability ofdrinking water in a day, average time for water collection, monthly expense incurred for drinking
water availability and it purification, quality of water, storage of water, water purification methods athousehold level, etc. Participation of local slum dwellers was ensured in the study to understand36the drinking water problems and issues at grass root level. Based on the analysis of thequestionnaires filled by the respondents, various aspects of drinking water management scenario
in Mumbai slums were studied. The questionnaire captured the views, concerns, problems,
expectations of the slum residents. The aspects of quality, quantity and frequency of drinking watersupplied to slums were studied in detail. Additionally, the existing systems in place for supply of
drinking water were studied. Further, a comparison of the two slums was done to understand thesimilarity and differences across these slums. Based on the detailed analysis, trends were
established and results were derived to understand the scenario of drinking water management ofslums in Mumbai. Water samples which were collected from storage containers have shownbacterial contamination. Mosquito larvae was found in some of the stored water samples.
Analysis
Almost all respondents of both the slums were residing in the respective slums for more than 6
years as seen in Figure 6. Of the respondents of Kannamwar Nagar slum, over 66.67 percent
respondents were residing in the slums for more than 10 years while 81.82 percent of the
respondents of Mankhurd slum were residing for more than 10 years. This indicates that the
respondents are aware of the conditions of slums.
Figure 6: Duration of Residence of Respondent in Slums

The most common source of drinking water at Mankhurd slum is individual tap while in
Kannamwar Nagar slum is common stand pipe i.e. public tap (Figure 7). About 4.55 percent ofrespondents use tubewell as a drinking water source in Mankhurd slum while none use tubewell in
Kannamwar Nagar. None of the respondents across use open wells, river, water tanker or rainwater storage as a drinking water source.
Figure 7: Source of Drinking Water

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Figure 8 represents that about 33.33 percent of residents of Kannamwar Nagar have theirhomes away from drinking water source while 36.36 percent residents of Mankhurd slum havetheir homes away from drinking water source.
Figure 8: Whether Drinking Water Source is Away from Home

More than 60 percent of the residents of Mankhurd slum have their homes at a distance ofless than 50 metres from drinking water source. Figure 9 and Figure 10 collectively indicate thatslum residents of Mumbai do not have to travel far distances to collect drinking water from source
as it is close to their houses.
Figure 9: Distance of Drinking Water Source from Home

Over 66.67 percent respondents in Kannamwar Nagar slum and 63.64 percent in
Mankhurd slum have access to household individual tap through municipal free standpost. Less
than 40 percent of respondents in both slums have access through metered stand post. This
indicates that slums of Mumbai rely more on municipal supply.
Figure 10: Access to Household Individual Tap

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As seen in Figure 11, in Kannamwar Nagar slum, there were different timings of watersupply observed as residents responded with varied timings. Half of the respondents said that thetime of supply is around 2:00 pm. In Mankhurd slum, more than 90 percent respondents said thatthe time of supply of drinking water is in the evening at around 6 pm.
Figure 11: Time of Supply of Drinking Water

As indicated in Figure 12, more than 65 percent respondents of Kannamwar Nagar slum
said that water is supplied for less than 3 hours a day. More than 70 percent respondents of
Mankhurd slum said that water is supplied for 3 to 6 hours in a day. Thus, it can be concluded thatthe time of availability of drinking water is more in Mankhurd slum. Additionally, the average time
for water collection in a day including waiting time for slum residents of Kannamwar Nagar slum isabout 2 hours while for slum residents of Mankhurd slum is about an hour. The respondents said
that one person from the family collects drinking water from the source every day.
Figure 12: Hours of Availability of Drinking Water in a Day

As seen in Figure 13, none of the respondents of Mankhurd slum said that water pressurein pipeline is low. All respondents said that the water pressure is either medium or good. Contrary
to this, 66.67 percent respondents of Kannamwar Nagar slum responded that the pressure inpipeline of Kannamwar Nagar slum is low. Thus, it can be said that pressure in pipeline is aproblem in Kannamwar Nagar slum.
Figure13: Water Pressure in Pipeline39

According to respondents, during monsoon season, the water is turbid (Figure 14). Water
quality is deteriorated significantly. In Kannamwar Nagar slum, all respondents said that water
received is turbid. Over 40 percent respondents of both slums said that certain diseases such as
viral fever, cough, diarrhoea, jaundice, typhoid, etc. are prevalent in the slums due to the poor
quality of drinking water especially during monsoons.
Figure 14: Quality of Drinking Water Received in Monsoon Season

However, the quality of drinking water received in both slums throughout the year except inmonsoon season is satisfactory (Figure 15).
Figure 15: Quality of Drinking Water Received throughout the Year

Various methods used by slum residents to purify drinking water at household level isshown in Figure 16. In Kannamwar Nagar slum, all respondents use the method of boiling while in
Mankhurd slum, 45.45 percent respondents use the method of boiling to treat drinking water.A fairnumber of respondents in both slums use cloth to treat drinking water. None of the respondents in
Kannamwar Nagar slum use sedimentation, filtering or electronic medium, to treat drinking water.
Figure 16: Method used to Treat Drinking Water40

As observed in Figure 17, none of the respondents said that adequate training is being
provided while 27.27 percent respondents in Mankhurd slum said that training and awarenessprograms for drinking water purification are imparted either by municipal body or private agencies.
The same is required for creating awareness of its importance. This indicates that training andsensitization is required for local people on the storage of drinking water and low-cost drinking
water purification methods.
Figure 17: Need of Training and Awareness Programs for Drinking Water Purification are Imparted

Conclusion
Based upon the analysis, major problems of the region and salient finding emerged from the study
are lack of awareness of local slum people on proper storage of drinking water and use ofhousehold purification methods. Most of the coliform contamination have resulted from the poor
storage of drinking water. Certain samples showed bacterial contamination due to rain water
logging and mixing with the drinking water pipelines due to two reasons observed: (a) the pipelines
outside the slums have not been maintained well (b) the low-lying areas are prone to flooding inmonsoon. Possible measure to overcome such problem is sensitization of local people andknowledge dissemination by involving Government stakeholders on the storage of drinking waterand low-cost drinking water purification methods. In both the slums surveyed, water supply was
found to be intermittent. The average duration of water supply was found to be 3 hrs, per day. As aresult, local people store water in large containers which becomes difficult for them to keep it safe
from contamination. This leads to poor hygiene. Bacterial contamination was found in such stored
samples in few of the water samples collected from slums. A major concern for Kannamwar Nagarslum is the low pressure of pipeline.
However, a major concern for Mankhurd slum is the quality of water supplied during
monsoon season. Leakages in the pipeline were also observed as the pipelines were too old.
Condition of household storage container was not found to be good. Clothes were used as water
filter and dirty clothes causes contamination. Water samples which were collected from storage
containers have shown bacterial contamination. Mosquito larvae was found in the stored water
samples. An initiative has been taken to generate GIS database which will bring complete
understanding of drinking water issues in slums. GIS is a tool which can store, analyse and display
spatial datawhich can be useful for long term planning for drinking water management.During
detailed investigation of slums, it was observed that different slums were having different problemsof drinking water. In some of the slums, there was a major problem of leakage. However, in otherslums the problem was of low pressure. Therefore, GIS database will help in providing location
specific long-term solutions for drinking water problem.
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Acknowledgement
Authors are thankful to NRDMS Division of Department of Science & Technology (DST), Govt. ofIndia for sanctioning and funding the project. We are also thankful to Municipal Corporation ofGreater Mumbai (MCGM) for guiding and supporting us in the study.
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