The role of new ‘smart technology’ to provide water to the urban poor: a case study of water ATMs in Delhi, India

Abstract

A new form of coin-operated or electronic card-operated water vending machine; popularly known as the water ATMs (Automated Teller Machine) are gaining popularity as a ‘smart’ yet a ‘low-cost’ technology to provide safe water at nominal rates in India. Water ATMs are being currently experimented as a market-based solution on the idea of social entrepreneurship to provide safe drinking water to the urban poor in Delhi who are inadequately served by the public utility network. Based on a primary survey, the present case study aims to look at the challenges and opportunities these water ATMs pose. The study assesses its scope for further expansion as a solution to water security for urban poor residing in low income areas by analysing the issues of both supply side as well as demand side management of this technology. It is believed that water ATMs have tremendous potential to reduce waterborne diseases affecting the lives of millions of people in India and can minimize plastic waste and prevent plastic contamination as posed by the booming packaged water industries. Though water tariffs are nominal, water ATMs, for the first time are operating on the model of a paid community standpipe, in urban poor areas in India. So the big question remains whether the water ATMs can be seen as a complimentary source of safe water to the urban poor or it can be turned into an alternative option for universal coverage of piped network.