Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board, India

What is it?

Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) is responsible for water supply and sewage disposal in the city of Bangalore, and serves 8.5 million people.

What has it done?

BWSSB has implemented a sweeping range of initiatives covering governance reform and the management and development of infrastructure. It has also established a blueprint for future-proofing Bangalore’s water supply needs through its Vision 2050 document.

What makes it special?

BWSSB’s sustained investment in water treatment infrastructure has made it possible for the city’s peripheral areas – which were formerly underserved – to access 24/7 water supply. The capital programme will also enable the utility to treat 100% of the city’s wastewater.

The successful redistribution of peri-urban stormwater flows has allowed for the beneficial re-capture of water which was previously running off into drains or lakes.

Employee welfare has been promoted within BWSSB with the development of focused employee mentoring schemes and a capacity-building programme to retain staff through skills enhancement. Meanwhile, a new ‘Water Centre’ was established for the local community to learn about the importance and value of water and water services. This, combined with the provision of water-efficient fixtures for homes, is engaging the wider community in both educational and practical ways. BWSSB has also initiated a ‘Water Future Hub’ where the private sector can share new innovations and ideas, leading to better collaborative operational performance.

Agua y Saneamientos Argentinos SA, Argentina

What is it?

Agua y Saneamientos Argentinos SA (AySA) provides drinking water and sewage collection services in the City of Buenos Aires and the surrounding area – one of the most densely populated regions in Latin America.

What has it done?

In 2017, AySA made significant strides towards dramatic increases in city-wide access to clean drinking water and sanitation, while adding environmental sustainability to the mix by restoring the health of local rivers.

What makes it special?

As part of AySA’s Metropolitan Plan to guarantee its customers the right to drinking water and sanitation, the utility inaugurated the Fiorito wastewater treatment plant in 2017. Not only does this underscore AySA’s commitment to the government’s National Water Plan, but also brings sanitation services to 270,000 previously under-served people in the southwestern suburbs of Buenos Aires.

On the drinking water side, AySA expanded the Gral. Belgrano water treatment plant in 2017 – part of the city’s South Water System. The expansion included the construction of an underground conveyance channel and two lift stations at a cost of US$550 million. The improvements bring an additional 1 million m3/d of drinking water to the area, thereby providing 2.5 million more people with access to clean, safe drinking water.

By engaging children, teachers and families through its ‘Liquid Life’ programme, AySA has dramatically stepped up its promotion of the value of water and water services throughout its franchise area. The ‘Liquid Life’ programme has deepened the understanding of the water cycle and its contribution to health and economic development, leaving a ‘value footprint’ legacy for generations to come.