Kundapura is a prominent developing town in Udupi district along the western coastline of Karnataka. The town is surrounded by water bodies on three sides. Rainfall during the monsoon varies from high to very high (3200 to 3700 mm). The depth of the ground water table is 2 to 3 m below ground level. The integrated town has an area of 11.84 sq. km. with a population of 32,000. The town municipal council came into existence in the year 1973. In 1973, the source of water supply for Kundapura was ground water, which continued till the year 2006. There were 11 open wells maintained by the town municipal council for supplying water to the entire town. Well water was supplied for drinking purposes, without any treatment. Monitoring of water quality was not in practice. Water from some of the 11 wells was pumped to the nearby OHTs located at various places within the town, and then distributed. In some parts of the town, water from open wells was pumped directly to the distribution lines. The total quantity of water supply before the initiative was 0.6 MLD with a supply rate of 23 LPCD, which was practically inadequate. Most of the supply lines were leaking and damaged. There was a scarcity of water supply during summer due to inadequate water availability in the existing 11 open wells. The revenue generated through water supply was very meager, due to the low number of metered tap connections.
The main objective of this initiative was to have a sustainable water supply system for the entire town. River "Jambu", which is 12km from the town, was identified as a permanent source of water supply. Treated water-supply was initiated by having a water quality monitoring system. With installation of high storage capacity, there was an increase in supply level from 23 LPCD to 135 LPCD. It was initiated to maintain the entire water distribution system by gravity, so as to enhance energy savings. Water and energy audits were also introduced for a fully efficient distribution system. Earlier, there were fewer house connections compared to the public standposts, and there was no metering system to measure the consumption. To reduce the quantity of non-revenue water in the system, people were encouraged to have individual house connections. The consumer was allowed to pay a water connection deposit in 3-4 installments. A 24/7 public-grievance redressal cell and an online complaint system were also initiated. A revised water tariff and a connection deposit were introduced.

• Estimating water demand up to 2026 AD
• Reducing the water-supply connection deposit amount
• Attending to water-leakage complaints within 24 hrs
• Encouraging the consumer to have individual house connections
• Allowing the consumer to pay water-connection deposit in 3-4 installments
• Compulsory metered connections
• Reducing the quantity of non-revenue water in the system
• Have fully efficient distribution systems, including water and energy audits

There is remarkable improvement in the water-supply status in Kundapura town. There is no drinking water scarcity during the summer seasons, and treated water is supplied for a minimum of 6 hours in the town. As the number of public stand posts has decreased, there is a reduction in the percentage of non-revenue water. Use of HDPE distribution lines led to fewer leakage problems being registered. The percentage of non-revenue water has drastically come down due to less leakage in the distribution network. There is better demand management due to metering.

For further details, contact:

Raghavendra Kadekar
Executive Engineer
Town Municipal Council Kundapura
Opp. Kundapura Bus Stand
Kundapura – 576 201
Ph and Fax: 08254 – 2304010
Mobile: 94485-07244