The Relocation of iJal Stations for Asset Protection
By: Pooja Singh | Poonam Sewak
iJal Safe Water Stations are decentralized small water enterprises operated by village level entrepreneurs, self-help groups or community committees. When a station does not meet the basic tenets of pricing, equitable access, or financial sustainability, it is relocated to another village or shifted to another site within the same village in consultation with the community and the local governance.
A successful relocation requires extensive planning and strong community engagement, while difficult and requires an additional investment. In order to protect the donor funds, relocation is, however, a necessary step for asset protection. Governments and international development agencies are retrofitting and supporting their water treatment systems in-situ as providing water access is their core responsibility.
This case study, developed by Safe Water Network India, examines the relocation of water enterprises to ensure long-term viability.