Project Overview

Athena Infonomics conducted a comprehensive impact evaluation of the Karnataka Urban Water Sector Improvement Project (KUWASIP) and the ongoing Karnataka Urban Water Sector Modernization Project (KUWSMP), both led by the Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation (KUIDFC). These projects focus on the transition from intermittent water supply (IWS) to continuous water supply (CWS) in the cities of Hubballi-Dharwad, Belagavi, and Kalaburagi. The evaluation covered 12,000 households, 1,000 commercial and institutional establishments, and 30 stakeholders, aiming to assess how CWS is reshaping access, delivery efficiency, and service satisfaction. The study incorporated mixed-method research, including surveys, key informant interviews, and rigorous statistical analysis to provide data-driven insights on urban water transformation.

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Project Objectives

Following the successful demonstration of CWS in select zones under KUWASIP, the Government of Karnataka, through KUIDFC, sought to expand 24/7 water access city-wide under KUWSMP. To support this scale-up, the client commissioned an evaluation to determine the impact of transitioning from IWS to CWS in the three cities. The objective was to understand how this shift affects urban residents, institutions, and service systems, and to generate evidence to guide the expansion and improve service delivery models.

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Athena’s Role

Athena was engaged to design and implement the impact evaluation. The scope of work included:

• Developing a mixed-methods evaluation framework to study impacts at the user and system levels
• Designing and administering surveys for 12,000 households and 1,000 commercial/institutional entities
• Conducting approximately 30 key informant interviews with stakeholders from municipal corporations and water boards
• Employing quasi-experimental methods—specifically matched difference-in-difference and ex-post single difference approaches—to assess the transition's effects
• Leading data quality assurance and analysis using STATA
• Documenting user narratives, public-private partnership models, and operational learnings
• Preparing the final evaluation report in close consultation with KUIDFC and relevant government departments

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Impact

The transition to continuous water supply has led to noticeable improvements in water access, distribution efficiency, and end-user satisfaction across the three cities. The evaluation captured the lived experiences of residents and service providers, highlighting operational best practices and collaborative approaches to service delivery. Findings from the study provided actionable recommendations for sustaining and scaling the 24/7 water supply model, contributing to informed decision-making for water sector modernization in Karnataka.

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For more project details, reach out to Ram Paul.