Denmark Study Tour Report - Approved

REPORT OF DELEGATION FROM INDIA ON STUDY TOUR &
FACT-FINDING TRIP TO DENMARK
Report on Study Tour and Fact-Finding Trip to Denmark

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Contents
Contents ....................................................................................................................................................... 1
Executive Summary ...................................................................................................................................... 2
1. Background ........................................................................................................................................... 4
1.1 About Study Tour.......................................................................................................................... 5
1.2 Participants of Study Tour ............................................................................................................ 5
2. Findings and Recommendations of the Study tour participants .......................................................... 7
2.1 Key findings................................................................................................................................... 7
2.2 City Visits .................................................................................................................................... 11
2.3 Suggestions for improvement of water supply system in India ................................................. 13
Annexure 1 ................................................................................................................................................. 18
Annexure 2 ................................................................................................................................................. 31
Annexure 3 ................................................................................................................................................. 37
Individual Tour Reports .............................................................................................................................. 37
1. Shri Budithi Rajsekhar, Spl. Chief Secretary to Govt., Panchayati Raj and Rural Development
Department, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh................................................................................................... 37
2. Shri Dhirendra Kumar Tiwari, Principal Secretary, Department of Water Supply and Sanitation,
Govt. of Punjab ....................................................................................................................................... 41
3. Shri Sushil Kumar Lohani, Principal Secretary, Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water Department,
Govt. of Odisha ....................................................................................................................................... 44
4. Shri Surendra Gupta, Principal Secretary, Public Health Engineering Department, Govt. of West
Bengal ..................................................................................................................................................... 47
5. Shri Balkar Singh, Mission Director, UP Jal Nigam (Rural) and Secretary, Namami Gange and Rural
Water Supply Department, Govt. of Uttar Pradesh ............................................................................... 50
6. Shri Kailash Karthik Natarajan, Mission Director, JJM, Public Health Engineer Department, Govt.
of Assam ................................................................................................................................................. 54
7. Shri Manish Ranjan, Secretary & Mission Director, JJM, Drinking Water and Sanitation
Department, Govt. of Jharkhand ............................................................................................................ 68
8. Shri Rajiv Batish, Chief Engineer-cum-Mission Director, JJM, Public Health Engineering
Department, Government of Haryana ................................................................................................. 119
9. Shri Pradeep Singh, Director, NJJM, DDWS, Govt. of India .......................................................... 125
10. Shri Sumit Priyadarshi, Deputy Advisor, NJJM, DDWS, Govt. of India ..................................... 135
11. Shri Avinash Kumar Sinha, Under Secretary, NJJM, DDWS, Govt. of India .............................. 142

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Executive Summary
As part of the workplan between National Jal Jeevan Mission (NJJM) - Danish Environmental
Protection Agency (DEPA), a study tour to Denmark was organized for NJJM officials and State
officials responsible for implementation of JJM, from 28th August – 01st September, 2023. The
purpose of the study tour was to observe and exchange solutions and experiences from Denmark,
India and international on the themes of sustainable water resources, water supply distribution,
and other topics of relevance to the Joint Work Plan on JJM and Joint Action Plan under GSP;
assess feasibility of solutions for India and consider implementation challenges; and to prepare
a Fact-Finding Report to implement learnings in support of JJM and GSP. The delegation
comprised of 11 members from NJJM and States who visited Denmark from 28th August – 01st
September, 2023.
The study tour to Denmark covered the theoretical aspects & field visits related to river
rehabilitation in city, drinking water management, grey water management, sewerage treatment
plant and assessment of quality and quantity of ground and drinking water.
The delegation visited Aarhus Municipality to study integrated water resources

management, water supply regulation, water utility management, O&M and monitoring, Non-
revenue water etc. They met with Danish industry and had dialogue on challenges and solutions
with Danish technology providers. They also visited to Aarhus University for demonstration of
geophysical groundwater mapping methods, river rejuvenation, nature-based solutions. The
delegation also met with representatives of DEPA and visited VCS (water utility of Odense),
Energy and Water Science Centre etc.
The delegation studied role of municipalities and water utilities in water supply schemes, the
powers and functions of regulatory authority, water tariff policies followed by Denmark, the
source of water, digitalization of water supply systems, non-revenue water policies, the
institutional framework for water supply, Geological and hydrogeological models on Water Flow,
Vulnerability Assessments etc., Government-Academia-Industry collaboration, metering
systems, techniques used for prevention of contamination of water, new technologies including
water discharge measurement by a device outside the pipe, Software solutions to problems,
recycling water system for towns, waste to value, etc.
The delegation has given suggestions for adaptation in Indian context which include 100% of
water metering of households in urban areas, levying charges for the same amount of water for
grey water management, fixing the water user charges and efficient collection in rural areas,
O&M of water supply schemes for 10 years through the construction companies, improve the
recharging mechanisms guided by technical experts, improve the hygiene and sanitation at the
water supply scheme sites, use of technology to use a single STP to treat domestic sewage and
industrial effluent, limiting ground water extraction to 33% of the recharge in water deficient
areas, partnership of States with water sector leader nations like Denmark, setting up of state-
of-the-art water science centres, conducting regular regional conferences, establishment of

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water regulatory authority, preparation of district water supply plan, national mapping of ground
water, etc.

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1. Background
On 28 September 2020, the Prime Ministers of India and Denmark agreed to elevate the
bilateral relationship to a Green Strategic Partnership. They further agreed to cooperate in water
efficiency and non-revenue water (water loss) and in this context tasked the Indian Ministry of
Jal Shakti and the Danish Environmental Protection Agency (DEPA) and the Danish Ministry of
Environment to develop a Work Plan for an initial period of three years (2021-23). The two Prime
Ministers also expressed their joint wish to enhance cooperation in the specific areas of water
supply, water distribution, wastewater treatment, sewerage systems, re-use of treated
wastewater, water management and energy optimization in the water sector.
Consequently, a three-year Work Plan (2021-2023) was finalized between National Jal
Jeevan Mission and Danish Environmental Protection Agency (DEPA). The overall objective of the
cooperation is to contribute to achieving the Government of India’s objective that all rural
households will receive drinking water supply in adequate quantity and of prescribed quality on
regular and long-term basis at affordable service delivery charges, leading to improvement in
living standards of rural communities – the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM).
The cooperation works to support a range of priorities of the JJM. Danish representatives
from authorities, utilities, research institutions and companies contribute to the implementation
of JJM by sharing their competences and know-how in the areas of collaboration.
Cooperation at the national level in accordance with the JJM operational guidelines focus on
and support the NJJM in implementing the following activities/responsibilities:
• providing policy guidance, financial assistance and technical support to States;

• enabling cross learning through sharing of best practices, success stories, etc.;
• facilitating scaling up of proven innovative projects;
• promoting innovation, research and technological development activities; and
• facilitating capacity building of State Water and Sanitation Missions, District Water and
Sanitation Missions, State engineering departments/boards and their human resources
The main desired outcomes of the Cooperation are as under:
A. Guidelines, technologies and/or policies for efficiency of the rural water supply system,
appropriate measures for reduction in system leakages, metering of water supply and
sustainable water tariffs
B. Guidelines and/or technologies for energy optimization and increased resource
efficiency in drinking water supply
C. Guidelines and/or technologies for appropriate and affordable water treatment, reject
management of treatment systems and disinfection of water, grey water management
A Steering Committee with high-level representatives of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, the Danish
Environmental Protection Agency, the Embassy of Denmark to India has been set-up to review

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the progress of implementation of the cooperation activities under the Work Plan. Additional
Secretary & Mission Director, NJJM and Deputy Director General, DEPA are the co-chairs of the
Steering Committee.
The duration of the work plan was 2021-2023. However, as decided by Steering Committee,
and due to reasons like COVID-19 and lack of significant progress, the time period of the work
plan was extended till December, 2024 with concurrence from Ministry of External Affairs.
The activities under work plan include kick-off workshops at State/ District and national level,
field visit (s) to State/ District, baseline study including GAP analysis, technological solutions,
water challenges, policy measures and long-term planning, small-scale demonstration, study trip
(s) to Denmark, participation in DANIDA Fellowship Centre (DFC) courses involving Danish
universities and utilities. The workplan is placed at annexure - 1.
1.1 About Study Tour
As part of the workplan, NJJM - DEPA organized a study tour to Denmark for NJJM officials
and State officials responsible for implementation of JJM, from 28th August – 01st September,
2023. The purpose is for authorities to:
• Observe and exchange solutions and experiences from Denmark, India and international
on the themes of sustainable water resources, water supply distribution, and other topics
of relevance to the Joint Work Plan on JJM and Joint Action Plan under GSP.
• Assess feasibility of solutions for India and consider implementation challenges.
• Prepare a Fact-Finding Report to implement learnings in support of JJM and GSP.
Travel expenses (as a general rule flights t/r Denmark, hotels and local travel in Denmark, but
excluding per diem) were borne by Danish side including any visa expense upon handing over of
relevant documentation during the visit.
1.2 Participants of Study Tour

A delegation of following 12 members comprising officials from States and Department of
Drinking Water and Sanitation, Government of India was approved for the study tour by Hon’ble
Minister of Jal Shakti: -
S.
Name of Official Designation Department
No.
Panchayati Raj and Rural
1. Budithi Rajasekhar Spl. Chief Secretary to Govt. Development Department, Govt.
of Andhra Pradesh
Dhirendra Kumar Department of Water Supply and
2. Principal Secretary
Tiwari Sanitation, Govt. of Punjab
Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water
3. Sushil Kumar Lohani Principal Secretary
Department, Govt. of Odisha

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Public Health Engineering
4. Surendra Gupta Principal Secretary
Department, Govt. of West Bengal
Namami Gange and Rural Water
Mission Director, UP Jal
5. Balkar Singh Supply Department, Govt. of Uttar
Nigam (Rural) and Secretary
Pradesh
Public Health Engineering cum
Syed Mohammed
6. Commissioner & Secretary Mission Director, JJM, Govt. of
Andaleeb Razi
Meghalaya
Kailash Karthik Public Health Engineer
7. Mission Director, JJM
Natarajan Department, Govt. of Assam
Drinking Water and Sanitation
8. Manish Ranjan Mission Director, JJM
Department, Govt. of Jharkhand
Public Health Engineering
Chief Engineer-cum-Mission
9. Rajiv Batish Department, Government of
Director, JJM
Haryana
Department of Drinking Water &
10. Pradeep Singh Director, NJJM
Sanitation, Govt. of India
11. Sumit Priyadarshi Deputy Advisor, NJJM
12. Avinash Kumar Sinha Under Secretary, NJJM
Later, Shri Syed Mohammed Andaleeb Razi, Commissioner & Secretary, Government of
Meghalaya could not participate in the study tour due to administrative reasons and
consequently, 11 participants proceeded for the tour. Political clearance from Ministry of
External Affairs and Screening Committee of Secretaries (SCoS) clearance for the study tour were
obtained for the delegation.
The study tour involved visits to Aarhus Municipality to study integrated water resources
management, water supply regulation, meetings with Danish industry, dialogue on challenges
and solutions with Danish technology providers, visit to Aarhus Vand to study water utility
management, O&M and monitoring, Non-revenue water etc., visit to Aarhus University for
demonstration of geophysical groundwater mapping methods, river rejuvenation, nature-based
solutions, meeting with representatives of DEPA, visiting VCS (water utility of Odense), visit to
Energy and Water Science Centre etc. The detailed day-to-day programme of the visit is placed
at Annexure – 2.

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2. Findings and Recommendations of the Study tour participants
rehabilitation in city, drinking water management, grey water management, sewerage treatment
plant and assessment of quality and quantityof ground and drinking water.
2.1 Key findings

• Denmark has clearly laid out a very tightly coordinated Policy Framework on Drinking Water
Access, Abstraction, Management of Resources, and Supervision of Resources among other
things. The tasks of the various levels of Government & Water Agencies – European Union,
National Government, State Departments, Municipalities and Water Utilities – are clearly
enumerated. Thus, there is ‘role clarity’ among the various institutions, necessary continued
line of funding leading to ‘institution building’ and creation of transferable ‘knowledge
assets’ which are relevant to the situation on ground.
• The table below highlights the tasks of the various levels of the Government with regard to
Water Supply:
Administrative level Inhabitants Main tasks within water supply

European Union 450 million Drinking Water Directive,
Water Frame Directive,
Nitrate Directive,
Environmental Impact Assessment
Danish Parliament 5.5 million Legislation:
Water Supply Act & Ministerial orders,
River Basin Management Plans,
Mapping of Groundwater Resources
5 Regions 0.6- 1.8 M Mapping & Remediation of contaminated sites
98 Municipalities 5000- 0.6 M Water Supply Planning,
Resource Management,
Licensing water abstraction,
Supervision of drinking water, Groundwater

protection
• There was no separate village water supply system. As per the Water Supply Act of Denmark,
Ground water is considered as a common economic good and it is mandatory to obtain a
license to abstract water. For any abstraction of Ground Water, Municipality is the licensing
authority and the applicant for a license must describe the possible impacts on the

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surroundings (e.g. other abstractions, wet nature and streams) and these impacts set the
limits for drawdown. 100% of the drinking water is obtained from ground water and highest
priority is accorded to prevention of contamination than to subsequent purification. Since
1987, domestic water consumption decreased by 22% to 136 LPCD largely due to intensive
water saving, information campaigns and leakage reduction efforts.
• People are not allowed to dig the private borewells in the areas covered by the water supply
schemes but permit is granted by the municipalities for borewell to the houses in the areas
not covered by the municipality water supply scheme. Further, at the National & Municipal
Planning levels, clear long-term plans of management of River Basins, Waste Water Plans,
Ground Water Protection Plans & Water Supply Plans are made which dictate the activities
on the same.
• The Geological Survey of Denmark & Greenland (GEUS) is a research and advisory institution
in the Danish Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities and has been set up as a National
Geological Datacenter, which among other things maintains the core data on Water.
• The legislation on licensed extraction of water is driving the dataflow in the country, and it
is mandatory to report to GEUS for any sort of drilling/bore activities. This has led to the
development of the Jupiter - National well database Wells, geology, “paper archive”,
groundwater and drinking water GERDA - National Geophysical database. The PC-GERDA
database offers exhaustive data sets ranging from geophysical data to quality control
parameters and processed models, ensuring that all facets of groundwater management are
catered to with utmost precision.
• In Denmark,
o All Drilling companies must report to GEUS about New boreholes, Closed boreholes,
Lithology etc.
o All Municipalities must report to GEUS about the Waterworks and their status and
permits.
o All Laboratories must report to GEUS about the Ground water analysis data &
Drinking water analysis data.
o All the Waterworks must report to GEUS their use of boreholes.
o Further, any reports concerning hydrological investigations carried out by any agency
must be reported to GEUS.
o In addition to this, voluntary reporting is encouraged so that the common database

gets strengthened.
• The collection of the data has led to the development of rich Geological and hydrogeological
models on Water Flow, Vulnerability Assessments etc. Like GPS led to a flurry of innovations

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around location data, this is akin to the ‘GPS’ of Water, and has helped the various
stakeholders like Industry, Researchers, Students, Private Citizens, Municipalities, Start-ups,
Policy Makers, Legislators etc. to leverage and build multiple utilities, applications using this
data.
• Institutions have invested heavily in digitization, and digitalization of processes, outcomes

and assets which has led to strong record keeping and institutional memory of the data/
task.
• The Government-Academia-Industry collaboration is established well which leads to a

virtuous cycle where problems faced by the Public Sector are researched upon by the
Universities and the Minimum Viable Product is then scaled up by the Industry as a
Commercial solution for further implementation and exploitation. The development of
Geophysical water search techniques by Aarhus University, for meeting needs of the Water
Utilities of Denmark, has now translated into commercial companies delivering services for
not just Denmark but also exploiting its commercial potential outside the country.
• Denmark designed a unique policy wherein the water supply is mainly provided by private
water utilities owned by the Municipalities with a monopoly in the districts they service but
registered as non-profit limited companies. The management of drinking water supply is
done through 200 water utilities and grey water management is done through 100 utilities
in the whole country. Consumers bear the full cost of operating and maintaining the water
and wastewater utilities. All costs pertaining to construction, operation and maintenance of
water utilities are recuperated through tariffs. But to ensure protection to the consumers,
all water utilities are subject to economic regulation to check water prices being
overcharged. The regulation takes care of efficiency requirements for the utilities and is
implemented through revenue caps and economic benchmarking of the utility’s costs. The
revenue caps define the range of revenues that the companies may collect the price from
households for water. Benchmarking is used to assess utility charges whether some utilities
have higher costs than other similar utilities and is also used to establish the individual
efficiency requirements.
• The regulatory authority also ensures competition amongst different water utilities and
encourages innovation.
• There is variation in tariff of water in Denmark depending upon Geographical attributes of

regions, the diversity inherent in consumer categories and their respective consumption
patterns, as well as the necessary investments in water infrastructure and services which
play significant roles in determining pricing. For example, data from 2021 reveals that a
household in Denmark, averaging 2.12 members and consuming 105 liters per person daily,
typically incurred a charge of €9.85/m3. However, these rates demonstrated flexibility based
on household structures, with individual households potentially paying up to €11.06/m3,
while larger families might only be charged €8.84/m3. Furthermore, it is pertinent to note a
1.3% rise in these rates from the prior year.

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• Water pricing disparities across Denmark can be attributed to a confluence of variables.
These include the distinct profiles of consumers and their associated demands, challenges in
water extraction owing to geological factors, the geographical distribution of consumers and
the subsequent infrastructure implications, variations in groundwater conditions and
quality, the emphasis placed on groundwater protection by different entities, and the
distinct wastewater treatment protocols and scales. Other influencing elements encompass
the age and condition of existing infrastructure, demanding periodic maintenance, and the
varied service levels as determined by individual municipalities and water companies.
• The collection of water charges and grey water charges is also done by the utility and every
house has a metered connection. In fact, about 20 percent consumption of water was
reduced after installation of meters in the households. The water charges are also very
significant for the public varying from 2-5% of the income of the households and therefore
the public has high motivation to reduce the monthly water bill.
• People are encouraged to use the rainwater for non-drinking purposes, but people are not
allowed to do the recharge of rainwater by themselves as any carelessness in that can
contaminate the ground water.
• The metering system encourages the consumers to use the rainwater for non-drinking
purposes so that monthly bill of drinking water and grey water management is reduced. The
whole country uses ground water as a source and nowhere surface water is used as a source
for drinking.
• There is no microbial contamination of ground water in the whole country and therefore
there is no requirement for chlorination of water at any stage in the drinking water supply
system.
• The whole water supply system is covered & automated and not exposed to outside
environment to avoid any contamination. There are only the provisions for aeration and
filtration of water in water treatment plant. The areasnear the water source i.e., tube well is
kept as protective zones to ensure that there is no contamination of fertilizers and pesticides
of ground water. If there are many sources in any area and the supply is for the bigger
municipality then the size of protective zone is very large and regulation regarding use of
fertilizers and pesticides are stricter. The issue of contamination is mainly related to
pesticidesand polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
• More than 4,700 PFAS substances have been identified, all of which are very persistent in
the environment, and some are also suspected of being immunotoxin and carcinogenic.
Denmark identified the greatest threat to the quality of the drinking water from the main
water utilities is increasing contamination of the groundwater from intensive agricultural
production (nitrate and pesticides) and chemical waste depositories. Until now, water
utilities have been able to meet these contamination threats by relocating abstraction wells
and reorganizing the abstraction of groundwater. In future, priority will be accorded to
preventative efforts, to ensure that the Danish water supply can continue to be pure,
uncontaminated groundwater.
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• The whole system of digging the tube wells, withdrawal of ground water and grey water
management is done through proper scientific assessment. The quality parameters are
assessed at each level, and they maintain the hygienic and sanitation standards considering
the water treatment plant and other components as a food unit.
• Their design period for various drinking water supplyschemes is 50-100 years. They have a
very advanced demonstration and learning center for awareness of public and children
regarding water quality, conservation, grey water management, climatic changes, and
sustainability at Copenhagen.
• Annually, Denmark’s expansive network of approximately 700 wastewater treatment plants

process a staggering 600–800 million m3 of wastewater. Through their sophisticated
mechanisms, they manage to eradicate nearly 90% of the nitrogen and phosphorus content
before the water is harmoniously re-integrated into the natural ecosystem. Motivated by
their intrinsic standards of excellence and an unwavering focus on environmental
conservation, many Danish treatment plants often surpass regulatory benchmarks. Their
treatment processes are so refined that the discharged water often contains less than half
the legally permissible phosphorus and stays below 70% of the allowed nitrogen threshold.
• Treatment facilities are meticulously designed to process a definitive volume of water to

ensure optimal waste management. Surpassing this benchmark can inadvertently result in
the ejection of active biological sludge into natural reservoirs—an antithesis to the facility's
primary objective. Anticipating such contingencies, plants are equipped with upstream
overflow structures or bypass conduits in sensitive zones like aeration tanks. Occasionally,
during short-lived maintenance cycles for core pumping conduits, wastewater enterprises
might resort to procuring permits for transitory wastewater discharges into natural habitats.
Nevertheless, this water is usually subjected to preliminary mechanical refinement.
• The vision for 2030 encompasses regulatory norms, novel digital instruments, and tackling
challenges like water contaminants, adapting to climate change, and mitigating construction
emissions. While collaborations hold promise, selecting apt partners and resource allocation
pose their own set of challenges.
2.2 City Visits
Delegation visited three cities of Denmark namely Aarhus, Odense and Copenhagen during the
study tour. Salient points for each city visits are as under: -
Day-1 & 2- Monday & Tuesday, August 28-29th 2023
City - Aarhus
On 1st day, a site visit to a stream flowing through Aarhus Municipality was done. The
project gave insight on the various stages of development of the natural stream. This stream was
initially a clean natural water source which got polluted by the discharge of city waste water into
it. After the rejuvenation project, now only clean water is flowing in the stream. On both sides of

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this stream, various eating points and places of tourist attractions have come up. The
maintenance is borne by collecting charges from the people. Also, Denmark is the only foreign
country that is signatory to Indian concept of River City Alliance launched by NMCG and river
Aarhus.
Presentations by delegates from Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and GOI on current situations and
possibilities of collaborations with Denmark Govt. in areas of interest were made. The officers of
the Aarhus Municipality and industry experts made their presentations whereby following
important points were elaborated: -
1. Water utility model was adopted by creating government and private partnership. This
model is based on ‘No profit No Loss concept’.
2. User Charges are taken from the consumers and there are no government grants for running
this model. The working efficiency can be seen by the figure of non-revenue water which is
only 3.5%. Demonstration was given how in a locality leakage detection is done and
preventive measures are taken.
3. The delegates visited the Beder Water Treatment Plant, Aarhus where everyone appreciated
the level of hygiene and maintenance. There was another presentation by Carlos Alberto
Arias on nature-based solutions for water treatment. This plant is already working in Aligarh
Muslim University, Uttar Pradesh, India.
4. New technologies were discussed, which includes, (i) water discharge measurement by a
device outside the pipe, (ii) Software solutions to problems, (iii) recycling water system for
towns, (iv) waste to value etc.
Day-3- Wednesday August 30th 2023
City - Odense
The delegation visited the Danish Environmental Protection Agency where the
presentations on integrated water resources management, national water supply regulation and
national groundwater programme were made. The key points of the presentation were the study
of an underground start-up, data analysis of a system of bore wells, as well as impact of saline
ocean water on the coastal areas. Delegation visited a water utility of Odense which is situated
in an area surrounded by heavy forestation. The water utility in Denmark is keeping the pump
chamber over ground level for better accessibility and maintenance. The forestation in the
Bolgrow wellfield area has provided protection to the ground water from the percolation of
Industrial/Agricultural chemicals.
Indian delegates from other States also made their presentations and discussions on
environmental issues were held.
Day-4 & 5- Thursday & Friday, 31st August & 01st Sep, 2023
City- Copenhagen

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In the city of Copenhagen, the delegation visited Hillerod Water Utility. The following
observations were made with respect to Drinking Water Supply: -
1. The number of staffs employed regularl is minimal. The water level in the Bore well is
constantly seen on computer monitor as the entire network of data collection is fully
automatic. The important point is that various municipalities help each other by providing
water from one area to another area and the concept of ‘No Profit and No Loss’ is working
very well.
2. It was a very good experience to see the covered Water Treatment Plant which is first of its
kind. Usually, the waste water treatment plants are designed in an open area only but this
waste water treatment plant having SCADA system not only maintains automatic
functioning but most of the treated water is used within the plant and the dry waste is sent
to Incinerator Plant.
3. The visit to energy and Water Science Centre, Copenhagen is a good modal for the visits of
young school children and educated youth so that they are properly sensitized towards the
usage of energy through various models and multimedia presentations.
4. National Geological Survey of Denmark, Danish Water Regulatory Authority made
presentations to the delegations. The national geological survey of Denmark and Greenland
has done 100% digitization of data and database. They have developed such modelling
tools so that the latest data is not only captured but it also is being used for correct
decisions. The Danish Water Regulatory Authority takes care of benchmarking and tariff
systems of various water utilities in Denmark.
2.3 Suggestions for improvement of water supply system in India
The following measures can be taken to improve system of drinking water, greywater
management, improvement of quality of river water and Sewerage Treatment Plants:
• 100% of water metering of households along with a slab system of user charges to encourage
the less consumption of water. Even the water charges and collection efficiency of water
should be improved. The provision to give permit for private tube wells in cities should be
made stricter.
• Denmark has been making extensive use of technology in monitoring water distribution which
ensures detection of leakages, availability of ground water as well as supply of good quality water.
High quality of water pumps used by the utilities also ensures zero maintenance requirement. These
can be suitably adopted in India through local partnership.
• In addition to water charges for drinking water, there should be charges for the same
amount of water for grey water management. This will motivate and encourage the public
to use less water and harvest the rainwater and manage the grey water in a better way. This
can be done bya policy at state level and implementing it through Urban Local Bodies.
• As it will not be practical to use the metering system in villages at this stage, but villagers
also need to sensitised the value of water and use it judiciously, grey water management
and harvest the rainwater in villages and in fields. Therefore, fixing the water user charges
and efficient collection thereof, is must to instil the sense of responsibility regarding
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sustainability of quality and quantity of water.
• As Gram Panchayats in UP have miserably failed in owning, operating and maintaining the
hitherto constructed and handed over water supply schemes to them, therefore it will be
better to do the O&M of water supply schemes for 10 years through the companies, who
have constructed the schemes. Jal Nigam Rural can run the other schemes through
competitively selected vendor. This will require the huge fund which can be done partially
through state budget and partially through deduction at State HQ from the State & Central
Finance Commission Fund. Then Gram Panchayats shall be allowed, activated, and
incentivised for collection of user charges and involvement in the management of the water
supply schemes. They shall be allowed to use that collected money for any purpose in the
village as per the guidelines of State and Central Finance Commission Fund. This system will
ensure the proper utilisation of the huge investments in Jal Jeevan Mission with little more
investment and Gram Panchayats will also be interested in collecting the user charges as
they can use that money for any developmental work in the village.
• Need to improve the hygiene and sanitation at the water supply scheme sites, in schools,
anganwadis and household in the villages.
• The community in India is better aware than Denmark to conserve the water, grey water
management and rainwater harvesting but somehow this is not done scientifically and have
the chances of ground water contamination. Therefore, there is need to improve the
recharging mechanisms guided by technical experts, especially where sub surface recharge
is done, to avoid any contamination of ground water.
• The Central and State Ground Water Authorities can use their technology for the better
assessment of ground water. The provisions to give permission to dig the borewells
especially for the bulk water users, water suppliers, hotels, industrial and commercial
establishments shall be made stricter and already existing norms shall be implemented in
letter and spirit. The norms for the agricultural borewells shall be made stringent especially
in the dark zones where irrigation facilities are arranged by the Government through canal
system.
• Water testing through Labs and Field Testing Kits shall be further improved to supply the
quality water to rural areas.
• The technology to use a single STP to treat domestic sewage and industrial effluent can be
very useful in Indian scenario as in most of the cities usually get mixed effluents. It will be
more convenient and save money.
• The rehabilitation of river Aarhus can be used for meeting out the objectives of River City
Alliance being done by NMCG.
• The concept of water utilities, tariffs, water meters, SCADA etc. that make Danish water
systems among the best in the world is something to aspire for in the near future at least in
India. JJM has already seeded the first step of FHTC with adequate quantity (55 lpcd) and
prescribed quality (BIS: 10500). Time to re-visit the entire supply chain processes to achieve
this end. The Danish model of monopoly water utilities owned by Municipalities is something

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akin to our SPV model that is already utilized in setting up some of our successful Metro
MRTS.
• Biggest learning is the concept of Non-Revenue Water. When the consumer pays for the
water and the water utilities are non-profit subject to economic regulation then water loss
becomes so critical that it needs to be monitored throughout its journey from the source to
the consumer through the complex water treatment systems and the main and secondary
pipelines, most of which runs underground. Data on water flow is so crucial that the water
utilities and the Municipalities invest in technology and innovate on measuring losses. Two
District Metered Areas (DMA) in the Copenhagen urban district Frederiksberg is now
supplied with drinking water controlled with Grundfos DDD – Demand Driven Distribution
utilising advanced technology and internet of things (IoT). Using hydraulic modelling the
system is designed to ensure the required pressure at all customers. The purpose of the new
‘pressure control station’ is to provide local pressure optimisation in the two DMAs supplied
directly from the pumping station. The pumping station is equipped with five intelligent
pumps from Grundfos with each a capacity of 45 cubic meters of water per hour (45 m3/h).
Anything free or almost free has no value. Even in India poor households, particularly
women, are willing to pay for quality water at their doorstep. JJM is encouraging States to
levy user charges and use it for maintenance. Once this happens then optimisation of usage
and minimising water-loss becomes everybody’s concern.
• The PFAS is going to be the buzzword in the coming days as the quality standards of drinking
water get updated globally. We are already seeing the effects of pollution of inland fishing
with high usage of anti-biotics on the ground water. Recently in Dec, 2020 there was an
outbreak of a mysterious illness in Eluru and neighbouring villages of WG Dt of AP linked to
high pollution levels in Kolleru lake. More than 600 people fell sick due to an undiagnosed
illness. Experts from NIN found the presence of herbicides in vegetables and the Experts from
AIIMS confirmed Lead and Nickel in blood samples. Denmark had announced ban of its use
in Fire Extinguishers from 2024. Already banned in paper and card food packaging since
2020. Denmark may show the way.
• Denmark is on the forefront of knowledge and technology in the water sector mainly due to
the active collaboration of the water utilities with Universities and Research Institutions.
They have given a practical demo of towed Transient Electro-Magnetic (tTEM) system
developed at the Hydro Geophysics Dept of Aarhus University for detailed 3D geophysical
and geological mapping of the shallow subsurface in a fast and cost-effective way. This is
already being used by the Govt of Tamil Nadu. In AP under YSR Jala kala scheme drill free
borewells to eligible small and marginal farmers. The existing methods of conducting ground
water surveys are not very effective and resulting in high number of failed borewells. The
potential benefits of tTEM survey looks encouraging. JJM may facilitate this through Danish
Embassy.
• On the front of declining ground water level, it is ensured that in the areas which are
especially considered to be deficient, the ground water extraction is limited to 33% of the
recharge. Therefore, in India also, there is need to limit groundwater extraction w.r.t

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groundwater recharge being done. This will provide an enabling environment towards rain
water conservation and recharging.
• In Denmark, all companies involved in drilling the bore well are licensed and properly
monitored and their groundwater mapping and modelling system may be adopted by the
Central Ground Water Authority/State Ground Water Authority.
• In a limited way, Assam will initiate and translate some of the relevant observations in the
State over the next 6-12 months, including the establishing a Cell for Benchmarking the
Performance of Water User Committees, Mapping of DTWs, Lithologs, Aquifers, and setting
up of WASH Community Centres at the State/ District levels. However, it is felt that the visit
to Denmark should be followed up with a Fact Finding & Benchmark Study by a mix of Danish,
Indian experts to the Assam/other Indian States, leading to a Vision, Strategic Roadmap for
each State. Translation of this vision will need Technical Assistance of countries or agencies
like World Bank which can help build our institutions and their capacities over the next 3-5
years. Given the sizes of the Indian States, complexities therein and the amount of
investments being made in the Water Sector under Jal Jeevan Mission, it is felt that each
State should partner with a Water Sector leader nation like Denmark etc. to better
understand the journey made by these countries and help leapfrog the institution building
process by a few decades, much like Jal Jeevan Mission has short-circuited the problem of
Access to Water by a few decades.
• There is an urgent need of setting up of state-of-the-art water science centres, one at the
National level and at the state headquarters to create awareness about the water related
issues amongst the young generation. Conducted tours can be organized to these centres
which will also act as the hub of activities for creation of awareness in this area through
various channels.
• Regular regional conferences on various thematic areas which will also act as the forum for
sharing of success stories can be organized in which field level technical staff can participate
and learn from each other. Experts from various states/countries can be called to share the
successful models will give them appropriate exposure and help them improve technically.
A Central technical institute on water management can be set up which can organize various
short-term technical courses for the field engineers.
• The following measures may also be considered:
• Water regulatory authority - An Independent authority to ensure efficiency and
competitive water prices in a sector with natural monopolies, compares efficiency of the
individual water companies, benchmarking results used to set revenue caps, and reports
the NRW and O&M.
• District Water Supply plan for each district describes the present and expected future
water requirements, make arrangement for the water suppliers’ utilities, allocates areas
where common water suppliers/ VWSCs etc., describes areas where water is supplied by
private water suppliers/private wells, and plans future expansion of water plants and
their future supply areas.

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• National Mapping to know ground water resource/ Surface water, identify sensitive
areas, and special drinking water areas (GW/ Surface water)
• Working group to see water supply legislation for availability of water and its volume,
report ground water abstraction in national database, build database for ground water
and surface water resource, the citizens’ and industries’ need for sufficient water supply
of a satisfactory quality, and environmental and nature protection (conserving an area’s
natural qualities).

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Annexure 1
Work Plan (2021-23)

for cooperation
between
National Jal Jeevan Mission, Ministry of Jal
Shakti, Government of India
and
Danish Environmental Protection Agency,
Ministry of Environment of Denmark
as part of the
Green Strategic Partnership between India
and
Denmark
in the water sector

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I. Background
On 28 September 2020, the Prime Ministers of India and Denmark agreed to elevate the bilateral
relationship to a Green Strategic Partnership. They further agreed to cooperate in water efficiency and
non-revenue water (water loss) and in this context tasked the Indian Ministry of Jal Shakti and the
Danish Environmental Protection Agency (DEPA) and the Danish Ministry of Environment to develop a
Work Plan for an initial period of three years (2021-23). The two Prime Ministers also expressed their
joint wish to enhance cooperation in the specific areas of water supply, water distribution, wastewater
treatment, sewerage systems, re-use of treated wastewater, water management and energy
optimization in the water sector through the Indo-Danish Water Technology Alliance.
Following the Prime Ministers’ summit, it has been decided that the initial three year Work Plan
(20212023) will focus on supporting the National Jal Jeevan Mission (NJJM) under the Ministry of Jal
Shakti.
II. Purpose
The overall objective of the cooperation is to contribute to achieving the Government of India’s
objective that by 2024, all rural households will receive drinking water supply in adequate quantity and
of prescribed quality on regular and long-term basis at affordable service delivery charges, leading to
improvement in living standards of rural communities – the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)
The cooperation will work to support a range of priorities of the JJM. Through collaboration at union as
well as state, district and/or village level, India and Denmark can co-create solutions in the fields of
policy, planning, regulation and implementation as well as technology, research & development and
skilling that combine Danish and Indian expertise with the purpose of meeting the objectives of JJM. By
sharing their competences and know-how in the areas of collaboration, Danish representatives from
authorities, utilities, research institutions and companies can contribute to the implementation of JJM
and help to make its gains sustainable in the years to come. Finally, if successful, the solutions cocreated
by India and Denmark for the Jal Jeevan Mission would have global relevance and could be shared with
other countries working to reach UN SDG 6.
Cooperation at the national level will in accordance with the JJM operational guidelines focus on and
support the NJJM in implementing the following activities/responsibilities1:
- providing policy guidance, financial assistance and technical support to States - enabling cross-
learning through sharing of best practices, success stories, etc.
- facilitating scaling up of proven innovative projects
- promoting innovation, research and technological development activities
- facilitating capacity building of State Water and Sanitation Missions, District Water and
Sanitation Missions, State engineering departments/boards and their human resources Since
water supply is primarily a state responsibility in India, the cooperation will include one or more
states. Cooperation at this level will focus on and support the selected state(s) in implementing
the following activities/responsibilities2:
1
JJM Operational Guidelines, page 26
2
JJM Operational Guidelines, page 28
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- providing policy guidance and being responsible for the overall planning, strategizing, and
implementation of JJM in the State.
- deciding charges for providing functional household tap connections (FHTC) to rural households
- deciding water service standards
- building suitable incentive and disincentive mechanism in the policy to discourage wastage of
water as well as to meet recurring expenditure on bulk water, distribution network and
household level supply
- developing operations and maintenance (O&M) strategy and monthly tariff/user charges for
ensuring financial sustainability of the system/scheme.
- deciding action on unauthorized/unmetered/unaccounted connections to stop continued loss of
water/revenue
The results of the cooperation will be communicated through channels such as published articles,
movies and social media content as well as events such as conferences, thematic workshops and
webinars, etc.
III. Institutional mechanisms of cooperation
The main cooperation partners will be the National Jal Jeevan Mission (NJJM) and the Danish
Environmental Protection Agency (DEPA). However, the successful development and implementation of
the agreed outcomes require competences and collaboration from a range of partners from India and
Denmark, including at state, district and/or village level and other stakeholders. The two main
cooperation partners NJJM and DEPA will lead and ensure progress on the work of outcome A.
With the support of the two main cooperation partners, the Embassy of Denmark and designated Indian
partners at state/district/utility level will lead and ensure progress on the work of outcomes B through
C.
Other relevant stakeholders on both sides will be identified to provide support on different elements of
the cooperation. Through Water Challenges, the partners will develop and support capacity for Indian
water technology R&D and entrepreneurship among students and young entrepreneurs in collaboration
with Atal Innovation Mission and Innovation Centre Denmark in a way that contributes to JJM
implementation by offering new solutions to JJM priorities. In these processes and throughout the
collaboration, ties will be strengthened between this Work Plan and Indo-Danish collaboration on
Science and Technology in the area of water technology for mutual benefit.
The main cooperation partners will ensure – with support from all partners involved – synergy between
activities in outcome A, B and C, e.g. congruence between localities for small scale demonstration
projects. Since the aim of the outcomes through this cooperation, e.g. reduction of system leakages
(outcome A) and energy optimization of drinking water supply (outcome B), are each other’s
preconditions and mutually reinforce each other, outcome A through C should ideally involve the same
partners, e.g. districts, utilities, etc.
Outcome themes Page
Outcome A: Guidelines, technologies and/or policies for efficiency of the rural water supply system, 5
appropriate measures for reduction in system leakages, metering of water supply and sustainable water tariffs

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Outcome B: Guidelines and/or technologies for energy optimization and increased resource efficiency in 9
drinking water supply
Outcome C: Guidelines and/or technologies for appropriate and affordable water treatment, reject 11
management of treatment systems and disinfection of water, grey water management
The main cooperation partners including relevant partners (constituting the Project Management Unit,
PMU) will oversee progress on outcomes, outputs and activities and the overall implementation of the
cooperation, including synergy between outcomes A through C. Meetings in the PMU will take place
whenever needed during the Work Plan period. The PMU will be responsible for reporting to the
Steering Committee (see below). The PMU’s work will include a yearly stock-take which will describe the
status of activities and suggest possible additions and omissions to the Work Plan to be decided upon by
the Steering Committee. The first stock-take could take the form of an evaluation workshop.
In order to review the progress of implementation of the cooperation activities under the Work Plan, a
Steering Committee with high-level representatives of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, the Danish
Environmental Protection Agency, the Embassy of Denmark to India and, if relevant, representatives
from other key partner organizations, will be set up. It will meet as and when required, but at least once
per year, to review the progress as reported by the Project Management Unit in the implementation of
the Work Plan and agree any changes that may be deemed necessary or beneficial to the cooperation.
Agreed minutes of the Steering Committee meetings will be adopted by written procedure following
each meeting.
This jointly agreed Work Plan with concrete outcomes, outputs, activities and partners will form the
basis of collaboration for an initial period of three years (2021-23). Results and best practices from all
outcomes will be shared and scaled up through the National Jal Jeevan Mission and will have
strengthened relevant policy mechanisms.
IV. Project period
2021 –2023. Due to the unforeseeable global development of the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2021 travel
and other restrictions might pose a challenge to the progress of certain outcomes, outputs and
activities. Hence the Steering Committee will convene in the first half of 2022 to take stock of results in
the first year of cooperation and deliberate on any necessary changes to the Work Plan including
possible additions and omissions as well as the possible need for an extension of the cooperation to
ensure three full years of cooperation dependant on the start of the cooperation (e.g. June 2021 – June
2024).
As a consequence of possible travel restrictions meetings via videolink will serve as a tool to ensure
progress, coordination and relations building between the parties involved.
At the outset of 2023 the Steering Committee will deliberate on possibilities for future cooperation. The
issue will be revisited by the Project Management Unit throughout 2023 in order to ensure a smooth
transition into a possible continued cooperation in 2024.
Towards the end of this Work Plan, the Steering Committee will convene to decide on the possibilities for
future cooperation.
V. Contributions from partners
Each party will contribute the necessary human resources to implement this Work Plan. In particular, a
project manager/nodal officer will be designated at NJJM, DEPA and Embassy of Denmark, respectively.
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The project manager/nodal officer will be the main point of contact and will dedicate the necessary
worktime to the project in order to ensure speedy progress and concrete results. Denmark will dedicate
funding to the cooperation, including capacity building and technical assistance. As a general rule, each
party will bear its own costs for the implementation of various activities, unless otherwise agreed. If the
implementation of the cooperation requires investment in equipment and/or technology, such funding
(full or partial) will be sought in a joint effort between the partners involved.
NJJM will provide support to DEPA in its outreach to state and district level partners. Focus on one state
could ensure synergy between outcomes A through C, including possible pilot projects. NJJM will also
ensure that all existing utility level data is shared and provide dedicated staff support at utility level.
Finally, NJJM will co-ordinate with Central Public Health and Environmental Engineering Organization, if
relevant, and nominate a suitable sector partner to work with DEPA and Danish partners.
i. No funding/recruitment process regarding establishment of PMU etc. shall be undertaken by NJJM.
ii.NJJM will extend its cooperation in selection of States/ Districts etc. based on further discussion and
strategy for implementation of the Work Plan in the selected States.
iii. Since JJM is implemented by States and its agencies, hence a full time Project Manager from
NJJM is not required. However, a nodal officer from NJJM can be nominated for coordination between
the trio i.e. NJJM, States and DEPA.
WORK PLAN
OBJECTIVE: The cooperation will contribute to achieving the Government of India’s objective that by
2024, all rural households will receive drinking water supply in adequate quantity and of prescribed
quality on regular and long-term basis at affordable service delivery charges, leading to improvement in
living standards of rural communities
OUTCOME A: By the end of the 3-year work plan, guidelines, technologies and/or policies for
efficiency improvements of the rural water supply system have been introduced at one or several
specific localities at state level. The improvement(s) will be sought through introducing appropriate
measures for reduction in system leakages, metering of water supply and sustainable water tariffs that
can finance the operation and maintenance of water supply systems.
Output A1: Sustainable rural drinking water supply Indicators: Kick-off workshops at State/district and
assessment national level held. Field visit(s) conducted and field
reports submitted. Baseline study completed and
approved. Additional data collection conducted and
documented in a report. Report providing an
assessment of the sustainability of rural drinking
water supply at district and/or utility level has been
completed and approved.
Activities Product Primary partners Timing

A1.1: Kick-off workshops Project plan for outcome Activity owner(s): NJJM. Q3 2021
(virtual or physical) at A State government department
State/District and Large utility/ PHED/ MVS
national level DK partner: DEPA

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A.1.2: Field visit(s) to Field report Activity owner(s): State Q3-4 2021
State/District government department. Large
utility/PHED/MVS
DK partner: DEPA
A.1.3: Baseline study, Baseline study, including Activity owner(s): Large Q3-4 2021
including GAP analysis inventory of available utility/PHED/MVS
data and GAP analysis DK partner: Danish utility
A.1.4: Additional data Data report Activity owner(s): State Q1 2022

collection government department. Large
utility/PHED/MVS
DK partner: Danish utility
A.1.5: Reporting on Assessment report, Activity owner(s): State Q1-2 2022
sustainable water supply including location government department. Large
assessment specific utility/PHED/MVS
recommendations as DK partner: Danish utility
well as challenges in
framework conditions
Output A.2: Identification of measures for Indicators: Technological solutions for sustainable
achieving sustainable rural drinking water supply rural drinking water supply and recommendations
for implementation identified and incorporated in
the design of rural water supply systems. Policy
measures and long-term planning approaches and
recommendations for implementation identified
and incorporated in a new tariff policy at state level.
Consumer/community awareness campaign
activities implemented in collaboration with local
community representatives.
A.2.1: Technological Presentations and Activity owner(s): State Q2 2022

solutions technical government department. Large
notes/specifications utility/PHED/MVS
A.2.2: Water Challenges: Two Water Challenges, Lead/responsible: 2022-2023
Technology and including possible Innovation Centre Denmark and
entrepreneurship showcasing through DEPA. NITI Aayog Atal Innovation
bootcamp participation of Mission and NJJM.
bootcamp participants at
the International
Water Association
Conference &
Exhibition 2022 in
Copenhagen, Denmark

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A.2.3: Policy measures Recommendations on Activity owner(s): State Q1 2022 kickoff
and long term planning policy measures and government department. Large and ongoing
long-term planning utility/PHED/MVS dialogue
approaches Ministry of Jal Shakti throughout
DK partner: DEPA, cooperation
Danish utility
A.2.4: Recommendations on Activity owner(s): Large Q2-4 2022
Consumer/community and implementation of utility/PHED/MVS
awareness campaigns consumer/community State and local community
awareness and representatives
engagement activities DK partner: Danish utility
Output A.3: Introduction of new technology Indicators: Pre-feasibility study prepared.

through small scale demonstration project(s) Blueprint for resource and cost-efficient tender
specifications based on knowledge-sharing. Small
scale demonstration project(s) implemented. Pre-
feasibility study completed and approved.
Blueprint for resource- and costefficient tender
specifications based on knowledge sharing
developed and approved for use in tenders. 1-3
small scale demonstration project(s) implemented.
A.3.1: Pre-feasibility Pre-feasibility study Activity owner(s): State Q2-3 2022
study for small scale government department. Large
demonstration project(s) utility/PHED/MVS
A.3.2: Blueprint and Blueprint for suitable Activity owner(s): State Q2-3 2022
knowledge-sharing on tender specifications for government department. Large
resource- and water-related projects utility/PHED/MVS
costefficient tender and sustainable water DK partner: Danish utility
specifications investments more
broadly
A.3.3: Small-scale Small-scale Activity owner(s): NJJM and NITI Q4 2022-23

demonstration demonstration Aayog Atal Innovation
project(s) project(s) implemented Mission. State government

implementation and results documented department. Large
utility/PHED/MVS
DK partner: Danish utility.
Relevant stakeholders and
technology providers
Output A.4: Technological assistance and expertise Indicators: On-site training sessions for utility staff
for utility performance improvement and management conducted and training manual
produced. Study trip(s) to Denmark completed and
learnings documented.

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A.4.1: On-site training of Training of staff to Activity owner(s): State 2022-23
utility staff increase level of government department. Large
knowledge and utility/PHED/MVS
organizational capacity DK partner: Danish utility
and training manual for
replication and
dissemination
A.4.2: Study trip(s) to Compilation of study Activity owner(s): Ministry of Jal 2022-23
Denmark trip learnings relevant Shakti.
for JJM implementation Representatives from
and States/Districts
sustainable water DK partner: DEPA
management
A.4.3: Participation in Participants becoming Activity owner(s): State 2021-23
DANIDA Fellowship agents for change in government department.
Centre (DFC) courses their home organizations Participant(s) from large
involving Danish utility/PHED/MVS. Ministry of
universities and utilities Jal Shakti or others
DK partner: DFC
Output A.5: Sharing and upscaling results and Indicators: Results and best practices from
best practices on sustainable rural drinking water outcome A shared and scaled up through NJJM, e.g.
management via its monthly magazine Jal Jeevan Samvad and
technical manuals guiding state level
implementation across India. At least one event
organized where results and learnings are shared
with other international and Indo-Danish projects
related to drinking water management.
A.5.1: Knowledgesharing Events and Activity owner(s): NJJM. State 2021-23
of results and best communication government department. DK
practices of activities materials on results and partner: DEPA
through outcome A for best practices
scale up through NJJM
A.5.2: Knowledgesharing Strengthening of the Activity owner(s): NJJM DK 2021-23

with existing and future cooperation between partner: DEPA
Ministry of Jal Shakti
international and and the Danish
IndoDanish projects Environmental
Protection Agency
through cross learnings
and knowledge-sharing
with relevant water
related projects.

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OUTCOME B: By the end of the 3-year work plan, guidelines and/or technologies for energy
optimization and increased resource efficiency in drinking water supply have been introduced at specific
large-scale multi village schemes (MVS) and/or single village schemes (SVS). The energy and resource
optimization aims to reduce energy bills and can be achieved through appropriate measures, e.g.
introduction of energy efficient pumps for use in multi-stage pumping.
Output B.1 Mapping of current technology and Indicators: Kick-off workshop at state/district level
work processes for energy optimization and held. Field visit(s) conducted. Baseline study
resource efficiency in rural drinking water supply prepared. Additional data collection conducted.
(work study) Reporting on energy and resource optimization in
rural drinking water supply at district and/or utility
level.
B.1.1: Kick-off workshop Project plan for outcome Activity owner(s): NJJM Q3 2021
(virtual or physical) at B State government department
state/district level Large utility/PHED/MVS
DK partner: Embassy of
Denmark
B.1.2: Field visit(s) to Field report Activity owner(s): Large Q3-4 2021
State/District utility/PHED/MVS
DK partner: Danish Utility
B.1.3: Baseline study, Baseline study, including Activity owner(s): Large Q3-4 2021
including GAP analysis inventory of available utility/PHED/MVS
data and GAP analysis DK partner: Danish utility
B.1.4: Additional data Data report Activity owner(s): Large Q1 2022

collection utility/PHED/MVS
B.1.5: Reporting on Assessment report (work Activity owner(s): Large Q1-2 2022
energy consumption and study), including location utility/PHED/MVS
resource efficiency in specific DK partner: Danish utility
rural drinking water recommendations
supply
Output B.2: Identification of measures for Indicator: Identification of technological solutions
achieving energy optimization and resource and long-term planning approaches
efficiency in rural drinking water supply
B.2.1: Technological Presentations and Activity owner(s): Large Q2 2022
solutions, long-term technical notes utility/PHED/MVS
planning and /specifications DK partner: Danish utility
performance
benchmarking

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B.2.2: Water Challenges: Two Water Challenges, Lead/responsible: 2022-2023
the International
Water Association
Conference &
Exhibition 2022 in
Copenhagen, Denmark
Output B.3: Introduction of new technology Indicators: Feasibility study prepared. Resource-
through pilot project and cost-efficient tender specifications ensured.
Pilot project implemented
B.3.1: Feasibility study, Feasibility study Activity owner(s): Large Q2-3 2022
including financing utility/PHED/MVS
Denmark
B.3.2: Resource- and Report on suitable Activity owner(s): Large Q2-3 2022
cost-efficient tender tender specifications for utility/PHED/MVS
specifications pilot project DK partner: Danish utility
B.3.3: Pilot project Pilot project financed Activity owner(s): Large Q4 2022-23
implementation and implemented utility/PHED/MVS DK
partner: Relevant
stakeholders and technology
providers
Output B.4: Development of new systems and Indicators: On-site training sessions for utility staff
processes, capacity-building and international and management conducted and training manual
exposure for utility staff produced. Study trip(s) to Denmark completed and
learnings documented. Participation in DANIDA
Fellowship Centre water courses

B.4.1: On-site training of Training of staff to Activity owner(s): Large 2022-23
utility staff increase level of utility/PHED/MVS DK
knowledge and partner: Embassy of
organizational capacity Denmark
and training manual for Danish utility
replication and
dissemination
B.4.2: Study trip(s) to Compilation of study Activity owner(s): Ministry of Jal 2022-23
Denmark trip learnings relevant Shakti.
for JJM implementation Representatives from
and State/District/MVS
sustainable water DK partner: Danish utility
management

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B.4.3: Participation in Participants becoming Activity owner(s): Participant(s) 2021-23
DANIDA Fellowship agents for change in from large utility/PHED/MVS,
Centre (DFC) courses their home organizations Ministry of Jal Shakti or others
involving Danish DK partner: DFC
universities and utilities
Output B.5: Sharing and upscaling results and best Indicators: Results and best practices from
practices on energy optimization and resource outcome B shared and scaled up through NJJM.
efficiency of rural drinking water supply Connections made with other international and
Indo-Danish projects related to energy optimization
of drinking water supply
B.5.1: Knowledgesharing Events and Activity owner(s): NJJM 2021-23
of results and best communication materials DK partner: Embassy of
practices of activities on results and best Denmark
through outcome B as practices
well as policy measures
for scale up through
NJJM
B.5.2. Knowledgesharing Strengthening of the Activity owner(s): NJJM 2021-23
with existing and future cooperation through DK partner: Embassy of
international and Indo- cross learnings and Denmark
Danish projects knowledge-sharing with
relevant water related
projects.
OUTCOME C: By the end of the 3-year work plan, guidelines and/or technologies for appropriate and
affordable water treatment, including reject management of treatment systems and disinfection of
water, as well as grey water management have been introduced at one or several specific localities
defined by the cooperation partners
Output C.1: Mapping of water quality challenges Indicators: Kick-off workshop at State/District level
and current technology and processes in water held. Field visit(s) conducted. Baseline study
treatment and grey water management (work prepared. Additional data collection conducted.
study) Reporting on water quality challenges and
treatment, as well as grey water management, at
district and/or utility level
C.1.1. Kick-off workshop Project plan for outcome Activity owner(s): NJJM Q3 2021
(virtual or physical) at C State government department
state/district level Large utility/PHED/MVS
Denmark
C.1.2: Field visit(s) to Field report Activity owner(s): Large Q3-4 2021
State/District utility/PHED/MVS DK
partner: Knowledge
institution

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C.1.3: Baseline study, Baseline study, including Activity owner(s): Large Q3-4 2021
including GAP analysis inventory of utility/PHED/MVS
available data and GAP DK partner: Knowledge

analysis institution
C.1.4: Additional data Data report Activity owner(s): Large Q1 2022
collection utility/PHED/MVS DK
partner: Knowledge
institution
C.1.5: Reporting on Assessment report, Activity owner(s): Large Q4 2021
water quality challenges, including location utility/PHED/MVS DK
water treatment and specific partner: Knowledge
grey water management recommendations institution
Output C.2: Identification of measures for water Indicators: Identification of technological solutions.
treatment and greywater management Input to development of policy measures

C.2.1: Technological Presentations and Activity owner(s): Large Q2 2022
solutions technical notes utility/PHED/MVS DK
/specifications partner: Knowledge
institution
C.2.2: Water Challenges: Two Water Challenges, Lead/responsible: 2022-2023
the International
Water Association
Conference &
Exhibition 2022 in
Copenhagen, Denmark
Output C.3: Introduction of new technology Indicators: Feasibility study prepared. Resource and
through pilot project cost-efficient tender specifications ensured. Pilot
project implemented
C.3.1: Feasibility study, Feasibility study Activity owner(s): Large Q2-3 2022
including financing utility/PHED/MVS
Denmark
C.3.2: Resource- and Suitable tender Activity owner(s): Large Q2-3 2022
cost-efficient tender specifications for pilot utility/PHED/MVS
specifications project DK partner: Danish utility

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C.3.3: Pilot project Pilot project financed Activity owner(s): Large Q4 2022-23
implementation and implemented utility/PHED/MVS DK
partner: Relevant
stakeholders and technology
providers
Output C.4: Development of new systems and Indicators: On-site training sessions for utility staff
processes, and capacity-building and management conducted
C.4.1: On-site training of Training of staff to Activity owner(s): Large 2022-23
utility staff increase level of utility/PHED/MVS DK
knowledge and partner: Knowledge
organizational capacity institution
and training manual for Relevant stakeholders and
replication and technology providers
dissemination
Output C.5: Sharing and upscaling the findings Indicators: Results and best practices from outcome
and results on water treatment and grey water C shared and scaled up through NJJM. Connections
management made with other Indo-Danish
projects related to water treatment and greywater
management
C.5.1: Knowledge sharing Events and Activity owner(s): NJJM 2021-23
of results and best communication materials DK partner: Embassy of
practices of activities on results and best Denmark
through outcome C for practices
scale up through NJJM
C.5.2: Knowledgesharing Strengthening of the Activity owner(s): NJJM 2021-23

with existing and future cooperation through DK partner: Embassy of
international and Indo- cross learnings and Denmark
Danish projects knowledge-sharing with
relevant water related
projects.

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Annexure 2
Sustainable Water Supply Management
Study tour and fact-finding mission to Denmark

Indo-Danish Cooperation on Jal Jeevan Mission August 28th to September 1st 2023
Day 0 – Sunday August 27th 2023
Arrival Denmark – KL1345

New Delhi via Amsterdam.
Planned arrival Billund
12.50
After 12.50 Transport to hotel Aarhus Hotel:
(mission bus) Comwell Aarhus
Værkmestergade 2
8000 Aarhus
+45 8672 8000
Afternoon Own time
and evening
Day 1 – Monday August 28th 2023

Aarhus
9.30-10.30 Introduction of study tour and At hotel
factfinding mission programme
- Programme elements
- Alignment of expectations and
expected outputs
10.30-12 Aarhus Municipality: At hotel: Introduction to Aarhus Municipality
- Walk through central Aarhus
Walk/stroll from hotel along opened up stream
(‘Aarhus Å’) – approximately 1,5 km in total.
Pick-up by mission bus (approx. 12.00)

12-12.30 Transport (mission bus)
12.30-13.30 Lunch Cafe Europa, Karen Blixens Boulevard 7, 8220
Brabrand

-31-
13.30-14 Aarhus Municipality: Aarhus Municipality
- Integrated Water Resources Karen Blixens Boulevard 7, 8220
Management Brabrand
- Water supply regulation
14-14.30 Transport (mission bus)
14.30-16.30 Danish Industry – Water (DI-Vand) COWI (Aarhus office)
- A number of Indian delegates Jens Chr. Skous vej 9C
present challenges, innovations 8000 Århus C
etc of their state (up to 10
minutes each)
- Dialogue on challenges and
solutions with Danish
technology providers
16.30-17 Wrap up of todays learnings Same location (COWI)
17 Transport to hotel (mission bus)
Evening Own time
Day 2 Tuesday August 29th 2023
Aarhus
Before Check out hotel Luggage in mission bus
9.20
9.20 Meeting time in lobby
9.30-10 Transport to Aarhus Water (mission bus)
10-12 Aarhus Vand (’Aarhus Water’) Beder Water Treatment Plant
- Water utility management Skoleparken 3
- O&M, monitoring 8330 Beder
- Non-revenue water, - Asset
management - Etc. Then
Aarhus Vand
Hasselager Allé 29
8260 Aarhus Syd
12-12.30 Lunch Same location (Aarhus Vand)
12.30-13 Transport (mission bus)
13-15.30 Aarhus University (AU) Institut for Geoscience,
- Practical and theoretical Aarhus Universitet
demonstration of geophysical Høegh-Guldbergs Gade 2
groundwater mapping methods 8000 Aarhus C
- River rejuvenation, nature-based
solutions
15.30- Transport to hotel Odense (mission bus) - Hotel:

17.30 In bus: Wrap up of learnings Comwell H.C.Andersen
Claus Bergs Gade 7
5000 Odense
+45 6614 7800
Evening Own time

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Day 3 Wednesday August 30st 2023
Odense
Before Check out hotel Luggage in mission bus
9.20
9.30 Short walk (1200 m) to DEPA – or
mission bus
10-12 Danish Environmental Protection Agency Miljøstyrelsen
(DEPA) Tolderlundsvej 5
- What is DEPA? 5000 Odense
- European Water Directives
- National level Water Supply
Regulation
- National Groundwater Mapping
Programme
- A number of Indian delegates

present challenges, innovations
etc. of their state (up to 10
minutes each).
12-13 Lunch Same location (DEPA)

13-13.30 Transport to VCS (mission bus)
13.30- VCS (Water utility of Odense) Vandværksvej 7
15.30 - Energy efficiency, 5000 Odense
- Asset management,
- Short introduction to forestation Then
- Site visit, Bolbro Well field and
groundwater protection at Bolbro well field
surrounding Elmelund forestation Elmelundsvej
project
15.30- Transport to hotel Copenhagen (bus) - Hotel:
17.30 In bus: Wrap up of learnings Scandic Hotel Falkoner
Falkoner Alle 9
2000 Frederiksberg
+45 7242 5500
Evening Own time
Day 4 Thursday August 31st 2023

Copenhagen
9.30-10.30 Transport to Hillerød Utility (mission
bus)

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10.30-14 Hillerød Utility Frederiksgade Vandværk,
- Site visit, Frederiksgade Water Frederiksgade 14,
Utility 3400 Hillerød
- Municipal water supply
management then
- Sustainable water supply in an
area with growth Hillerød Forsyning
- Economic conditions Solrødgårds Allé 6
- Cooperation with municipalities 3400 Hillerød
and neighbors +45 48231000
- Site visit, Waste water treatment
plant
Approx. 12 Lunch Same location (Hillerød Forsyning)
14-15 Transport (mission bus)
15-16.30 Energy and Water Science Center, Roskildevej 211-213
Valby, Copenhagen 2500 Valby
- Education and utility awareness +45 3630 3606
in a sustainable city – tour
around education facilities
- Citizen involvement in climate
adaptation on private-public
roads
16.30-17 Wrap up of todays learnings Same location (EWSS)
17-17.30 Transport to hotel (mission bus)
17-30-19 Own time
19 Transport to restaurant (mission bus)
19.30- Mission dinner – payed by project Urten – Vegan restaurant
Larsbjørnsstræde 18 st 1454 København K

tlf – +45 33 14 95 15 Email
– [email protected]
www.urtenvegan.dk
xx.xx Own time/Public transportation back to
hotel (e.g. metro).
Day 5 Friday September 1st 2023

Copenhagen
9-9.30 Public transportation (e.g. metro).
Eventually a 45 min morning walk
through Copenhagen (earlier meeting
time)

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9.30-12 National Geological Survey of Denmark National Geological Survey of Denmark and
and Greenland (GEUS) Greenland (GEUS)
- Public databases to support Øster Voldgade 10
groundwater management and 1350 København
groundwater-based water supply
in Denmark.
- How to use models for
assessment and management of
sustainable groundwater
abstraction in Denmark.
Danish Environmental Data Portal

(DMP)
- Database structures,
standardization, responsibilities
and cooperation
12-13 Lunch Same location (GEUS)
13-14 Danish Water Regulatory Authority - Same location (GEUS)
- Benchmarking, tariff systems
etc.
14-15 Wrap up of weeks learnings Same location (GEUS)
Way forward
15 Own time/Walk or public

transportation back to hotel (e.g. metro)
Evening Own time

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–
Day 5+ – September 2nd 2023
Departure Denmark - KL 1126 to New Delhi via Amsterdam. Planned

departure Kastrup 9:25
36 | P a g e
Annexure 3
Individual Tour Reports
1. Shri Budithi Rajsekhar, Spl. Chief Secretary to Govt., Panchayati Raj and Rural
Development Department, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh
Study Tour to Denmark from Aug 28th to Sept 1st, 2023 – Lessons for India and Andhra
Pradesh
To borrow a phrase from a member of the delegation, Denmark is the gold-standard in many
aspects of governance including sustainable water management. The only country, I have
seen, that has no access control for a public transportation system like Metro. The entire
governance is designed on the concept of “faith”. We witnessed in 3 largest Danish cities the
safe and reliable water and wastewater services of a very high environmental standards. Our
experience corroborates the fact that the Danish water supply is the best in the world known
for its unusually high drinking water quality and supply reliability. A sticker in Aarhus Hotel
bathroom indicates tap water fit for drinking. Denmark has better tap water than bottled
water.
Denmark Drinking Water Policy & Regulation:
Having realized that the market failure is inevitable as water is a public good, Denmark
evolved a unique policy design wherein the water supply is mainly provided by a large number
of private water utilities owned by the Municipalities with a monopoly in the districts they
service but registered as non-profit limited companies. Consumers cover the full cost of
operating and maintaining the water and wastewater utilities. All costs pertaining to
construction, operation and maintenance of water utilities are recuperated through tariffs.
But to ensure protection to the consumers, all water utilities are subject to economic
regulation aimed at ensuring efficient operations to keep water prices from being higher than
necessary. The regulation takes the form of efficiency requirements for the utilities and are
implemented through revenue caps and economic benchmarking of the utilities costs. The
revenue caps indicate the revenues that the companies may generate through the price that
households and companies pay for water. The benchmarking is used to assess whether some
utilities have higher costs than other similar utilities and is used to establish the individual
efficiency requirements. The use of water is regulated through a system of permission. All use
of water (surface and groundwater) require permission from the Municipality.
100% of the drinking water is obtained from ground water and highest priority is accorded to
contamination prevention than to subsequent purification. Since 1987, domestic water
consumption decreased by 22% to 136 LPCD largely due to intensive water saving,
information campaigns and leakage reduction efforts.
Unique feature of Danish Drinking Water System: Non-revenue Water
Page | 37
Water loss is a waste of resources. Denmark has implemented systematic measures to reduce
the loss of drinking water as it makes its way from waterworks to the consumer. Water loss
in Denmark is 7.8% on average. In comparison, many countries, including India, lose as much
as 30 to 60% of their treated water before it reaches customers. They strongly believe that
this is not only an enormous waste of clean water but also a waste of the resources that have
been used to extract the water, treat it and distribute it. Using state of the art technologies
measure and register water data to quickly identify even the smallest pipeline leaks. Another
reason is that, since 1994, waterworks with a water loss of more than 10 % are levied penalty
fee. Furthermore, since 1996, all properties have been required to install water meters. This
has resulted in significantly more reliable data on which to base efforts to reduce water loss.
There is a close cooperation between the Universities, Research Institutes and the water
utilities. In addition, Danish research institutes work closely with private consultancy firms
and water utilities concerning the environmental effects of water resource development on
the hydrological cycle, thereby ensuring that management is based upon the latest research
findings and up to date scientific knowledge.
Danish wastewater policy aims to:
a) Minimize discharges of hazardous substances
b) Allow discharges of other substances provided the aquatic environment is not harmed
c) Protect the environment by imposing limits on discharges of organic matter, nitrogen
and phosphorus from major wastewater treatment plants that are tailored to the
pollution sensitivity of the recipient waters.
At present, 130 WWTPs larger than 15,000 PE and 30 plants larger than 100,000 PE treat more
than 90% of all Danish domestic wastewater. Most WWTPs are equipped with automatic 24-
hour SCADA systems to optimize the processes and reduce energy and other operating costs.
The visit to Hillerod WWTP, Denmark’s first fully covered WWTP, an engineering and
architecture marvel, gave a glimpse to the Denamrk’s vision of grouping water treatment,
climate adjustment, resource recycling and energy production in a future-proof and financially
sustainable solution.
Future Ready: PFAS – synthetically produced chemicals
More than 4,700 PFAS substances have been identified, all of which are very persistent in the
environment, and some are also suspected of being immunotoxic and carcinogenic. Denmark
identified the greatest threat to the quality of the drinking water from the main water utilities
is increasing contamination of the groundwater from intensive agricultural production (nitrate
and pesticides) and chemical waste depositories. Until now, water utilities have been able to
meet these contamination threats by relocating abstraction wells and reorganizing the
abstraction of groundwater. In the future, though, it is announced that priority will be
accorded to preventative efforts, so as to ensure that the Danish water supply can continue
to be based on pure, uncontaminated groundwater.
Lessons learnt and replication under JJM/state initiatives:
Page | 38
1. In India/AP extraction, treatment and supply of drinking water systems is mainly an
engineering work that is contracted out to an Engineering Firm and once
commissioned the SVS/MVS is handed over to the Panchayats and CPWS to Zilla
Parishads for maintenance under non-guaranteed budget heads with un-skilled
manpower and un-monitored and non-measured daily chlorination process. The
whole process results in supply of poor quality and sometimes polluted water resulting
in epidemics and high infant mortality. The concept of water utilities, tariffs, water
meters, SCADA etc that make Danish water systems the best in the world is something
to aspire for in the near future at least in India/AP. JJM has already seeded the first
step of FHTC with adequate quantity (55 lpcd) and prescribed quality (BIS: 10500).
Time to re-visit the entire supply chain processes to achieve this end. The Danish
model of monopoly water utilities owned by Municipalities is something akin to our
SPV model that is already utilized in setting up some of our successful Metro MRTS.
2. Biggest learning is the concept of Non-Revenue Water. When the consumer pays for
the water and the water utilities are non-profit subject to economic regulation then
water loss becomes so critical that it needs to be monitored throughout its journey
from the source to the consumer through the complex water treatment systems and
the main and secondary pipelines, most of which runs underground. Data on water
flow is so crucial that the water utilities and the Municipalities invest in technology
and innovate on measuring losses. Two District Metered Areas (DMA) in the
Copenhagen urban district Frederiksberg is now supplied with drinking water
controlled with Grundfos DDD – Demand Driven Distribution utilising advanced
technology and internet of things (IoT). Using hydraulic modelling the system is
designed to ensure the required pressure at all customers. The purpose of the new
‘pressure control station’ is to provide local pressure optimisation in the two DMAs
supplied directly from the pumping station. The pumping station is equipped with five
intelligent pumps from Grundfos with each a capacity of 45 cubic meters of water per
hour (45 m3/h). Anything free or almost free has no value. Even in India poor
households, particularly women, are willing to pay for quality water at their doorstep.
JJM is encouraging States to levy user charges and use it for maintenance. Once this
happens then optimisation of usage and minimising water-loss becomes everybody’s
concern.
3. In India/AP the standard designs for WTPs and SVS and CPWS, as prescribed by CPCB
are blindly executed without much emphasis given to the quality parameters of the
raw water available at the source and the geo-hydrological profile of the area. The
Engineering Dept claims to have done all the calculations but these are neither
available for public scrutiny nor third party professional evaluation. The standard
design even for a small SVS is the ubiquitous OHSR and the pipelines for supply by
gravity. It becomes very complicated for a MVS and CPWS and the cost of the project
goes up several times. The bigger the merrier, at least for some stakeholders. Again
the whole process is of planning and execution of an “engineering project”. Recent
field visits in AP encountered agitated queries from local leaders as to why OHSRs have
not been sanctioned to their villages and only FHTCs planned. Optimization is the
cornerstone of Danish water management. No OHSRs in Denmark. Direct pumping
from the WTP through local pressure optimisation. The Cost-Benefit analysis in the
Indian context is to be done but worth giving it a shot.
Page | 39
4. The Energy and Water Science Centre at Valby, Copenhagen offering hands-on and
experimental courses on energy and water production and supply, climate change and
climate adaptation to primary and secondary school children was an exhilarating
personal experience and offers unlimited and varied ways of creating awareness for
both children and adults on a public good like water. The BCC is an important
component of JJM and the Denmark model is worth trying out in all our Metros. The
low cost and adapted versions of the Valby Centre can be tried out in our districts.
5. The PFAS is going to be the buzzword in the coming days as the quality standards of
drinking water get updated globally. We are already seeing the effects of pollution of
inland fishing with high usage of anti-biotics on the ground water. Recently in Dec,
2020 there was an outbreak of a mysterious illness in Eluru and neighbouring villages
of WG Dt of AP linked to high pollution levels in Kolleru lake. More than 600 people
fell sick due to an undiagnosed illness. Experts from NIN found the presence of
herbicides in vegetables and the Experts from AIIMS confirmed Lead and Nickel in
blood samples. We need to be future ready. Denmark had announced ban of its use in
Fire Extinguishers from 2024. Already banned in paper and card food packaging since
2020. Denmark may show us the way.
6. Denmark is on the forefront of knowledge and technology in the water sector mainly
due to the active collaboration of the water utilities with Universities and Research
Institutions. We were given a practical demo of towed Transient Electro-Magnetic
(tTEM) system developed at the Hydro Geophysics Dept of Aarhus University for
detailed 3D geophysical and geological mapping of the shallow subsurface in a fast and
cost effective way. This is already being used by the Govt of Tamil Nadu. In AP under
YSR Jala kala scheme drill free borewells to eligible small and marginal farmers. The
existing methods of conducting ground water surveys are not very effective and
resulting in high number of failed borewells. The potential benefits of tTEM survey
looks encouraging. JJM may facilitate this through Danish Embassy.
Page | 40
2. Shri Dhirendra Kumar Tiwari, Principal Secretary, Department of Water Supply
and Sanitation, Govt. of Punjab
Report on Study Tour cum fact-finding trip to Denmark

As per the approval of the competent authority in the Department of Drinking Water
and Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India, I was part of a delegation for a
study tour –cum-fact finding trip to Denmark from 28-Aug-2023 to 01-Sep-2023. As per the
instructions, a report has been prepared by me. This study tour was as per the invitation
accorded by the Danish Environmental Protection Agency under the Danish Ministry of
Environment. The purpose of the study was: -
1) Observe and exchange solutions and experiences from Denmark, India and
international on the themes of sustainable water resources, water supply
distribution, and other topics of relevance to the Joint Work Plan on JJM and Joint
Action Plan under GSP.
2) Assess feasibility of solutions for India and consider implementation challenges.
3) Prepare a fact-finding report to implement learnings in support of JJM and GSP.
During the study tour Three cities of Denmark namely Aarhus, Odense and Copenhagen were
visited. Salient points for each city visits are as under: -
Day-1 & 2- Monday & Tuesday, August 28-29th 2023
City - Aarhus
On 1st day, a site visit to a stream flowing through Aarhus Municipality was done. The
project gave insight on the various stages of development of the natural stream. This stream
was initially a clean natural water source which got polluted by the discharge of city waste
water into it. After the rejuvenation project, now only clean water is flowing in the stream.
On both sides of this stream, various eating joints and places of tourist attractions have come
up. The maintenance is being borne by collecting charges from the people. Presentations by
delegates from Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and GOI on current situations and possibilities of
collaborations with Denmark Govt. in areas of interest were made. The officers of the Aarhus
Municipality and industry experts made their presentations whereby following important
points were elaborated: -
5. Water utility model was adopted by creating government and private partnership.
This model is on the basis of ‘No profit No Loss concept’.
6. User Charges are taken from the consumers and there are no government grants
for running this model. The working efficiency can be seen by the figure of non-
revenue water which is only 3.5%. Demonstration was given how in a locality
leakage detection is done and preventive measures are taken.
7. The delegates visited the Beder Water Treatment Plant, Aarhus where everyone
appreciated the level of hygiene and maintenance. There was another
presentation by Carlos Alberto Arias on nature based solutions for water
Page | 41
treatment. This plant is already working in Aligarh Muslim University, Uttar
Pradesh, India.
8. New technologies were discussed, which includes, (i) water discharge
measurement by a device outside the pipe, (ii) Software solutions to problems, (iii)
recycling water system for towns, (iv) waste to value etc.
Day-3- Wednesday August 30th 2023
City - Odense
The delegation visited the Danish Environmental Protection Agency where the
presentations on integrated water resources management, national water supply regulation
and national groundwater programme were discussed. The key points during the presentation
were the study of an underground startup, data analysis of a system of bore wells, as well as
impact of saline ocean water on the coastal areas. We visited a water utility of Odense which
is situated in an area surrounded by heavy forestation. The water utility in Denmark is keeping
the pump chamber over ground level for better accessibility and maintenance. The
forestation in the Bolgrow wellfield area has provided protection to the ground water from
the percolation of Industrial/Agricultural chemicals.
Indian delegates from other States made their presentations and useful discussions on
environmental issues were done.
Day-4 & 5- Thursday & Friday, 31st August & 01st Sep, 2023
City- Copenhagen
In the city of Copenhagen, the delegation visited Hillerod Water Utility. The following
observations were made with respect to Drinking Water Supply: -
5. The number of staff employed regularly is minimal. The water level in the Bore well
is constantly seen on computer monitor as the entire network of data collection is
fully automatic. The important point is that various municipalities help each other
by providing water from one area to another area and the concept of ‘No Profit
and No Loss’ is working very well.
6. It was a very good experience to see the covered Water Treatment Plant which is
first of its kind. Usually, the waste water treatment plants are designed in an open
area only but this waste water treatment plant having SCADA system not only
maintains automatic functioning but most of the treated water is used within the
plant and the dry waste is sent to Incinerator Plant.
7. The visit to energy and Water Science Centre, Copenhagen is a good modal for the
visits of young school children and educated youth so that they are properly
sensitized towards the usage of energy through various models and multimedia
presentations.
8. National Geological Survey of Denmark, Danish Water Regulatory Authority made
presentations to the delegations. The national geological survey of Denmark and
Greenland has done 100% digitization of data and database. They have developed
such modelling tools so that the latest data is not only captured but it also is being
Page | 42
used for correct decisions. The Danish Water Regulatory Authority takes care of
benchmarking and tariff systems of various water utilities in Denmark.
Take Away from the Study Tour
Various Municipal Committees and village Panchayats in India can improve overall
water supply systems by learning a lot from the best practices adopted in Denmark especially
relating to ground water-based water supply schemes. Some of the points are as under:-
1.Controlling the wastage of water is very important. In Denmark, non-revenue water in
almost all Municipalities is less than 5%. It is possible only through proper water meters as
well as for taking action if anybody waste water. If there is a leakage in the government
water supply network, then the water utility is made responsible and if any private consumer
has a leakage in his line, then he is made responsible and fine is imposed.
2.Denmark has deployed IT based system for management of its all assets which includes
pumping system, water supply lines, data management etc.
3.Public awareness is the key to success. Not only the young generation is providing
knowledge by visit to energy and water centre but it also involves citizens during the
planning and execution process. To satisfy a citizen that a project will not cost adverse
impact in his area, computer-based simulation models are being used.
4.Sustainability of water utility has been taken care and it is running on ‘No Profit No Loss’
basis. In India also, sustainability of operation and maintenance need to be taken care of.
5. Use of latest and developing technologies will be interesting in future. The technology of
water measurement by fitting a device from outside of the pipeline was interesting.
In addition to above, there were few learnings related to Waste Water Management and
Ground Water Management. These points are as under: -
1.The authority dealing with Waste Water management is entirely different than those
dealing with Drinking Water facilities. In Indian States, mostly one entity deals with Drinking
and Waste Water Management jointly. Denmark authorities told us that if waste water
management authority is entirely separate and independent, its working efficiency
improves.
2.On the front of declining ground water level, it is ensured that in the areas which are
especially considered to be deficient, the ground water extraction is limited to 33% of the
recharge. Therefore, in India also, we need to limit groundwater extraction w.r.t
groundwater recharge being done. This will provide an enabling environment towards rain
water conservation and recharging.
3.In Denmark, all companies involved in drilling the bore well are licensed and properly
monitored and their groundwater mapping and modelling system may be adopted by the
Central Ground Water Authority/State Ground Water Authority.
Submitted By
Dhirendra Kumar Tiwari
IAS
Delegate from Govt of Punjab
Page | 43
3. Shri Sushil Kumar Lohani, Principal Secretary, Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water
Department, Govt. of Odisha
Report on the study tour cum fact finding trip to Denmark
(Sushil Kumar Lohani, IAS, Principal Secy, PR & DW Deptt., Odisha)
At the outset I would like to express my gratitude to Department of Drinking water, Ministry of Jal
Jeevan Mission, Govt. of India for including me as a part of the Indian delegation which visited
Denmark for a study tour cum fact finding Mission from 28th Aug to 1st September ’23. The visit was
very well conceived and planned to give us exposure to various aspects of water management in
Denmark. It was an ideal mix of indoor interaction as well as field visits. It also provided an opportunity
to interact with the Senior officers of various organization including those from academic field. The
day wise summary of the visit is as follows:
Day 1
Our Denmark visit started with Aarhus city, one of the largest cities of Denmark, the visit started with
a one hour briefing in the hotel on the schedule of the 5-day tour. The participants shared their
expectation from the visit. It was also an ice breaking session for the delegates as many of them were
not know to each other. Thereafter, we had a walk along the Aarhus stream which was organized by
Aarhus Municipality. They explained the history of the stream and how the same was restored and
rejuvenated and now being protected.
We visited the Aarhus municipality office and interacted with officials concerned. They briefed us
about the Strategy being adopted by them on Integrated water resource management as well as on
the water supply regulations in force in the country. Thereafter, we interacted with the
representatives of COWI, a conglomerate of Danish industry, mostly Technology providers, shared the
challenges being faced by various states in India. They also presented their products and services which
may be useful in water management in India.
Day 2
The day started with a visit to the office of one of the main water utility in Aarhus, ‘Aarhus Vand’. We
had detailed presentation on Water utility management, O&M, monitoring of non-revenue water,
asset management etc. We got an overview of functioning of water utility, the structure of the
organization etc. It was no doubt an eye opener for all of us. Thereafter they took us to the water
treatment plant as well as the intake well points and explained their functioning.
In the afternoon, visited Aarhus University where we got a demonstration on geo-physical

groundwater mapping methods which was quite interesting. We had presentation on the theory
behind the methodology of ground water mapping. We also had presentation on their experiences
relating to nature-based solution to River rejuvenation by the Institute of Geoscience, University of
Aarhus. Departed for Odense city.
Day 3
At Odense, the day started with a visit to DEPA, Danish Environment Protection Agency. A series of
presentation on the functioning of DEPA, overview of various water related regulations, National
Groundwater mapping programme of Denmark etc. was made. Also had fruitful interaction with the
senior officials of DEPA.
Page | 44
Thereafter visited a water utility, VCS, water utility of Odense. It was again a very interesting visit. We
had a detailed interaction with their senior officers on functioning of the Utility, issues in O & M, energy
efficiency, asset management etc. We also had site visit to their intake well. We learnt about the
groundwater protection programme which the utility was implementing. We also visited the
protection site area. In the evening left for Copenhegen, the capital city. The day ended with a visit to
India House and a dinner cum interaction with the Indian Ambassador to Denmark at Copenhegen.
Day 4
The day started with a visit to a water utility, Hillerod Utility. We had site visit to the understand the
functioning of the utility, monitoring of ground water level on real time basis etc. We also visited
another water utility, namely, Frederiksgade water utility. We learnt about the functioning of the
utility, Municipal water supply management, sustainable water supply in an area with growth,
interaction with neighboring municipalities etc. We also visited their wastewater treatment plant
which was another interesting site.
In the afternoon visited an institution namely, Energy and Water Science Centre, Valby, Copenhegen.
This was the most interesting part of the visit as I had never seen a place like this. The Centre basically
is an educational and awareness Centre where, with the help of various audio-visual tools as well as
prototypes, explains various environment related challenges being faced by the planet earth and how
human being can make a difference in protection of the planet. Various water management related
practices have been demonstrated there with the help of prototypes. This is an educational place being
visited by school students as well as general public. A very useful model for awareness generation,
worth replicating in our country. In the evening attended a dinner hosted by the Danish host.
Day 5
Visited the office of National Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS). Had a series of
presentations made on various aspects like public database to support GW management and GW
based water supply in Denmark, sustained GW extraction, the management of Danish environment
database portal etc. We also interacted with the representatives of Danish Water Regulatory Authority
and learnt about the regulator aspect of utility management, their tariff fixation methodology,
benchmarking etc.
This was the last session of our official visit. We had a wrap up session in which the participants shared
their experiences, learnings as well as takeaways. We thanked the Danish Government, acknowledged
their co-operation which made the visit successful. We specifically placed on record the efforts put in
by Mr Philip Grinder Pederson from EPA, Denmark, Mr Casper as well as Mr Jai, both from Danish
Ambassy in India, who accompanied us throughout the tour and ensured that participants were never
put in any kind of inconvenience either logistically or during office visits etc.
Important takeaways from the tour

This was a very enriching visit with lot of learnings. The visit had been planned very meticulously as it
covered all aspects of water management. It had a right mix of indoor and outdoor activities. The
schedule also had a right combination of interaction with practitioners, academia, regulatory authority
as well as the technology provider industries. I would like to point out some of the important learnings
which can be adopted in Indian context with appropriate customization.
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Organising water supply agencies in the form of utilities – Drinking Water supply in most of the states
in India is currently being managed by the Government Departments. In order to ensure better
accountability, improved service delivery as well as to bring in more professionalism in this field, there
is a need to organize them in the form of water utilities on the pattern of electricity utilities. The size
of these utilities may vary depending upon local situation. Some of the single village or smaller water
supply projects can be handed over to the water franchisees who will supply water, collect revenues
as well as carry out O & M activities. The arrangement can be guided through a service agreement
with clearly laid down outcomes. We can borrow a lot of learnings in this regard from Electricity Sector
Reforms wherein electricity distribution utilities were set up.
Extensive use of technology in water supply management – Denmark has been making extensive use
of technology in monitoring water distribution which ensures detection of leakages, availability of
ground water as well as supply of good quality water. High quality of water pumps used by the utilities
also ensures zero maintenance requirement. These can be suitably adopted in India through local
partnership.
Dedicated National programme for ground water mapping – Denmark has a dedicated programme
for ground water mapping for the entire country. The details of the ground water availability are
available in the public domain for use by various agencies. We can adopt these practices in India. In
addition, there is a need to make public aware of the status of ground water, the reasons for depletion,
deterioration etc. and ways to control them. A massive public awareness programme in this regard
will be useful.
Setting up of state-of-the-art Water Science Centers at various locations: There is an urgent need of
setting up of state-of-the-art water science centers, one at the National level and at the state
headquarters to create awareness about the water related issues amongst the young generation.
Conducted tours can be organized to these centers which will also act as the hub of activities for
creation of awareness in this area through various channels.
Capacity building of technical staff: Regular regional conferences on various thematic areas which will
also act as the forum for sharing of success stories can be organized in which field level technical staff
can participate and learn from each other. Experts from various states/countries can be called to share
the successful models will give them appropriate exposure and help them improve technically. A
Central technical institute on water management can be set up which can organize various short-term
technical courses for the field engineers.
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4. Shri Surendra Gupta, Principal Secretary, Public Health Engineering Department,
Govt. of West Bengal
Feedback/Report on the Study tour and fact-finding trip to Denmark from 28.08.2023 to
01.09.2023 under the Green Strategic Partnership within the thematic area of Sustainable
Water Supply Management.
Overview:
Under the Green Strategic Partnership agreed by the Government of India and the
Government of Denmark, Sustainable Water Resource Management is one of the key focus
areas. As a part of this, a joint work plan and cooperation are agreed to support as well as
strengthen the Jal Jeevan Mission by the National Jal Jeevan Mission and the Danish
Environmental Protection Agency. The study tour and fact-finding trip to Denmark took place
from August 28th to September 1st, 2023. The objectives of the trip were as follows:
• Exchanging Ideas, solutions and experiences between Denmark and India under the
theme of Sustainable Water Resource Management
• Feasibility and practicality of implementation of challenges in India
• Preparation of a Fact-Finding report for implementation of learning in support of JJM
During the tour, the delegation visited Aarhus, Odense and Copenhagen. The delegation was
also taken to Aarhus Municipality, Aarhus University, the Danish Environmental Protection
Agency, the Energy and Water Science Centre and the National Geological Survey of Denmark
and Greenland (GEUS). The Delegation was also taken for site visits to water utilities at Aarhus
Vand, Beder Water Treatment Plant, Vandvaerksvej, Frederiksgade Vandvaerk. There were
presentations, interactive sessions,site visits, demonstrations, and inputs by experts.
Potential adoption of Best Practices in India and observations:
• Single Body Arrangement: The entire drinking water supply system in every
administrative unit (called Municipalities) in Denmark is based on ground water source
and is handled by a single agency responsible for everything related to water supply.
Starting from extraction, treatment, distribution, tariff collection, recharging of
source, and grey water management. This provides a single platform for all issues
related to drinking water. These agencies are directly under the control of
Municipalities. Same can be adopted in India using PPP mode, especially DBFOT with
rates fixed by the government and subsidies to be provided for BPL groups. Private
power utilities (for e.g., CESC in Kolkata, West Bengal) do work on their own and
operate models in most of the major cities in India. Same can be adopted for water
supply infrastructure for long term sustenance. Due to economies of scale, these
bodies are bound to have a profitable financial model even at lower tariffs.
• Long Term Planning based on reliable Data: The detailed long-term planning is on the
reliable data set which is based on groundwater and aquifer mapping with state-of-
the-art technology and equipment. This can be adopted in India to avoid multiple
efforts for the location of the groundwater sources. CGWB can partner up with
National Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland to map all underground water
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resources for effective execution and sustenance of water supply projects. This data
can be made available to all stake holders for maximising usage and improving
efficiency.
• Strong regulatory mechanism: Stringent measures for monitoring of all water
resources was very evident in all discussions and interactions with experts in Denmark.
In the Indian context it can be extended to surface water sources as well. Strong and
effective regulations with a complete ban on groundwater extraction except for
permission from government authorities would be important for sustenance of all
water sources. This in combination with hydro-geological mapping of underground
bodies can help in the creation of an “Inventory of underground water asserts.” For
surface water bodies designated extraction spots can be marked and monitored by
bodies like Central Water commission (CWC).
• User charges: Direct charging of supplied drinking water using water metering. It was
reported that in Denmark number of water connections have increased over time but
consumption of water has reduced/ optimised. Use of metering system and making
end users more accountable will reduce wastages to a significant level in Indian
context as well. An act for extraction and utilisation of water along with provisions of
charging for water usage, especially bulk water usage may help in optimum utilisation
of water. This act can cover timely payment of user charges, support regulations for
proper control of the distribution system, unregulated withdrawal, mismanagement
etc.
• Usage of Technologies like SCADA: There were no overhead reservoirs in Denmark.
All households are provided 24*7 water by maintaining required pressure. Pressure-
based monitoring and measures to prevent water theft and loss control have reduced
non-revenue / unaccounted water to an extent of 3-4%. High automation and
monitoring with 24*7 water supply has resulted in overall decrease in per capita
demand by 30% in last 40 years and the supply has stabilised at 100 LPCD. Such models
can be adopted on a pilot basis in Public Private Partnership mode in India to
understand translations in terms of cost implications and technology use.
• Usage of Nature-Based Solution: Focus on low-cost methods for the treatment of
wastewater in rural and urban areas. This will be extremely useful for adoption in
remote areas of West Bengal. Although the focus of this method would be for grey
water treatment rather than supply side. An arrangement for treating grey water and
further using the water for recharging could be developed.
• Emphasis on source sustainability: Denmark has a very comprehensive plan and
arrangement for maintaining all ground water resources. Land use around the
structures extracting water is strictly monitored to prevent contamination of sources.
Afforestation around the extraction wells and strict regulation of use of chemicals and
pesticides helps is sustaining the sources. Similar efforts can be adopted in the states
to maintain and sustain water sources.
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• Synergistic approach: In Denmark, multiple agencies work together to achieve a
common goal. Water is considered to be a common good. Although there is
departmental coordination between various agencies in India but in practice they
work in silos. A comprehensive inter-departmental coordination and cooperative
approach will help in achieving desired JJM goals. A single body responsible for all
issues related to water can be thought of for maintaining the assets created under
JJM.
• Using mass awareness for usage of water: IEC activities have ingrained the
importance of natural resources such as water, so water wastage has been
significantly reduced over a period in Denmark. A perfect example of this is the Energy
and Water Centre, in Copenhagen. This centre has been set up to spread awareness
amongst people, especially children by showing working models of the water cycle,
sewage water disposal, rainwater harvesting, natural drainage of water. Similar
centres can be established in all blocks and district headquarters in India to spread
awareness about water and optimal usage of water. Water as a subject can be part of
the school curriculum so that children can learn and understand importance of water
from a very young age.
Surendra Gupta
Principal Secretary, PHED
Government of West Bengal
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5. Shri Balkar Singh, Mission Director, UP Jal Nigam (Rural) and Secretary, Namami
Gange and Rural Water Supply Department, Govt. of Uttar Pradesh
Denmark Study Tour

rehabilitation in city, drinking water management, grey water management, sewerage
treatment plant and assessment of quality and quantity of ground and drinking water. There
is no separate village supply system but the whole country is covered for water supply through
98 municipalities. People are not allowed to dig the private borewells in the areas covered by
the water supply schemes but permit is granted by the municipalities for borewell to the
houses in the areas not covered by the municipality water supply scheme. The management
of drinking water supply is done through 200 water utilities and grey water management is
done through 100 utilities in the whole country. The water utilities have the monopoly over
water and work under the control of Municipalities. Water utilities are the private companies
and have some Directors nominated by the Municipalities. The utilities work on a business
model, but rates of water charges are approved by the Municipalities after examining all
issues of Operation & Maintenance and upgradation of water supply schemes for future
requirement. In addition to control and supervision of municipality on water utilities in their
day-to-day operations, there is regulatory authority for the whole country to ensure that
utilities have the revenue caps and work like a no profit no loss company. The regulatory
authority also ensures the competition amongst different water utilities and encourages the
innovation. The collection of water charges and grey water charges is also done by the utility
and every house has a metered connection. In fact, about 20 percent consumption of water
was reduced after installation of meters in the households. The water charges are also very
significant for the public varying from 2-5% of the income of the households and therefore
public has high motivation to reduce the monthly water bill. The people are encouraged to
use the rainwater for non-drinking purposes, but people are not allowed to do the recharge
of rainwater by themselves as any carelessness in that can contaminate the ground water.
Metering system encourages the consumers to use the rainwater for non-drinking purposes
so that monthly bill of drinking water and grey water management is reduced. The whole
country uses the ground water as a source and nowhere surface water is used as a source for
drinking. There is no microbial contamination of ground water in the whole country and
therefore there no requirement of chlorination of water at any stage in the drinking water
supply system. The whole water supply system is covered & automated and not exposed to
outside environment to avoid any contamination. There are only the provisions for aeration
and filtra on of water in water treatment plant. The areas near the water source i.e., tube well
is kept as protective zones to ensure that there is no contamination of fertilizers and
pesticides of ground water. If there are many sources in any area and supply is for the bigger
municipality then the size of protective zone is very large and regulation regarding use of
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fertilizers and pesticides are stricter. The issue of contamination is mainly related to pesticides
and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
The whole system of digging the tubewells, withdrawal of ground water and grey water
management is done through proper scientific assessment. The quality parameters are
assessed at each level, and they maintain the hygienic and sanitation standards considering
the water treatment plant and other components as a food unit. Their design period for
various drinking water supply schemes is 50-100 years. They have a very advanced
demonstration and learning center for awareness of public and children regarding water
quality, conservation, grey water management, climatic changes and sustainability at
Copenhagen.
We also had the opportunity to see the rehabilitation of river Aarhus and how they have
connected the river to city and improve the water quality of river, environment, aesthetic of
city, commercial ac vi es and livelihood in and around the river. In fact, Denmark is the only
foreign country that is signatory to Indian concept of River City Alliance launched by NMCG
and river Aarhus making it a good example of that concept. We had also visited the Sewerage
Treatment Plant in Copenhagen, where they are covering both the domes c and industrial
effluents in the same plant and this was also fully covered and with very good working
condition for the workers on the plant.
Although Denmark is a developed country and their investment is very high on the drinking
water schemes, grey water management and STPs but there is no grant from the Government
and all financial arrangements are done by the municipality and utilities through increasing
user charges and loans from banks. There is lot of emphasis on R&D and coordination with
private sector to use the findings for commercial purposes. The regulation is also very
effective, and public is also more aware about quality of water, environment, health and
sustainability of the resources. Therefore, considering the different agroclimatic condition,
governance system, social and economic conditions of our country, it is not possible and not
required to copy their system in India. Still, many things as explained below can be applied to
improve our system of drinking water, grey water management, improvement of quality of
river water and Sewerage Treatment Plants.
1. 100% of water metering of households in urban areas along with a slab system of user
charges to encourage the less consumption of water. Even the water charges and
collection efficiency of water should be improved. The provision to give permit for
private tube wells in ci es should be made stricter.
2. In addition to water charges for drinking water, there should be charges for the same
amount of water for grey water management. This will motivate and encourage the
public to use less water and harvest the rainwater and manage the grey water in a be
er way. This can be done by a policy at state level and implementing it through Urban
Local Bodies.
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3. As it will not be practical to use the metering system in villages at this stage, but
villagers also need to understand the value of water and use it judiciously, grey water
management and harvest the rainwater in villages and in fields. Therefore, fixing the
water user charges and efficient collection thereof, is must to ins l the sense of
responsibility regarding sustainability of quality and quantity of water.
4. As Gram Panchayats in UP have miserably failed in owning, opera ng and maintaining
the hitherto constructed and handed over water supply schemes to them, therefore it
will be better to do the O&M of water supply schemes for 10 years through the
companies, who have constructed the schemes. Jal Nigam Rural can run the other
schemes through competitively selected vendor. This will require the huge fund which
can be done par ally through state budget and par ally through deduction at State HQ
from the State & Central Finance Commission Fund. Then Gram Panchayats shall be
allowed, activated and incentivised for collection of user charges and involvement in
the management of the water supply schemes. They shall be allowed to use that
collected money for any purpose in the village as per the guidelines of State and Central
Finance Commission Fund. This system will ensure the proper utilisation of the huge
investments in Jal Jeevan Mission with li le more investment and Gram Panchayats will
also be interested in collecting the user charges as they can use that money for any
developmental work in the village.
5. We need to improve the hygiene and sanitation at the water supply scheme sites, in
schools, anganwadis and household in the villages.
6. The community in our country as such is better aware than Denmark to conserve the
water, grey water management and rainwater harvesting but somehow this is not done
scientifically and have the chances of ground water contamination. Therefore, we need
to improve the recharging mechanisms guided by technical experts, especially where
sub surface recharge is done, to avoid any contamination of ground water.
7. The Central and State Ground Water Authorities can use their technology for the better
assessment of ground water. The provisions to give permission to dig the borewells
especially for the bulk water users, water suppliers, hotels, industrial and commercial
establishments shall be made stricter and already existing norms shall be implemented
in letter and spirit. The norms for the agricultural borewells shall be made stringent
especially in the dark zones where irrigation facilities are arranged by the Government
through canal system.
8. Water testing through Labs and Field Travel Kits shall be further improved so that we
are able to supply the quality water to rural areas.
9. As we need more awareness of the public on quality of water, its impact on health,
sustainability of water, therefore in addition to other measures of awareness we shall
have one demonstration unit in each state where all aspects of water, its conservation,
pollution, reuse, recharge, treatment of sewer water, climatic changes and
sustainability of water can be demonstrated to children and public.
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10. The technology to use a single STP to treat domes c sewage and industrial effluent can
be very useful in Indian scenario as in most of the ci es we get mixed effluents. It will
be more convenient and save money.
11. The rehabilitation of river Aarhus can be used for meeting out the objectives of River
City Alliance being done by NMCG.
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6. Shri Kailash Karthik Natarajan, Mission Director, JJM, Public Health Engineer
Department, Govt. of Assam
Report of Study Tour and fact-finding trip to Denmark
August 28th to September 1st, 2023
Name of Officer: Kailash Karthik N, IAS
Designation: Mission Director, Jal Jeevan Mission, Assam
Tour Program: Broad Structure
Page | 54
The Tour Program to Denmark was very well structured, with interactions with officials of
the Ministry, Water Utilities, Muncipalities, Academia and Industry being part of the
schedule. Further, exposure visits to multiple cities, Treatment Plants and Utilities helped
understand the organizational structure, policy institutions and execution agencies
capacities very well.
A quick snapshot of the key places of visit is highlighted below:
• Day 1: Visit to Local Municipality: Understanding their Function

o Interaction with Industry
• Day 2: Understanding Water Utilities
o Site Visit, Presentation
o Interaction with Academia
• Day 3: Exposure to Environment Protection Agency
o Site Visit & Presentation of Utility
• Day 4: Water, Waste Water Utility Exposure
o Site Visit to Water Treatment Facility
o Site Visit: Waste Water Treatment
• Day 5: Ground Water Policy Organizations
o Presentation on Public Databases on Ground Water
o Water Regulator Presentation
Overview of the Water Supply Sector in Denmark
Danish water utility sector – provides 100% metered water for domestic, industrial and
irrigation needs.
Denmark has
a. 300 medium and large size Water utilities
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• 200 drinking water utilities – 60% owned by municipalities and 40% owned by
consumers’ group
• 100 waste water utilities, all owned by municipalities
b. 2,000 small, non-regulated consumer owned utilities
Price for the service utilities vary due to
• Hydro-geology,
• HH density,
• Special needs
Water tariffs are set by companies and approved by municipalities and efficiency
requirements are set by using benchmarking techniques.
Revenue cap on the water utilities has Financial basis (Opex & Capex) which is increased by
inflation factor and additional costs regarding new tasks but reduced by efficiency
requirements, settled at an equilibrium.
Key Observations
1. Clear Policy Framework
Denmark has clearly laid out a very tightly coordinated Policy Framework on Drinking Water
Access, Abstraction, Management of Resources, and Supervision of Resources among other
things. The tasks of the various levels of Government & Water Agencies – European Union,
National Government, State Departments, Municipalities and Water Utilities – are clearly
enumerated, which ensures there is ‘role clarity’ among the various institutions, necessary
continued line of funding leading to ‘institution building’ and creation of transferable
‘knowledge assets’ which are relevant to the situation on ground.
The table below highlights the tasks of the various levels of the Government with regards to
Water Supply:
Administrative level Inhabitants Main tasks within water supply
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European Union 450 million Drinking Water Directive, Water Frame
Directive, Nitrate Directive, Environmental
Impact Assessment
Danish Parliament 5.5 million Legislation: Water Supply Act & Ministerial orders,
River Basin Management Plans, Mapping of
Groundwater Resources
5 Regions 0.6- 1.8 M Mapping & Remediation of contaminated sites
98 Municipalities 5000- 0.6 M Water Supply Planning, Ressource Management,
Licensing water abstraction, Supervision of drinking
water, Groundwater protection
Further, as per the Water Supply Act of Denmark, Groundwater is considered as a common
economic good and it is mandatory to obtain a license to abstract water.
For any abstraction of Ground Water, Municipality is the licensing authority and the
applicant for a license must describe the possible impacts on the surroundings (e.g. other
abstractions, wet nature and streams) and these impacts set the limits for drawdown.
Further, at the National & Municipal Planning levels, clear long term plans of management
of River Basins, Waste Water Plans, Ground Water Protection Plans & Water Supply Plans
are made which dictate the activities on the same. The chart below highlights the same:
2. Strong Institutions working on various aspects of Water Supply
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The Geological Survey of Denmark & Greenland (GEUS), is a research and advisory
institution in the Danish Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities and has been long set up as
a National Geological Datacentre, which among other things maintains the core data on
Water.
As highlighted above, the legislation on licensed extraction of water is driving the dataflow
in the country, and it is mandatory to report to GEUS any sort of drilling/bore activities.
This has led to the development of the Jupiter - National well database Wells, geology,
“paper archive”, groundwater and drinking water GERDA - National Geophysical database
In Denmark,
• All Drilling companies must report to GEUS about New boreholes, Closed boreholes,
Lithology etc.
• All Municipalities must report to GEUS about the Waterworks and their status and
permits
• All Laboratories must report to GEUS about the Ground water analysis data &
Drinking water analysis data
• All the Waterworks must report to GEUS their use of boreholes
• Further, any reports concerning hydrological investigations carried out by any agency
must be reported to GEUS
• In addition to this, voluntary reporting is encouraged so that the common database
gets strengthened
The collection of the data has led to the development of rich Geological and hydrogeological
models on Water Flow, Vulnerability Assessments etc. Like GPS led to a flurry of innovations
around location data, this is akin to the ‘GPS’ of Water, and has helped the various
stakeholders like Industry, Researchers, Students, Private Citizens, Municipalities, Start-ups,
Policy Makers, Legislators etc. to leverage and build multiple utilities, applications using this
data.
Some of the images of the screenshots of the various kinds of reports are highlighted below:
Exhibit 1: Wells Database & Data from Lithologs
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Exhibit 2: Classification of Wells on the basis of Nitrate presence
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Exhibit 3: Vulnerability of Wells on the basis of Water Flow
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3. Institutional memory
Institutions have invested heavily in digitisation, and digitalization of processes,

outcomes and assets which has led to strong record keeping and institutional memory of
the data/ task.
A case in point is represented below, about how the approved Building Plans of
individual houses of 1950s are maintained in a digitized and easily retrievable format by
Copenhagen Municipality.
4. Collaboration between State, Market & Academia
It is seen that the Government-Academia-Industry collaboration is fairly well established

which leads to a virtuous cycle where problems faced by the Public Sector are
researched upon by the Universities and the Minimum Viable Product is then scaled up
by the Industry as a Commercial solution for further implementation and exploitation.
A case in point is the development of Geophysical water search techniques by Aarhus

University, on the basis of needs of the Water Utilities of Denmark, which has now
translated into commercial companies delivering services for not just Denmark but also
exploiting its commercial potential outside the country.
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A sample image of the T-TEM is placed below:
Further, it is also seen that most of the Water Utilities, even though structured as a Not-for
Profit, also intend to commercialize exploit their expertise in international markets in
partnership with private sector companies. This helps them in not just earning additional
income which can keep the consumer water supply costs lower, but also continuously
pushes these utilities to remain on the technology & efficiency frontier curve.
An example of that vision is highlighted below from the Aarhus Water Utility
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5. Use of economic principles to nudge utility, consumer behavior
Denmark Parliament enacted the The Water Sector Law, which has “Corporatized” the
Water Sector as Water Utilities, and has ring-fenced their funding and operations, ensuring a
long-term perspective. Further, since the Water sector is a natural monopoly and to prevent
profit seeking behaviour, the Water Utilities are set-up as Non-Profit entities who have to
redeploy profits as capital back into the Water Utilities.
As per the law, Municipalities cannot interfere in daily operations or strategic decisions of
the Water Utilities and utilities can decide their price-levels but with the approval of the
regulator
Further, Denmark has set-up the Danish Water Regulatory Authority as a part of The Danish
Competition and Consumer Authority, which is responsible for the economic regulation of
the Danish water sector. Further, to ensure that the Water Utilities operate on the Efficiency
Frontier, the Water Regulatory Authority through the use of economic principles
⚫ Contributes to an artificial competitive pressure in the sector, which contributes to

efficient operation, lower prices and more innovation
⚫ Initiated the process of performance benchmarking of the various Water Utilities,

which has led to every company having an incentive to be as effective as other
companies
⚫ Benchmarking companies of different sizes is done by levelling them on Capex and

Opex criteria
⚫ Revenue caps are gradually reduced until the revenue is sufficient to cover efficient
costs
⚫ Water regulation meets the need for (1) resilience {environmental, climatic, political
and economic}, (2) source sustainability, (3) affordability for the service
⚫ Despite increasing investments in the water sector, the prices have been stable for
last 10 years
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The regulator assures of:
⚫ Transparency – regulatory actions need to be consistent and fair
⚫ Translation – the need to simplify the language of regulation in order to understand

what is being done
⚫ Trust – the need to ensure that the regulations being formulated are for the benefit
of the people and the environmen
The benefits of the same is passed on to the consumer as lower costs, and it is seen that
while there is substantial variation in the costs of water between utilities based on
Differences in geology, ground water resource, local needs for adaption to climate change,
population density, and company efficiency, the average cost of Water is between 1.5-2% of
the Annual Income, which is lower than the ideal cost benchmark set by European Union.
6. Thinking & building for the long term
All Institutions – Ministry, Technical Agencies, Utilities etc. – have a medium term and long-
term assessment of the Water Supply situation, and prepare plans to meet that future.
Municipalities have a 7-year Water Supply Plan which describes the future need for drinking
water based on the Municipal Master Development Plan. This plan defines the tools to the
administration of the water supply act and has been developed in close cooperation with
the water supply utilities.
Further, they also carry out studies for the long-term and evaluate their responses to meet
that future and take necessary corrective action.
A case in point is the prognosis made by Aarhus Municipality about the demand for water,
which is also calibrated by the understanding of which economic nudge has led to what
impact in the consumption of water.
Individual
metering
Green tax
Tax on NRW
Page | 64
Likewise, as can be seen from the chart below from the Hillerod Water Utility, the utility
based on the long-term assessment, has initiated water infrastructure works to improve the
ability to service.
7. Strong Community Involvement & Engaging students at a young age
Denmark has strong grassroots democracy and a culture of citizen led decision making which
is also reflected in some of the choices made by the agencies in the Water Sector – whether
it is collection of Water Quality data from citizens, or whether it is the self-reporting of the
water meter data by the consumers themselves, or the citizen connect-living labs being
created across the country for Water and other services.
One such organization that is involved in the task of Community Awareness and engagement
is the ENERGY & WATER Science Center which offers hands-on and experimental courses on
energy and water production and supply, climate change and climate adaptation to primary
and early secondary school classes. Some representative images from the centre is
highlighted below:
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Possible Next Steps
Denmark is a leader in the Water Sector and while the context of human development,
economic levels and scale differ hugely between Denmark and India, many principles and
building blocks are relevant and can be taken forward.
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In a limited way, Assam will initiate and translate some of the relevant observations in the
State over the next 6-12 months, including the establishing a Cell for Benchmarking the
Performance of Water User Committees, Mapping of DTWs, Lithologs, Aquifers, and setting
up of WASH Community Centres at the State/ District levels.
However, it is felt that the visit to Denmark should be followed up with a Fact Finding &
Benchmark Study by a mix of Danish, Indian experts to the Assam/other Indian States,
leading to a Vision, Strategic Roadmap for each State. Translation of this vision will need
Technical Assistance of countries or agencies like World Bank which can help build our
institutions and their capacities over the next 3-5 years.
And given the sizes of the Indian States, complexities therein and the amount of investments
being made in the Water Sector under Jal Jeevan Mission, it is felt that each State should
partner with a Water Sector leader nation like Denmark etc. to better understand the
journey made by these countries and help leapfrog the institution building process by a few
decades, much like Jal Jeevan Mission has short-circuited the problem of Access to Water by
a few decades.
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7. Shri Manish Ranjan, Secretary & Mission Director, JJM, Drinking Water and
Sanitation Department, Govt. of Jharkhand
Report of delegation from India on

Study tour & FACT-FINDING trip to
Denmark
2023
Page | 68
A United Vision for Water: The India-Denmark Green Strategic
Partnership
Within the framework of the Green Strategic Partnership (GSP) between India and Denmark,
there exists a deep, mutual resolve to elevate Sustainable Water Resource Management. To
transform this shared vision into actionable change, India's Jal Jeevan Mission and Denmark's
Environmental Protection Agency have partnered to craft a focused Joint Action Plan for the
years 2021-2026.
More than just ink on paper and planned strategies, this alliance symbolizes the strength
of global collaboration. United, they craft a story of resolve, dedication, and cross-border
cooperation, all converging on the singular mission to protect our invaluable water resources.
From August 28th to September 1st, 2023, a select delegation embarked on an

enlightening study-tour and fact-finding trip to Denmark. This journey was fuelled by a trio of
critical objectives:
a. Firstly, to foster a reciprocal exchange of ideas, solutions, and wisdom between

Denmark and India, focusing intently on the linchpin issue of Sustainable Water Resource
Management, water supply distribution, and other topics.
b. Secondly, to evaluate the practicality and feasibility of addressing India's unique water
resource challenges, leveraging Danish expertise and insights.
c. Finally, to assemble an incisive fact-finding report, laying the foundation for the
practical application of the knowledge and insights garnered, all in service to fortifying India's
Jal Jeevan Mission while strengthening GSP.
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During the course of this study-trip, the delegation journeyed through the cultural and
academic nerve centers of Denmark, including the cities of Aarhus, Odense, and Copenhagen.
The itinerary featured visits to a variety of distinguished institutions and landmarks. Among
these were the Aarhus Municipality, Aarhus University, the Danish Environmental Protection
Agency, and the Energy and Water Science Centre. Additionally, the group had the honour of
touring the prestigious National Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS).
To gain a comprehensive understanding of water management practices, the delegation

also immersed themselves in the day-to-day operations of key water utilities. This included
insightful tours of Aarhus Vand, Beder Water Treatment Plant, Vandvaerksvej, and
Frederiksgade Vandvaerk. Through these hands-on experiences, the delegation was able to
grasp the practical aspects of water management, thereby enriching their understanding and
enhancing the mission's objectives. The tour was punctuated with enlightening presentations,
interactive dialogues, expert-led site visits, live demonstrations, and invaluable insights from
domain experts.
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Chapter 1: Denmark's Water Pricing Dynamics
Introduction:
In Denmark, water is an essential resource whose pricing is influenced by a blend of
regional and operational factors. Understanding this multifaceted pricing structure is critical
for both consumers and policymakers. This chapter delves into an analytical overview of
Denmark's water pricing, highlighting the differences across regions, tracing the historical
evolution of pricing frameworks, identifying the reasons for price variations, and detailing the
core components that constitute the final cost.
1.1 Regional Pricing Differences: The cost of water in Denmark does not follow a uniform
standard across its entirety. Geographical attributes of particular regions, the diversity inherent
in consumer categories and their
respective consumption patterns,
as well as the necessary
investments in water infrastructure
and services, play significant roles
in determining pricing. For
example, data from 2021 reveals
that a household in Denmark,
averaging 2.12 members and
consuming 105 liters per person daily, typically incurred a charge of €9.85/m3. However, these
rates demonstrated flexibility based on household structures, with individual households
potentially paying up to €11.06/m3, while larger families might only be charged €8.84/m3.
Furthermore, it is pertinent to note a 1.3% rise in these rates from the prior year.
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1.2 Historical Context of Pricing:
Denmark's trajectory in water
pricing and the strategies underpinning
it have evolved through various
significant legislative measures and
strategic determinations. Some key
milestones include the 1987
introduction of the Action Plan for the
Aquatic Environment I, the 1993
imposition of a tax on tap water, the 1996 establishment of wastewater taxes, the emission-
targeted Action Plans spanning 1998-2004, the pivotal municipal reform of 2007 that initiated
utility mergers, the 2009 Danish Water Sector Reform Act, and the 2011 introduction of the
drinking water charge. It is also essential to consider the diverse landscape of Denmark's water
service providers. With the presence of over 2,500 water utilities and 98 wastewater utilities,
the specific cost often hinges on the individual water company. These prices encapsulate
services ranging from groundwater protection to intricate wastewater management.
1.3 Factors Affecting Price Fluctuations:

Water pricing disparities across Denmark can be attributed to a confluence of variables.
These include the distinct profiles of consumers and their associated demands, challenges in
water extraction owing to geological factors, the geographical distribution of consumers and
the subsequent infrastructure implications, variations in groundwater conditions and quality,
the emphasis placed on groundwater protection by different entities, and the distinct wastewater
treatment protocols and scales. Other influencing elements encompass the age and condition of
existing infrastructure, demanding periodic
maintenance, and the varied service levels as
determined by individual municipalities and water
companies.
1.4 Breakdown of the Water Bill:

The culmination of a consumer's water bill
in Denmark stems from several components.
These encompass fixed charges allocated for
drinking water, charges proportionate to drinking
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water consumption, fixed fees for wastewater services, charges in line with wastewater
production volumes, and supplementary charges, including VAT and other governmental
levies. Collectively, this ensemble of factors establishes the overall water expenditure for
Denmark's consumers.
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Chapter 2: Water Industry in Denmark
Overview:
In Denmark, the water industry primarily operates on the foundation of the break-even
principle. This principle ensures that a water company's revenue remains congruent with its
expenditure over a designated time frame. As the industry is completely funded by tariffs, it
implies that every facet of a water company's operation, right from daily functionalities to
significant capital investments, falls on the consumers' shoulders.
Yet, in alignment with Denmark's broader ambitions of socio-economic growth,

pushing the boundaries of innovation, and steadfastly championing sustainable energy
practices, water companies are endowed with the latitude to reap a circumscribed profit. This
is achieved through the sale of specialized services, by-products, and energy. Such profit-driven
endeavours, however, are conditioned by the stipulation that they remain intimately intertwined
with the company's foundational responsibilities—delivering drinking water and handling
wastewater services.
2.1 Economic Framework of Danish Water Companies:

Within the Danish contours, water, and wastewater entities, by their structural nature,
are characterized as monopolies. Recognizing the inherent challenges monopolies can pose,
stringent regulatory measures have been instituted to emulate the dynamics of competitive
marketplaces. Consequently, companies managing water volumes that eclipse the threshold of
200,000 m^3 annually, coupled with those under municipal ownership, are subject to financial
regulations.
Should a scenario arise wherein a company's costs overshadow its revenue, it retains
the autonomy to pursue loans, primarily to cater to infrastructure-centric requirements.
However, it's crucial to underline the unique fiscal landscape governing municipal entities.
They operate within the confines of the "overdraft facility rule", which renders the prospect of
procuring operational loans a rarity. This landscape implies that the capital requirements of the
Danish water sector, especially concerning operational aspects, considerably eclipse those
sectors operating outside this regulatory sphere.
Embedded within this economic narrative is a suite of growth metrics. These metrics
envelop both drinking water and wastewater entities that operate under the Danish Water Sector
Reform Act and deal with a billed water volume that surpasses the 800,000 m^3 mark annually.
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An integral part of their operational assessment involves TOTEX benchmarking. This rigorous
analytical exercise scrutinizes the cost-effectiveness of these companies. If discrepancies
emerge, wherein a company's gross revenue significantly overshadows its efficient operational
costs, then efficiency requirements might be imposed. The benchmarking process meticulously
contrasts the firm's factual expenditures (defined as FATO, encapsulating tangible operational,
infrastructure, and financial burdens) with their stipulated TOTEX net volume benchmarks
(integrating both OPEX and CAPEX net volume determinations).
2.2 Energy and Climate Neutrality by 2030:

Circling back to 2015, the global community witnessed the momentous signing of the
Paris Agreement. Denmark, resonating with 194 fellow UN member states, pledged allegiance
to a unified cause—mitigating the repercussions of climate change. This national commitment
crystallized into an audacious vision of achieving a 70% reduction in CO2 emissions by the
close of 2030.
In tandem with this national aspiration, Denmark's water sector, invigorated by

directives from the 2020 Climate Action Plan, has set its sights on realizing energy and climate
neutrality within the same timeframe. Informing this monumental goal is an intricate tapestry
of projections and assessments. Water companies, through detailed analyses, have forecasted
their energy consumption patterns, treatment volumes, and emission trajectories for the next
decade and a half.
Amidst this ambitious backdrop, while waterworks platforms stand out as beacons of
energy conservation and generation, the drinking water segments and transportation
infrastructures grapple with challenges. Their operational spectrum largely hinges on
maximizing energy savings, with the realm of production offering limited avenues.
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Chapter 3: Development towards Separate Sewage Systems
Overview:
The contemporary evolution in wastewater management techniques in Denmark is
gravitating towards the establishment of separate sewage systems. Although a proportion of
companies continue to depend on combined systems—integrating wastewater with rainwater—
the merits of segregated systems are acquiring heightened acknowledgment. Transitioning to
separate systems is, however, fraught with its complexities. The journey is resource-intensive,
necessitating considerable financial investment and temporal commitment. Such an endeavour
has ramifications for public infrastructure and imposes a fiscal burden on the community.
3.1 Discharge of Treated Wastewater from Treatment Plants:

Annually, Denmark’s expansive network of approximately 700 wastewater treatment
plants process a staggering 600–800 million m3 of wastewater. Through their sophisticated
mechanisms, they manage to eradicate nearly 90% of the nitrogen and phosphorus content
before the water is harmoniously re-integrated into the natural ecosystem. Motivated by their
intrinsic standards of excellence and an unwavering focus on environmental conservation,
many Danish treatment plants often surpass regulatory benchmarks. Their treatment processes
are so refined that the discharged water often contains less than half the legally permissible
phosphorus and stays below 70% of the allowed nitrogen threshold.
3.2 Outflows of Rainwater:
In the realms of distinct sewer systems, rainwater is meticulously separated from

wastewater. It is systematically directed from rooftops, plazas, and thoroughfares into
specialized stormwater conduits, which eventually culminate into aquatic zones. Prior to this
merger with larger water bodies, rainwater undergoes a purification process in stormwater
basins. These infrastructural marvels not only temper the water flow but also play a pivotal role
in capturing particulate matter and oily residues. Although the nutrient imprint of stormwater
is relatively negligible, these basins, apart from their core functionality, often morph into
recreational hubs, enhancing the aesthetic appeal and usability of their immediate environment.
3.3 Overflow from Combined Sewer Systems:

The historical blueprint of sewer systems predominantly featured a mono-channel
architecture, designed to ferry both wastewater and stormwater towards treatment plants. Yet,
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under the duress of heavy precipitation, these combined frameworks might falter. To
circumvent this, they have been fortified with overflow safeguards. Essentially, these are relief
valves that reroute surplus water into natural reservoirs, thus preventing potential inundation of
residential precincts. The vanguard runoff, colloquially termed the "first flush", is notorious for
its elevated pollutant content. However, once this is addressed, subsequent precipitation-related
inflow, if beyond the system's carrying capacity, activates overflow structures. These
structures, with their integrated grating, sieve out large debris. This diluted wastewater,
mechanically refined, manifests nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations significantly reduced
from conventional household wastewater metrics.
Even the strategically placed pumping stations boast emergency overflow systems to
combat any unforeseen pump failure. These fail-safe mechanisms, though vital, are seldom
triggered.
3.4 Bypass Mechanisms at Treatment Plants:

Treatment facilities are meticulously designed to process a definitive volume of water
to ensure optimal waste management. Surpassing this benchmark can inadvertently result in
the ejection of active biological sludge into natural reservoirs—an antithesis to the facility's
primary objective. Anticipating such contingencies, plants are equipped with upstream
overflow structures or bypass conduits in sensitive zones like aeration tanks. Occasionally,
during short-lived maintenance cycles for core pumping conduits, wastewater enterprises might
resort to procuring permits for transitory wastewater discharges into natural habitats.
Nevertheless, this water is usually subjected to preliminary mechanical refinement. Resorting
to such direct discharges is an exceptional measure, and its occurrence has seen a diminishing
trend in recent history.
Denmark’s allegiance to the 1987 Action Plan for the Aquatic Environment I heralded
a transformative epoch in wastewater treatment infrastructural upgrades. The overarching
ambition was the augmented extraction of nitrogen and phosphorus before integrating treated
water back into natural habitats. The ensuing decade bore testimony to the efficacy of these
initiatives. Between 1989 and 1998, there was a remarkable decline in pollutant discharge:
organic matter plummeted by 90%, nitrogen by 71%, and phosphorus witnessed a drastic
reduction of 87%.
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.5 Stormwater Outlet Dynamics:
Stormwater outlets are pivotal in managing the discharge from both combined sewers
and distinct sewerage systems. While the discharge of stormwater is a routine affair, intensified
by regular precipitation, it is during torrential downpours, when the sewage framework is
stretched to its limits, that overflow structures of combined sewers are mobilized. These
structural interventions are quintessential in ensuring that the system remains resilient,
forestalling potential backflows and associated complications.
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Chapter 4: Key Figures of Danish Water Services (2021)
Overview:
The Danish water sector, given its efficiency-driven orientation, is characterized by a
comprehensive framework of metrics that quantify performance across various spectrums. As
of 2021, the key figures depict a detailed snapshot of the economic, consumption, and
environmental aspects of water services in Denmark.
4.1 Water Cost & Consumption:

In Denmark, the price tag attached to water remains economical. Specifically, for every
½ liter of water, the cost to the consumer is a mere 0.5 cent. Concurrently, household water
consumption patterns reveal that, on average, each Dane utilizes 105 liters of water daily. Such
data provides a transparent overview of water affordability and usage behaviors in the country.
4.2 Operational Expenses & Investments:

Drilling deeper into the operational economics of the sector, drinking water companies
report an average operating expenditure of €0.65 per m3 of water sold. Their investment
strategy, meanwhile, commands an allocation of €0.95 per m3 sold. Wastewater companies,
with their more intricate treatment and management processes, register slightly higher costs.
Their operational expenses average out at €1.53 per m3 sold, and the investment expenditure
rises to €2.92 per m3 sold.
4.3 Electricity Consumption:

Electricity, an integral component of the water treatment and delivery process, incurs
specific consumption metrics. To pump and deliver 1,000 liters of water, companies utilize
0.41 kWh of energy. The subsequent phases of treatment, purification, and drainage command
an additional electricity consumption of 1.39 kWh. Hence, the cumulative electricity footprint
for processing 1,000 liters of water is 1.80 kWh. However, water companies, in their stride
towards sustainability, have embarked on producing electricity in-house. Factoring in this self-
generation, the net electricity consumption is pegged at 1.53 kWh for every 1,000 liters.
4.4 Annual Family Water Usage & Carbon Footprint:

Zooming out to assess the water consumption patterns of an archetypical Danish family,
which comprises 2.12 members, the annual water usage is quantified at 81.34 m3. Given the
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electricity consumption rates associated with water processing, this annual family consumption
directly relates to an environmental footprint. More explicitly, this consumption pattern
translates into greenhouse gas emissions approximating 14.7 kg of CO2 annually. This metric
underscores the environmental stewardship the water sector aims to champion, balancing
service provision with carbon responsibility.
Summary:
In summation, the 2021 metrics for Danish water services offer a holistic perspective
on the sector's operations. With water priced at 0.5 cent per half-liter and an average daily
consumption rate of 105 liters per person, the figures exemplify both affordability and
sustainability. While operational expenses and investments vary between drinking and
wastewater companies, the overall commitment to efficiency and environmental responsibility
remains evident. The sector's electricity consumption and the resultant carbon footprint further
highlight the ongoing endeavours to balance service quality with environmental imperatives.
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Chapter 5: Proactive Approaches to Water Management in Denmark
Overview:
Denmark, given its climate vulnerabilities and groundwater reliance, has always been
at the forefront of innovative water management techniques. This chapter examines the
multifaceted strategies, from urban rainwater management to sophisticated groundwater
database systems, highlighting the country's comprehensive and collaborative approach to
ensure water sustainability.
5.1 The City of Copenhagen Cloudburst Management Plan 2012

Recognizing the perils of climate change-
induced extreme rainfall events, Copenhagen initiated
the Cloudburst Management Plan. Anchored by an
investment of DKK 3.8 billion, this plan aims to shield
Copenhagen from once-in-a-century rainfalls,
especially considering the staggering damages of
previous rainfalls. Prioritizing urban spaces, blue-
Copenhagen’s Flow Routes During Cloudburst:
green infrastructures will be employed for rainwater Entire Water Flow leading to the Sea
drainage, while densely populated areas will witness

the inception of subterranean tunnels. With an envisaged timeline of two decades, the project
emphasizes collaborative efforts and invites residents to actively engage in flood mitigation.
The quest for efficient financing remains challenged by current legislative structures,
necessitating public-private partnerships and potential legislative reforms.
5.2 Groundwater Management and Public Databases in Denmark

Denmark's groundwater management boasts a meticulously designed framework of data
collection, ensuring a unified and robust data source for groundwater-related insights.
5.2.1 Legislative Drivers of Data Flow:

Drilling Companies: Provide information about boreholes and geological data.
Municipalities: Share operational data of waterworks and related permits.
Laboratories: Contribute groundwater and drinking water analysis data.
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Waterworks: Report borehole usage.
Hydrological Investigations:
All relevant studies and
findings are incorporated.
5.2.2 Groundwater Data

Lifecycle in Society:
From sampling to
political decision-making,
Denmark has a structured
process that ensures data-driven
groundwater management. The cycle starts with standardized sampling, followed by chemical
analysis, data integration in JUPITER, interpreted by GEUS scientists, then translated into
actionable political decisions and finally administered by local municipalities.
5.3 PC-GERDA Database:

A cornerstone in Denmark's
groundwater data system, the PC-
GERDA database offers exhaustive
data sets ranging from geophysical
data to quality control parameters and
processed models, ensuring that all
facets of groundwater management are
catered to with utmost precision.
5.4 Evolution of Denmark's Groundwater Database System: Denmark's commitment

to structured groundwater data management has
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a rich history. Initiated with a well record archive in 1926, the country transitioned to a more
organized punch card system by 1975. The technological strides in the late 20th century saw
the emergence of ZEUS in 1984 and the more efficient 'Jupiter' database in 1998. By 2007, a
consolidated national database was formed, blending geology, groundwater, and drinking water
data, symbolizing Denmark's comprehensive approach.
5.5 Water Conservation in Frederiksberg, Copenhagen:

Frederiksberg, being a distinctive part of the greater Copenhagen area, has pioneered
water conservation initiatives. The collaborative efforts between residents and water service
providers have championed technologies like Grundfos DDD, underlining the importance of
efficient water utilization. This system, backed by IoT, uses hydraulic simulations to ensure
optimal water pressure. With sophisticated pressure adjustment facilities and cutting-edge
pump systems, Frederiksberg stands as a testament to Denmark's commitment to water
conservation.
Summary:
Denmark's water management strategies, as illustrated in this chapter, encapsulate a
holistic, technology-driven, and collaborative approach. From urban rainwater management in
Copenhagen to the comprehensive groundwater database systems, the nation's efforts are
reflective of its dedication to ensuring water security and sustainability. The integration of
technology, like the Grundfos DDD in Frederiksberg, further emphasizes the proactive and
innovative spirit of Denmark in addressing water-related challenges.
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Chapter 6: Optimized Operation of Drinking Water in Denmark
Overview:
From 1999 to 2015, Denmark embarked on a transformative journey to elevate the
standards of its drinking water management. This period marked an era of strategic planning
and meticulous execution, with Denmark pivoting towards identifying and fortifying its water
resources. With a balanced combination of ground-level initiatives and data-driven strategies,
Denmark not only addressed its immediate water needs but also laid down the foundation for
sustainable water management in the years to follow.
6.1 The Groundwater Program:

A cornerstone of Denmark's water enhancement endeavours was the Groundwater
Program. This program was primarily dedicated to collating a wealth of data related to
groundwater. It included a comprehensive study of geological factors, consistent monitoring of
water levels, in-depth analysis of water quality, and the collection of relevant geophysical data.
6.2 Geological and Hydrological Insights:

The data thus assembled was processed to
facilitate advanced geological modelling,
offering crucial insights into the nation's
hydrological landscape. These models played
a pivotal role in subsequent hydrological
explorations which comprised extensive
vulnerability assessments, precise
groundwater mapping, and the demarcation
of regions specifically tailored for
groundwater preservation.
6.3 Using Models for Groundwater Management in Denmark:

Modelling emerged as a significant tool in Denmark's quest for efficient groundwater
management. The models, while providing an intricate assessment of water resources, also
bridged the gap between theoretical strategies and actionable plans. The "DK-Model,"
pioneered by GEUS in 1996, epitomizes Denmark's commitment to this data-driven approach.
Charting the evolution of this model provides a comprehensive view of how it has been
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continually refined to encapsulate both natural and anthropogenic influences on water
resources.
Summary:
The period between 1999 and 2015
stands as a testament to Denmark's
proactive approach in optimizing its
drinking water operations. By integrating
practical ground initiatives with
sophisticated modelling tools, Denmark
has not only fortified its current water
sources but has also ensured that future
generations inherit a robust and sustainable
water management system. The
comprehensive strategies employed during
these years, ranging from the meticulous
Groundwater Program to the evolution of the DK-Model, illuminate Denmark's unwavering
commitment to preserving its most invaluable resource: water.
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Chapter 7: Case Illustrations, EU Compliances and Other Initiatives
Overview:
This chapter delves into the tangible applications of Denmark's commitment to water
resource management, environmental conservation, and adherence to European regulations. It
provides illustrative cases of sustainable practices, highlights Denmark's conformity with the
European Water Framework Directive (EWFD), and details specific projects showcasing
proactive groundwater protection and afforestation efforts.
7.1 Hillerød Utilities: Sustainable Practices in Wastewater Management

Located in Hillerød, this wastewater
treatment facility epitomizes the integration
of innovation with sustainability.
Championing the "waste-as-resource"
principle, it reimagines waste byproducts into
valuable resources. From community
engagement to a harmonious architectural
design, Hillerød Utilities underscores the
importance of holistic and community-oriented wastewater management, with aspirations of
net-positive energy and carbon neutrality.
7.2 Denmark's Application of the European Water Framework Directive

Denmark has showcased steadfast dedication to the goals of the EWFD, which seeks to
uphold the quality of various water bodies across member countries. Through systematic
planning, rigorous monitoring, and active public participation, Denmark has not only adhered
to the Directive's guidelines but has also ensured that its vast array of water bodies, including
2,050 groundwater sources, meet EU standards. This commitment encompasses both
qualitative and quantitative assessments, supplemented by transparency and public awareness
initiatives.
7.3 VCS Denmark-Groundwater

VCS Denmark, a significant stakeholder in Denmark's water management landscape,
focuses predominantly on groundwater for its drinking water supply. With the extraction
process relying on various wellfields and bore wells, VCS faces challenges due to the aquifers'
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vulnerability to pollution. The organization has identified diverse pollutants, from
anthropogenic chemicals to naturally occurring elements, that pose a potential risk to the
groundwater quality.
7.4 Elmelund Afforestation Initiative

A hallmark of collaborative environmental effort, the Elmelund afforestation project,
embodies the synergy between different entities. A joint venture between VCS Denmark,
Odense Municipality, and The Nature Agency, this initiative underscores the significance of
afforestation in safeguarding groundwater sources. Spanning over a vast expanse, this project
not only adds to the green cover but also stands as a protective barrier for a pivotal well field,
cementing its stature as one of Denmark's unparalleled groundwater conservation efforts.
Summary:
Denmark’s approach to water management is comprehensive, adhering to both local
and European standards. The case of Hillerød Utilities demonstrates how technological
innovation can be coupled with sustainability. Denmark's commitment to the European Water
Framework Directive showcases its broader responsibility towards achieving water
sustainability at a continental level. Organizations like VCS Denmark and initiatives such as
the Elmelund afforestation project underscore Denmark’s commitment to sustainable water
management practices. Collectively, these efforts highlight the robustness of Denmark's
strategies in addressing both current and future water management challenges.
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Chapter 8: Getting Data and Digitalization Right
Overview:
In the age of digital transformation, data has emerged as a pivotal asset for sectors across
the board. The water management sector in Denmark is no exception. This chapter delves into
how Denmark is harnessing the power of data and digital tools to revamp its water management
practices, encompassing everything from quality monitoring to legal frameworks and future
challenges.
8.1 Danish Environmental Portal:

Acting as a centralized platform, the Danish Environmental Portal boasts 26 proprietary
systems and houses both contemporary and ongoing projects such as 'VanDa', 'PULS', and
'KAMP', all backed by distinct budget allocations.
8.2 Data Utility:

The age of data sees its utilization in innovative manners. Yet, for holistic problem-
solving, especially those pertaining to planetary boundaries, it's vital for this data to be
interconnected.
8.3 National Water Quality Monitoring:

This initiative is all about precision, focusing on the strategic placement of loggers in
rivers, aiding in accurate flood prediction and modeling.
8.4 Data Model & Ecosystem:

Embracing IoT, Denmark has a meticulous data-model for logger data, especially
concerning water levels and flows. The Water Data Ecosystem's value chain prioritizes data's
findability, accessibility, interoperability, and utility.
8.5 Digitalization in the Danish Water Sector:

Digital transformation has supercharged the water sector with improved efficiency,
comprehension, automation, and the integration of AI. The sector's evolution is evident with
the inception of innovative solutions, strategic partnerships, and role realignments.
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8.6 Water Management:
Groundwater remains paramount, accounting for 99% and benefitting from both
rudimentary treatments and sophisticated mapping. The commendable 7% national average for
non-revenue water showcases the prowess in water supply. Digital interventions have further
enhanced water quality, leak mitigation, and resource recovery.
8.7 Performance and Framework:

Benchmarking stands central to the Danish water sector, covering operational costs,
investments, and asset management. The post-2010 Water Sector Law lays emphasis on long-
term planning, financial prudence, and empowering utilities in pricing and investment
decisions.
8.8 Digital Twins and Innovation:

The advent of digital twins promises value creation for both utilities and end-users.
Furthermore, innovation remains a cornerstone, bolstered by national and European
collaborations.
8.9 Future Outlook & Challenges:

The vision for 2030 encompasses regulatory norms, novel digital instruments, and
tackling challenges like water contaminants, adapting to climate change, and mitigating
construction emissions. While collaborations hold promise, selecting apt partners and resource
allocation pose their own set of challenges.
8.10 Soft and IT Infrastructure:

Standardization, data-sharing protocols, and aligning with international benchmarks
take center stage. However, the realm of IT projects carries inherent risks, necessitating cost
vigilance, modular project approaches, and complexity reduction.
8.11 Data Perspective & Partnerships:

From a data vantage point, forging agreements and partnerships are quintessential.
Emphasis lies on governance, decision-making, infrastructure (both hard and soft), and
licensing rights.
Summary:
Denmark's journey in the digitalization of its water sector portrays a blend of vision
and practicality. By intertwining data, technology, and management practices, Denmark is
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paving the way for a future where water resources are managed with precision, efficiency,
and sustainability. This chapter elucidates how data, when harnessed correctly, can
revolutionize traditional sectors, offering insights, solutions, and improvements that
previously remained untapped.
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Chapter 9: Geophysical Water Search Using TEM
Overview:
Geophysical methods, with a particular focus on the Transient Electromagnetic (TEM)
method, have paved the way for sophisticated groundwater exploration. This chapter
illuminates the intricacies of TEM methodologies, from the core components and data
acquisition strategies to inversion protocols and practical applications.
9.1 Core Components:

At its core, the TEM method is a product of
extensive R&D in Electromagnetic (EM)
techniques. Rigorous field protocols and
systematic data assimilation serve to translate
raw data into useful hydrogeological models
that blend electromagnetic and hydrological
insights.
9.2 Deciphering the TEM Process:

TEM relies on a synchronized transmitter and receiver to induce primary and secondary
magnetic fields in the subsurface. This enables the extraction of vital parameters like resistivity,
which can further provide insights into sedimentary composition, interstitial water properties,
and potential contaminants.
9.3 Time Domain Transient Electromagnetic (t-TEM) Methodology:
The t-TEM domain enriches the TEM methodology by offering three-dimensional

resistivity models, comprehensive hydrogeological blueprints, and projections of possible
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contaminant pathways. A juxtaposition of s-TEM and t-TEM adds depth to the understanding
of these methods.
9.4 The Nuances of Voltage Data Refinement:

Data integrity is crucial; hence voltage data undergoes rigorous refinement to filter out
noise and extraneous elements. This results in pristine inversion outputs that accurately reflect
the geological landscape. Specialists are key to interpreting and isolating different categories
of noise effectively.
9.5 TEM Inversion Protocols:

A methodical approach to inverse modeling helps in generating two-dimensional
geological cross-sections and resistivity contours. These are vital for understanding
groundwater conductivity and are typically validated via boreholes.
9.6 Lessons Garnered:

The TEM method embodies the synergy between technology and geophysical acumen,
rendering it an indispensable tool in groundwater exploration. Yet, the success of the method
also depends on complementary ground-truthing techniques like borehole measurements for
verification and accuracy.
Summary:
TEM methods provide an unprecedented lens through which to explore, understand,
and manage underground water resources. Whether it's the extraction of complex resistivity
data or the refinement of voltage signals, each step in the TEM process serves a crucial role in
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generating reliable and actionable insights into groundwater dynamics. While technology offers
a highly nuanced tool in the form of TEM, the empirical validation through ground-truthing
methods remains essential for its broader applicability and trustworthiness. This chapter serves
as a comprehensive guide for anyone keen on understanding the intersection of geophysical
methods and water resource management.
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Chapter 10: The Economic Regulation of the Danish Water Sector
Overview:
Denmark's water utility management offers a robust template for balancing the
economic intricacies of running efficient water utilities, with a keen focus on service quality
and affordability. At the heart of this system lies the revenue cap mechanism, supported by
benchmarking practices to drive efficiency and foster a competitive spirit among companies.
10.1 Intricacies of the Revenue Cap System:

Denmark's revenue cap system is both complex and well-thought-out. Its dual objective
aims at ensuring customers have access to pure water at fair prices, while also ensuring water
companies remain financially viable. With adjustable parameters like inflation and new
responsibilities, this system demands consistent efficiency from the companies.
10.2 Tangible Benefits of this System:

The fruits of this stringent regulatory system are evident. Without these checks and
balances, consumers would likely have faced significantly higher charges. The quality of
drinking water remains uncompromised, testifying to the effectiveness of this economic
regulation.
10.3 Addressing Global Water Challenges:

The global landscape is fraught with challenges, from climate change to the necessity
for sustainable practices. Yet, despite the rising investments in water infrastructure, Denmark
has managed to keep its water tariffs stable over the years, demonstrating resilience and
forward-thinking.
10.4 The Role of Benchmarking:

In the absence of traditional competition, benchmarking introduces a competitive
essence among water companies. By continually measuring themselves against industry best
practices, these non-profit companies can ensure that their efficiency gains are passed directly
to consumers.
10.5 Benchmarking in Practice:

Implementing benchmarking poses its own set of challenges, primary among them
being the fair comparison of diverse companies. By taking into account both tangible assets
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and day-to-day operations, the Danish system provides a comprehensive overview of a
company's performance.
Summary:
Denmark's approach to the economic regulation of its water sector is a testament to the
potential of well-implemented economic strategies in delivering public goods. Through the
astute application of revenue caps and benchmarking practices, Denmark ensures that its
citizens receive high-quality water services at reasonable prices. This system serves as a shining
example for nations worldwide, demonstrating the potential of economic regulations in
safeguarding essential resources while maintaining quality and affordability.
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Chapter 11: The Danish Structural Framework for Water Management
Overview:
The Danish water management system is an intricate web of responsibilities and
regulations, designed to ensure quality, affordability, and sustainability. With the Ministry of
Environment and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) leading the way at the national
level, regional governments and municipalities each play crucial roles in specific areas of water
management. Various types of water suppliers exist to cater to different needs, all within a
carefully regulated framework.
11.1 Types of Water Suppliers in Denmark:

In Denmark, water suppliers are mainly divided into common and small suppliers. The
common suppliers, a mix of municipally-owned and privately-owned entities, service multiple
properties. In contrast, small suppliers often provide water to individual households or small
clusters. Specialized wells also exist to serve agriculture, fish farming, and industrial sectors.
11.2 Danish Regulatory Framework for Water:

The Danish regulatory framework is comprehensive, including laws such as the Water
Supply Act, the Environmental Protection Act, and the Water Sector Act. These laws govern
various aspects of water management, from planning and permits to pricing and quality
standards.
11.3 Water Supply Act and Its Administration:

Administering the Water Supply Act
involves a multi-faceted approach that
includes ensuring water availability,
catering to the diverse needs of the
population and industries, and
environmental protection. Every
municipality in Denmark has its own
Water Supply Plan, which outlines
current and future water requirements,
supply areas, and expansion plans.
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11.4 Quality Standards and Control:
Quality control in Denmark is stringent, with standards differing based on the intended
use of water. Control programs monitor both tap water and raw water, and when any issues
arise, immediate corrective actions are mandated. The onus for maintaining water quality
primarily falls on water suppliers, with municipalities serving as the supervisory bodies.
11.5 Pricing Structures and Benchmarking:

The Water Taxation Act, the Water Supply Act, and the Water Sector Act together form
the backbone of Denmark's pricing structure. Taxes are levied per cubic meter of water used,
and pricing is regulated to ensure fairness and efficiency, facilitated by benchmarking methods.
Summary:
Denmark's structural framework for water management exemplifies a balanced and
integrated approach. From precise legislation to various types of water suppliers to rigorous
quality control and pricing structures, the Danish model is intricate yet effective. It achieves
the critical goals of providing high-quality water, keeping it affordable, and ensuring the long-
term sustainability of water resources.
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Chapter 12: Groundwater Protection Strategies
Overview:
Denmark's commitment to preserving its groundwater resources is evident in its
comprehensive protection measures. The nation distinguishes between general protective
methods, which encompass broader strategies, and targeted ones, which zoom into specific,
sensitive areas. Through a meticulous system of checks and balances, Denmark strives to
ensure water quality and the sustainable use of its invaluable groundwater resources.
12.1 Water Quality Assessment and Control:

In Denmark, the quality of drinking water isn't left to chance. Governed by the national
Drinking Water order, there are stringent rules in place. The protocols for water quality control
vary depending on the scale of the supply, but for larger supplies, the assessment is rigorous,
examining various chemical and microbiological components to ensure consumer safety.
12.2 Legislative Strategy for Chemical Inclusion:

Chemical safety is a cornerstone of Denmark's groundwater protection strategy. The
chain strategy model focuses on ensuring the right substances make their way into the Drinking
Water order. By doing this, the nation adopts a knowledge-driven approach, allowing informed
decisions in subsequent stages of water treatment and delivery.
12.3 Analytical Quality Assurance:

Quality assurance in water analysis is pivotal. With the Ministerial order on quality
requirements for environmental measurements, Denmark has a robust system in place. This
order ensures that only accredited laboratories handle water sampling and analysis, prescribing
specific sampling techniques and dictating the analytical methodologies to use. It also sets
quality benchmarks for the analyses, ensuring reliability and accuracy.
Summary:
Groundwater is a treasured resource, and Denmark's multi-faceted approach to its
protection reflects its importance. From meticulous quality checks to legislative strategies and
analytical assurances, every stage is designed with precision. The result is a nation that not only
values its groundwater but also takes proactive steps to ensure its conservation and quality for
generations to come.
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Chapter 13: Management of Water Supply in the Municipality of
Aarhus
Overview:
The Municipality of Aarhus serves as a microcosm of Denmark's broader water
management efforts, highlighting effective local implementation of national policies. Aarhus's
approach to water management aligns with Denmark's commitment to natural resource
preservation, focusing on legal frameworks, land-use planning, conservation innovations, and
financial governance.
13.1 Licensing and Allocation Hierarchy

In Aarhus, any entity or individual looking to abstract groundwater must obtain a license
from the Municipality. The act of drawing water is regulated by a set of carefully thought-out
rules that protect groundwater reserves. A tiered system prioritizes public water supply,
conservation, and lastly, industrial and irrigation needs, ensuring that essential needs are met
first.
13.2 Water Cycle and Planning

Aarhus receives an annual precipitation of 785 mm and undergoes evaporation of 595
mm. With a groundwater recharge rate of 50% and an abstraction rate of 40%, it has a complex
water cycle that demands meticulous planning. From River Basin Management Plans at the
national level to various municipal blueprints like the Water Supply Plan, Aarhus's water
strategy is well-defined.
13.3 Diverse Water Utilities

Denmark, with its 2,500 water utilities, serves an incredibly diverse range of consumers.
The Water Supply Plan for 2016-2023 in Aarhus draws heavily from the Municipal Master
Development Plan, providing a holistic framework for water management that covers
everything from abstraction to delivery.
13.4 Future Projections

Estimations for Aarhus in 2050 indicate an annual drinking water requirement of 25 million
m³. However, due to increased sustainability awareness, actual water consumption rates have
been dropping, signalling a positive trend.
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13.5 Innovation and Quality Assurance
Aarhus's dual-pipe system stands as a testimony to its commitment to innovation in
water management. This system repurposes drainage and surface water for non-potable needs
while maintaining high quality standards.
13.6 Pesticide Contamination Challenges

A major issue affecting groundwater quality is pesticide leaching. With pesticides found
in 55% of wells and nearly one-third exceeding safety thresholds, various countermeasures
such as bans and voluntary agreements are in place to tackle this problem.
13.7 Financial Governance

Water utilities in Aarhus operate as natural monopolies, adhering to a principle of self-
sustenance. This ensures that consumer charges are directly tied to operational costs,
maintaining financial integrity and accountability.
Summary:
The Municipality of Aarhus exemplifies how a localized approach can effectively
implement broader national objectives for water management. From conservation efforts and
quality assurance to meticulous planning and financial transparency, Aarhus provides valuable
insights into effective municipal water management. Despite challenges like pesticide
contamination, the city is making strides in maintaining its water quality and moving towards
a sustainable future.
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Chapter 14: Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) and Their Role in River Rejuvenation
Overview:
As the world grapples with climate change and water scarcity, Nature-Based Solutions
(NBS) offer a sustainable path forward. Mimicking natural processes to enhance water
availability and quality, NBS presents multi-pronged strategies for environmental rejuvenation
and river restoration.
14.1 Strategies for Intervention

Several NBS techniques contribute to river rejuvenation. For example, channel re-
naturalization has been successfully employed in Munich's Isar River, while green pavements
in Portland, Oregon, aid stormwater management. Cities like Seoul have created floodable
parks for dual recreational and environmental benefits. Rain gardens, water retention ponds,
and urban catchment forestry are also among these ecological solutions.
14.2 A Multifaceted Natural Infrastructure

NBS encompasses more than water management. It also includes urban forestry,
aquaculture, and advanced farming techniques like hydroponics and aquaponics. Treatment
wetlands and waste stabilization ponds serve as effective mediums for water treatment and
recovery.
14.3 The Significance of Urban Green Spaces

Urban green spaces are key elements in the NBS framework. Cities like New York and
Berlin have led the way with Central Park and expansive green corridors respectively. These
spaces offer residents not just recreational but also ecological benefits.
14.4 Innovations in Vertical Greening

Beyond horizontal green spaces, vertical greening systems offer another dimension in
urban greening. Green facades in buildings like Singapore’s Oasia Hotel Downtown and green
roofs in Toronto are examples of this innovative approach.
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14.5 Prioritizing Rainwater Management
Effective rainwater management is crucial. From infiltration basins in Tucson to
rainwater harvesting in India, these strategies focus on groundwater replenishment and flood
mitigation.
14.6 The Core of River Restoration

River restoration lies at the heart of NBS. Techniques include the development of
floodplains and features like oxbow lakes, which were implemented in the restoration of
Florida’s Kissimmee River and London’s Thames.
14.7 Harnessing Soil and Water Bioengineering

Bioengineering techniques for soil reinforcement and erosion control offer essential
benefits for environmental stability. Examples include practices in landslide-prone areas in
Switzerland and parts of California.
14.8 Collaborative Endeavours: EU-India Cooperation

The European Union and India have joined forces in the NBS arena. Backed by the
Aarhus University and India's Department of Science and Technology, their collaborations, like
the PAVITR (Potential and Validation of Sustainable Natural & Advance Technologies for
Water & Wastewater Treatment, Monitoring and Safe Water Reuse in India) initiative, focus
on sustainable solutions for water treatment, rejuvenation, and ecosystem restoration.
Conclusion
Nature-Based Solutions represent a holistic and sustainable approach to tackling
environmental challenges. Through global collaborations and technological advancements,
NBS unites human ingenuity with the wisdom of nature, promising a more sustainable future
for all.
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Chapter 15: COWI Consultancy Services
Overview:
COWI, a leading consultant firm, focuses on sustainable water management solutions,
particularly in light of urbanization and climate change. Their services span from water sector
development to climate adaptation, integrating modern technology for enhanced outcomes.
15.1 Key Projects Undertaken by COWI

Town of Nye, Aarhus, Denmark:
A sustainable urban development initiative where rainwater is harvested for reuse, aiming at
conserving millions of liters of drinking water yearly.
Lisbjerg Urban Development:
One of Denmark's most ambitious urban projects, emphasizing holistic planning, collaboration,
and expertise integration.
Dewatering and Geophysics in Kalvebod Brygge:
A project focused on groundwater management for the construction of a new office building to
accommodate various agencies.
Posten Project, Copenhagen:
Transforming a former mail terminal into a sustainable urban space with integrated flood
defences and aiming for high sustainability standards.
Svanemøllen Cloudburst Tunnel:
A pivotal project in response to a 2011 flood, aiming to improve Copenhagen's flood

management strategy.
Climate Change Adaptation in Copenhagen:
A project to enhance Copenhagen's resilience against climate threats by finding solutions to

socio-economic challenges.
Sustainability Through Slag Concrete:
COWI's innovative approach of using slag concrete for stormwater infrastructure due to its
environmental benefits.
Urban Development in Copenhagen:
With rapid urbanization, this project ensures sustainable and planned expansion for the city.
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Digitalization in Urban Water Drainage:
Highlighting the integration of modern technology, COWI has adopted 3D designs and
animations to enhance project results.
Conclusion:
COWI's involvement in a diverse range of projects reflects their dedication to
sustainable development and water management. Their holistic approach and innovative
solutions aim to pave the way for a resilient future, emphasizing community welfare and
proactive problem-solving.
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Chapter 16: Conclusion and Summary
Overview:
The delegation's trip to Denmark was an enlightening journey that served as a blueprint
for India's Jal Jeevan Mission. Denmark's progressive and effective water management policies
demonstrated the power of multi-tier governance, community involvement, and technology in
ensuring water security and quality.
Governance Structures
Denmark's governance model highlighted the balance of power and responsibilities
among the State, regional governments, and municipalities. Each tier has a unique role in
legislation, planning, and quality assurance, all cohesively working under broader frameworks
like the Water Supply Act, Environmental Protection Act, and Water Sector Act.
Utility Framework
The utility model in Denmark, comprising both municipality-owned and consumer-
owned entities, offers a unique blend of operational autonomy and financial constraints. The
case study of VCS is an excellent example of how to achieve both efficiency and sustainability.
Water Quality Monitoring

Denmark has set rigorous standards for water quality monitoring, segmented by the
number of households served. Accredited labs and stringent protocols ensure water safety from
source to tap.
Community Participation and Awareness

A culture of awareness and responsibility pervades Denmark's water management
approach. Their focus on education and community participation is an excellent takeaway for
India's Jal Jeevan Mission.
Research and Development

Denmark's commitment to continual research ensures that their water quality
parameters and monitoring techniques stay at the cutting edge. This focus on R&D offers a
model for how Jal Jeevan Mission can continue to evolve.
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Public-Private Participation
Denmark's model of shared ownership between municipality-owned and consumer-
owned water utilities illustrates the potential of a balanced public-private partnership.
Groundwater Protection
Denmark's focus on mapping sensitive zones and prioritizing long-term sustainability
in groundwater management resonates well with the goals of Jal Jeevan Mission.
Data and Technology

Denmark leverages data analytics and technology to improve transparency and
accountability. Their benchmarking practices under the Water Sector Act serve as an excellent
example of data-driven governance.
Adaptability
Denmark's dynamic approach to water management, evidenced by its flexibility in
adjusting chemical usage and monitoring emerging pollutants like PFAS, shows that their
system is designed to adapt to new challenges.
Lessons for Jal Jeevan Mission

Denmark's comprehensive water management strategy serves as a rich source of
insights for India's Jal Jeevan Mission. Their focus on governance, quality monitoring,
community engagement, and technological adoption provides a multi-faceted framework that
can greatly benefit India's initiatives.
By learning from Denmark's multi-dimensional approach to water management, India's

Jal Jeevan Mission can aim to achieve its objectives in a sustainable, efficient, and quality-
driven manner.
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Chapter 17: "Possible Danish Solutions to Enhance India's Challenges
in Sustainable Water Supply”
Introduction:
Water sustainability stands as one of the pressing global challenges of our age, and India, with
its vast and diverse population, grapples with unique challenges in this arena. Yet, solutions
may lie in learning from international models, particularly those of countries that have excelled
in the realm of sustainable water management. Denmark, a paragon of sustainable water
practices, offers a rich reservoir of strategies that can be adapted and scaled to India's context.
This chapter delves deep into the plethora of Danish water management solutions that could
prove pivotal in addressing India's challenges. From evidence-based strategic planning to
advanced technology adoption and from fostering community participation to robust
regulations, the chapter presents a comprehensive guide based on Denmark's success stories in
water sustainability.
1. Evidence-based Long-term Strategic Planning:

Denmark's approach to strategic
planning in water management is
grounded in concrete evidence.
Their reliance on precise data
concerning groundwater and
aquifer mapping, achieved using
advanced technology and tools,
exemplifies this commitment.
India could greatly benefit from
adopting this model, streamlining
efforts to identify groundwater sources. By collaborating with top-tier technical and
engineering institutions, India's drinking water and sanitation departments can
comprehensively map underground water resources. This would not only optimize the initiation
and longevity of water supply projects but also pave the way for greater transparency. By
sharing this data on public platforms, stakeholders can continually update it, ensuring optimal
use and enhanced efficiency.
Denmark's institutional commitment to strategic planning is worth noting. Bodies like their
Ministry of Environment, technical agencies, municipalities, and utilities prioritize not just
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short-term goals but place substantial emphasis on medium to long-term strategies. These
strategies encompass evaluations of water demand, supply, quality, consumption, funding
necessities, and even considerations for climatic changes and future challenges. Municipalities,
in particular, exhibit meticulousness, often having detailed plans broken down year by year.
This holistic, future-oriented approach is a valuable lesson for India, presenting a roadmap for
similar strategic integrations across diverse institutional levels.
2. Harnessing Advanced Cutting-edge Technology
Denmark stands at the forefront of

integrating technology into water
management. Their systematic monitoring of
water distribution leverages tech solutions to
promptly detect leaks, assess groundwater
levels, and guarantee the delivery of pristine
water. The nation's utilities employ top-tier
water pumps, renowned for their reliability, thereby nearly eliminating maintenance demands.
They further deploy the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system, a synergy
of software and hardware components. This sophisticated system facilitates both remote and
on-site data collection from various equipment and pipeline networks.
Remarkably, Denmark doesn't rely on overhead reservoirs. Instead, they provide

uninterrupted 24x7 water to households by consistently maintaining optimal pressure levels.
Pressure-centric monitoring, combined with preventive measures against water theft and
wastage, has dramatically curtailed non-revenue or unaccounted water to a mere 3-4%. This
high level of automation and monitoring, paired with a consistent water supply, has contributed
to a 30% reduction in per capita water demand over the past four decades, s tabilizing the supply
at 100 LPCD.
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India could consider emulating this
model on an experimental basis. By
implementing it in selected Multi-
village Schemes (MVS) via Public-
Private Partnerships, India could
assess the feasibility, cost
implications, and the advantages of
integrating such advanced
technology.
3. Sustainability at the source is the key
Denmark exemplifies how to prioritize source sustainability in water management.

They have devised an intricate plan to meticulously manage all groundwater resources. Critical
to this strategy is the careful monitoring of land use around water extraction structures, ensuring
they remain uncontaminated. Afforestation initiatives near extraction wells, combined with
rigorous regulations on chemical and pesticide usage, fortify the water sources against potential
pollutants.
India's Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) could well integrate these practices. By adopting
similar protective measures in various states, JJM can safeguard and sustain water sources,
ensuring that water remains pure right at the source.
4. Stipulation of User Charges
In Denmark, drinking water is billed based on actual consumption, tracked by water

meters. Despite the growth in the number of water connections, water consumption in Denmark
has been streamlined and optimized. Implementing a similar metering system in India could
promote accountability among end-users, substantially reducing waste. The introduction of
legislation governing water extraction and usage, combined with provisions for usage charges,
particularly for bulk consumption, could further ensure water is used judiciously. This
legislation could also stipulate timely user charge payments, provide guidance for the
distribution system's management, and address issues like unregulated withdrawals.
Denmark's visionary Water Sector Law has redefined their water landscape by
corporatizing water utilities as non-profit bodies, underpinning their operations with a
sustainable, long-term focus. While these utilities operate autonomously, their pricing
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structures remain under the purview of regulatory authorities, emphasizing reinvestment over
profit-making.
The oversight of the Danish water sector's economic aspects is vested in the Danish
Water Regulatory Authority, nested within The Danish Competition and Consumer Authority.
This body leans on economic theory to foster competition, champion efficiency, and incubate
innovation. Performance benchmarking and revenue capping by the authority have stabilized
prices, maintaining them even amidst rising sector investments over the past ten years.
At its core, the regulatory mechanism upholds transparency, ensuring actions are both
fair and consistent. It also underscores the importance of lucid communication by translating
complex regulations into more digestible language and fosters trust by ensuring the people and
the environment stand to benefit. Thanks to these measures, despite the cost fluctuations
influenced by local factors, Denmark's average water cost remains comfortably below the EU's
ideal benchmark, accounting for just 1.5-2% of an individual's annual income.
5. Promoting Water Consciousness and promoting mass-awareness:
Denmark's proactive approach to water conservation, underscored by robust Information,

Education, and Communication (IEC) activities, has transformed the public's perspective on
water. This strategic drive has culminated in a culture where the value of water is deeply
recognized, significantly curtailing wastage. An embodiment of this ethos is the Energy and
Water Centre in Copenhagen. This hub engages especially the youth with hands-on exhibits on
the water cycle, wastewater management, rainwater harvesting, and eco-friendly drainage
systems.
Taking a leaf out of Denmark's book, India stands to benefit from launching analogous
centers throughout its regions, aiming to empower its communities with water wisdom and
sustainable practices. To further this vision, incorporating water stewardship into academic
curricula can root the importance of conservation deep in the minds of youngsters, arming
future generations to champion the cause of water preservation.
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6. Fostering Multi-Faceted Collaborative Innovation between Government-
Industry-Academia-research Institutions:
Denmark's exemplary progress in the water sector arises from robust partnerships between
Government, Industry, Academia, and research Institutions. A prime example is the Towed
Transient Electro-Magnetic (tTEM) system, innovated by Aarhus University. This tool
provides rapid, cost-effective, and detailed 3D geological mapping of shallow sub-surfaces.
Notably, Tamil Nadu has already embraced this technology, recognizing its potential to surpass
the limitations of traditional groundwater surveys in India. Given the high incidence of failed
borewells using conventional methods, the wider adoption of tTEM across India, under
initiatives like the Jal Jeevan Mission, could
revolutionize groundwater exploration.
India stands to gain significantly by

forging alliances with its premier institutions,
including IITs, NITs, and IIMs. By merging their
expertise in technology and strategic
management, the nation can cultivate holistic
solutions for its water challenges.
7. A National Imperative: Groundwater

Mapping and Public Awareness
Denmark leads the way with its
comprehensive national groundwater
mapping program. Not only does this
centralize vital information, but it also
makes this data publicly accessible,
fostering greater accountability and
resource management. India could
significantly benefit from adopting a similar
model. Beyond this, there's an urgent need
to educate the public about the current groundwater status, the causes of its depletion and
deterioration, and effective methods of conservation. A comprehensive public awareness
campaign could serve as a pivotal instrument in this endeavour.
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8. Strengthening Technical Expertise and capacity enhancement
Prioritizing the professional development of technical staff is pivotal. One effective way
to achieve this is through periodic regional conferences centered on diverse themes. These
platforms can serve dual purposes: they can be arenas for celebrating and disseminating success
stories, and also learning hubs where field technicians exchange knowledge and best practices.
Inviting experts from different states or even internationally to showcase their successful
models can provide valuable exposure, fostering innovation and technical growth. Furthermore,
establishing a dedicated Central Institute for Water Management would be instrumental. This
institute could offer a range of specialized short-term courses tailored for field engineers,
ensuring they are always at the forefront of the latest methods and technologies in water
management.
9. Fostering Community Participation and Nurturing Young Minds:

In Denmark, the ethos of grassroots democracy and citizen-centric decision-making is
deeply ingrained. This philosophy is evident in the nation's water sector, where agencies
actively encourage community involvement in myriad ways – be it through crowd-sourcing
water quality data or empowering consumers to self-report water meter readings. The "living
labs" concept, dotted across the country, exemplifies the citizens' active role in shaping water
services and beyond.
A shining beacon of this community-centric approach is the ENERGY & WATER

Science Center (https://energiogvand.dk/en/frontpage/science-center/) in Greater Copenhagen.
This institution is not just about awareness; it's about engagement. Offering hands-on and
immersive courses, it familiarizes primary and early secondary school students with vital
concepts like energy, water production, climate change, and adaptation strategies. By reaching
out to younger generations, Denmark ensures a populace that's well-informed and actively
engaged in sustainable practices from an early age.
There's an immediate need for state-of-the-art water science centers at both national and
state levels in India. These hubs will educate the younger generation about water challenges.
Guided tours and interactive activities at these centers will amplify awareness, fostering a
society deeply attuned to sustainable water practices.
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10. CENTRALIZED AND Unified Water Management System:
In Denmark, a single utility within each municipality is responsible for the entire
drinking water supply chain, from groundwater extraction to wastewater management. This
centralized model offers the benefits of streamlined operations and more effective problem-
solving. India could consider adopting a similar system through Public-Private Partnerships
(PPPs), utilizing a Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Transfer (DBFOT) framework. With tariffs
set by the government and targeted subsidies for low-income populations, this approach could
offer long-term sustainability. Borrowing from successful models in India's private power
sector, a unified water management system could leverage economies of scale, achieving both
operational efficiency and financial stability, even at competitive pricing levels.
11. Robust Water Regulation

Denmark places a strong emphasis on rigorous monitoring of its water resources. This
is evident through our discussions with experts and is deeply ingrained in their administrative
framework. Adapting this for India, similar stringent oversight can be extended to both ground
and surface water sources. The key is to marry strict regulations with advanced hydro-
geological mapping. This duo can pave the way for a comprehensive "Inventory of
Underground Water Assets." Designating specific extraction zones for surface water and
monitoring them under the aegis of Central Government Body or any Commission could further
strengthen the system.
Denmark's exemplary water management is anchored by institutions like the Geological

Survey of Denmark & Greenland (GEUS), a pivotal research and advisory body under the
Danish Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Utilities. As the nation's National Geological
Datacentre, GEUS meticulously monitors
drilling activities, aggregates data on
waterworks' status and permits from
municipalities, records groundwater and
drinking water analyses from labs,
oversees waterworks' borehole usage, and
documents diverse hydrological
investigations, establishing a holistic
approach to water resource management.
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This meticulous data collection encourages voluntary contributions, continually
enriching the central database. The result is a suite of intricate geological and hydrogeological
models, providing insights into water flow, vulnerability assessments, and more. Drawing a
parallel, just as GPS spurred innovations in location-based data, Denmark's water data
management can be likened to a "Water GPS." This comprehensive data pool is a goldmine,
utilized by a diverse range of stakeholders - from industries and municipalities to researchers
and start-ups - fostering myriad utilities and applications.
India could derive significant value by emulating Denmark's rigorous and centralized approach,
ensuring sustainable water management backed by data-driven insights.
12. Holistic Coordination for Water Management:

Denmark showcases an integrated approach where multiple agencies collaborate to treat
water as a shared resource. In contrast, while India has departmental coordination on paper,
agencies often operate in isolation. To achieve the objectives of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM),
India could benefit from adopting a more cohesive inter-departmental strategy. Consideration
could be given to establishing a centralized authority responsible for overseeing all water-
related issues, thereby ensuring effective management and maintenance of the assets developed
under JJM.
13. Enhanced Digital Legacy leading to embracing Digital Transformation

As institutions worldwide struggle to adapt to the information age, Denmark's strategic
approach to digitization and digitalization offers a compelling case study. The country has not
only integrated modern technology into its archival systems but has also invested in data
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infrastructure to ensure longevity and usability. These robust systems serve multiple purposes:
They facilitate more efficient workflows, enhance data security, and most importantly, fortify
institutional memory.
One standout example of Denmark's commitment to digital preservation is the

Copenhagen Municipality's initiative to digitize approved building plans, some dating back to
as early as 1938. This is not a one-off project but part of a broader National Digital Twin
initiative, which aims to digitize a vast array of physical and administrative entities. By
converting these historic documents into digital formats, the municipality ensures that they are
not only preserved but also easily retrievable and usable for various applications, from research
to urban planning. Advanced data analytics tools even enable these archives to be cross-
referenced with modern data sets, fostering richer insights into social and architectural changes
over time. The brilliance of Denmark's approach lies in its synthesis of past, present, and future.
This ethos is reflected in their detailed digital archives, which benefit not just governmental
bodies but also researchers, policymakers, private citizens, and start-ups.
14. Denmark's Cohesive Water Management Policy with delegation across

governance levels:
Denmark's approach to water management is underpinned by a comprehensive and well-
coordinated policy framework. This clarity in governance ensures not just effective oversight
and management but also promotes sustained funding and the development of knowledge assets
tailored to address specific on-ground challenges.
a. Delegation Across Governance Levels:
From the European Union to local municipalities, each governing body in Denmark has a
clearly delineated role. The European Union, serving 450 million inhabitants, crafts broad
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directives. These directives encompass standards for drinking water, guidelines on nitrates, and
assessments of environmental impact. The Danish Parliament, addressing the needs of its 5.5
million inhabitants, delves into specific national concerns, focusing on legislation such as the
Water Supply Act, river basin management strategies, and detailed groundwater mapping. On
a regional scale, authorities, covering populations from 0.6 to 1.8 million, are tasked with
identifying and remedying contaminated sites. Meanwhile, the responsibilities of
municipalities, each ranging from 5,000 to 0.6 million inhabitants, span from water supply
planning to licensing water abstraction and from overseeing drinking water quality to
groundwater protection.
b. Emphasis on Groundwater Management:
Groundwater, as per Denmark's Water Supply Act, is much more than just a natural resource;
it's considered a shared economic
asset. Therefore, any extraction from
this precious resource demands a
license, granted by the municipality.
This holistic approach ensures that the
utilization of groundwater remains
sustainable. Complementing this,
both national and municipal entities
invest in meticulous, long-term planning initiatives, spanning river basins, wastewater
handling, groundwater protection, and broader water supply considerations.
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Concluding Remarks:
In an era where water scarcity and quality issues are intensifying, the cross-pollination of ideas
between nations can significantly impact the road ahead. Denmark's successes in the realm of
sustainable water supply offer a blueprint for countries grappling with similar challenges. For
India, adapting and incorporating these Danish strategies could be transformative, enabling the
nation to ensure clean and consistent water for its billion-plus citizens. Yet, successful adoption
hinges on the harmonious integration of technology, policy, and community involvement. It is a
collective endeavour, and the dividends are clear: a sustainable future where water, life's most
essential resource, is available to all. As India journeys forth on its mission for water
sustainability, the lessons from Denmark serve not just as inspiration but as tangible solutions
for a brighter, water-secure future.
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Dr. Manish Ranjan, IAS, Secretary, DWSD, Jharkhand
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8. Shri Rajiv Batish, Chief Engineer-cum-Mission Director, JJM, Public Health
Engineering Department, Government of Haryana
Report on Study tour and fact-finding trip to Denmark from August 28th to September
1st 2023, by Sh. Rajiv Batish, Mission Director Jal Jeevan Mission Haryana cum Chief
Engineer.
Overview:
The Government of India and the Government of Denmark have agreed upon a Joint Action
Plan for 2021-2026 under the Green Strategic Partnership (GSP), under which sustainable
water resources management is a key focus area. A Joint Work Plan between the National
Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) and the Danish Environmental Protection Agency to support the Jal
Jeevan Mission of the Government of India has been agreed upon as part of the GSP. The
concerned study tour and fact-finding trip was part of the Joint Work Plan. The study tour
and fact-finding trip to Denmark took place from August 28th to September 1, 2023. The
purpose of study tour was to
• Observe and exchange solutions and experiences from Denmark, India and
distribution, and other topics of relevance to the Joint Work Plan on JJM
and Joint Action Plan under GSP.
• Assess feasibility of solutions for India and consider implementation
challenges.
• Prepare a Fact-Finding Report to implement learnings in support of JJM
and GSP.
During the study tour Indian Delegation had discussions with various experts, attended
several presentations on various aspects related to technical, administrative, community
development, regulations, IT systems in Denmark. A brief of the study tour and
recommendations on Potential Adoption are as follows.
Visit to Aarhus on 28th and 29th Aug 2023

The visit to Aarhus Municipality started with a walking tour of the city and observed the
steps taken by Municipality for maintaining the quality of water in the canal running
between central Aarhus. Presentation was given on the Water Supply system in Aarhus
Municipality and learnt important insights as under:
1. Water meters were installed in year 1985 and after that there is less overall water
consumption, by higher population, even in year 2023 Vs 1985 consumption levels.
2. Denmark has adopted unique “Water Utility model” by blending Govt and Private
partnership, where financing is self-sustainable and not dependent on Govt
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Grants. No subsidies are given by Utilities which are working on No Profit and No
Loss principles and Utility charge the cost of running water supply from its
consumers.
3. Presentation was made by Mr Bo Eskerod (Remoni) about the new ultrasonic
clamp on flow meter for water connection.
4. Danish Water Industries Federation, DI Water has signed an MOU with L&T India
Water & Effluent Treatment IC to work towards a mutually beneficial long-term
partnership to facilitate close cooperation between two entities.
5. Aarhus Municipality has adopted very high standards for Material of Construction
for their borewells and treatment plant. Stainless Steel construction and
Automation has been used with an objective of long life.
6. The Beder Water Treatment Plant, Aarhus has been maintained at highest Hygiene
level as the delegates were asked to wear shoe covers before entering the
treatment plant.
7. Aarhus water utility has achieved 3.5% Non-Revenue Water by adopting active
leakage control and pressure management.
8. Water Connection and water meter are provided by water utility, which has
ensured efficient control on water wastages or NRW.
9. Excellent work on Ground Water Mapping, Modelling and Management has been
done in Denmark.
10. Presentation on Nature Based Solutions by CARLOS ALBERTO ARIAS was very interesting
in context of its application in Haryana State, which has also adopted Wet Land
Technology in large scale but facing lot of on-site design and implementation issues. Mr.
Carlos informed that he has already done one Nature Based Plant at Aligarh Muslim
University under EU grants, which is working satisfactory.
Visit to Odense on 30th Aug 2023

Visited office of Danish Environmental Protech Agency and Odense Utility and Learnt the
best practices adopted by Denmark for implementation of European Water Directives and
Nation Water Supply Regulation.
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1. Danish Environmental Protection Agency presented the best practices adopted by
Denmark for implementation of European Water Directives and Nation Water
Supply Regulation.
2. VCS water utility of Odense presented Danish Water Governance System and
Quality Systems for drinking water supplies.
Visit to Copenhagen on 31st Aug and 1st Sep 2023

We visited office of Hillerod Utility, Waterworks and Wastewater Treatment Plant. Met
CEO and other officers of Hillerod Municipality to know the best practices in water
management.
Following has been observed.
1. Hillerod Water utility is providing best of service with very little staff and very low
downtime. Utility has adopted selection of suitable contractors on Cost +
Overhead pricing structure instead of lowest bid for carrying out the works.
2. Visited Wastewater Treatment Plant which is fully automated through SCADA.
3. Copenhagen has set up Energy and Water Science Center for Information,
Education and Communication of Water Cycle to young children. The center is
visited by young children for one day tour and they are demonstrated live water
cycle and Energy usage through replicas and multimedia presentations.
4. Denmark has managed efficiently water data by avoiding silos and progressed on
the path of “Data and Digitization”. Reports on Denmark “Water in Figures” was
presented.
5. For proper regulations and monitoring the performance of Water Utilities
Denmark has prepared detailed roadmap on “The Economic Regulation of Danish

Water” which introduced the concept of Benchmarking and Regulation.
Visit to Hillerod Utility Frederiksgade Waterworks on 31st August 2023.
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Recommendations for Potential Adoption of Best Practices in India
India has lot to learn from best practices in Denmark and suitable adaptation relevant to
Indian conditions, has potential to uplifting Drinking Water Sector in India. Few of the
recommendations are as under:
• India is investing huge financial, manpower and natural resources in the

implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission and Amrut 2.0 Scheme to provide universal
access to piped water supply to each household. Whereas infrastructure in being
built for piped water supply but there will always challenges to maintain
functionality due to lack of robust water governance mechanism. The wastage of
water/electric energy due to subsidized/low water tariff and other inefficiencies
are bound to take a toll on depleting fresh water sources. Denmark has set up
Water Regulator Authority which is involved in implementation of effective Water
Regulation and Benchmarking. India can learn from these best practices and GOI
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may get the feasibility examined in Indian context for setting up Water Regulatory
Authority to take up benchmarking.
• Denmark has set up water utilities to work on no profit and no loss basis. The
utilities are governed by Water Regulatory Authority. In India, efforts have been
made to build capacity of Gram Panchayats to work as Rual Local Bodies but a lot
needs to be done as yet. For states where Gram Panchayats are small, it is difficult
for GP to work as a real utility. Clustering at Block level or as appropriate may be
required in some cases by grouping some GPs together to work as one Utility. GoI
may set up Expert Group to study the governance mechanisms that may be
suitable for India and further may examine the possibility of advising states to
explore Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme for reimbursement of water charges
to improve financial sustainability of drinking water systems.
• India has legislation for controlling thefts of electricity. Moreover, states have
notified ACTs to control the theft of raw water from irrigation canal network.
However, there are no Water Act for control of illegal withdrawal of drinking
water. Because of this reason, there in no proper control on the water distribution
system and unregulated withdrawal of water is major reason for high losses and
mismanagement. GoI may get the issue examined for taking suitable action in this
regard.
• Utilities in Denmark, own the responsibility of providing/maintaining water
connection at premises upto water meters. A study was presented of Aarhus
Municipality where water meters were installed in year 1983-85 which resulted in
lowering of per capita water allowance with reduction in water demand by 30%
which enabled them to implement other efficient systems resulting their current
water demand with 24x7 water supply stabilizing about 100 LPCD. GoI has
envisaged to provide 24x7 water supply under Vision@2047 and may set up expert
group to study the installation of water meters by PHED/Utilities/etc. by levering
Public Private Partnerships by adopting subscription-based financial outgo. State
may be encouraged to prepare their respective Water Meter Policy for controlling
the water wastages and reducing Non-Revenue Water for water saving and
increasing efficiency in water distribution.
Page | 123
• Presentation on Nature Based Solutions by CARLOS ALBERTO ARIAS was relevant
in context of its application for low-cost treatment of wastewater in rural and
urban areas. “Guidelines for the constructed wetland systems for treatment of
sewage in India" under the aegis of NMCG, Ministry of Jal Shakti is being prepared
by IIT Roorkee. Haryana State, which has adopted Wet Land Technology in large
scale but facing lot of on-site design and implementation issues. Denmark may be
associated with IIT Roorkee for finalization of guidelines for constructed wet land
in India.
• Denmark has developed a comprehensive IT system for asset management, data
inventory and hydraulic analysis on GIS platform. DDWS, GOI has already taken up
with Ministry of Gati Shakti for providing GIS imagery to develop integrated GIS
based IT solution, which is under process of development. Denmark can provide
advisory services for an integrated IT solution for Asset Management on GIS
platform where we can Digitally store data on various assets such as water supply
pipelines, borewells, waterworks etc. Moreover, such systems shall have capacity
to analyze Hydraulic Modelling/simulation and capacity to integrate with existing
ERP systems.
• Energy and Water Center, Copenhagen has been set up spreading awareness
among children by showing working models on water cycle with the help of
multimedia activities. The working models of water cycles can have lasting impact
on children to realize the importance of water. GOI may advice states to explore
the benefits and potential outcomes for such centers in India with advisory
services from Denmark.
• Denmark has done wonderful work on Ground Water Mapping, modeling, and
Management. GoI may examine, if Ground Water Experts from Central Ground
Water Board or State Ground Water Authority may be sent to Denmark to
understand Best Practices by organizing Study tour.
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9. Shri Pradeep Singh, Director, NJJM, DDWS, Govt. of India
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Further, the major takeaways from the tour in the Indian context, following may considered:
Water regulatory authority: An Independent authority to
1. Ensure efficiency and competitive water prices in a sector with natural monopolies
2. Compares efficiency of the individual water companies
3. Benchmarking results used to set revenue caps
4. Reports the NRW and O&M
District Water Supply plan for each district
1. Describes the present and expected future water requirements
2. Make arrangement for the water suppliers’ utilities
3. Allocates areas where common water suppliers/ VWSCs etc.
4. Describes areas where water is supplied by private water suppliers/private wells
5. Plans future expansion of water plants and their future supply areas
National Mapping to know
1. Ground water resource/ Surface water
2. Identify sensitive areas
3. Special drinking water areas (GW/ Surface water)
Working group to see water supply legislation for
1. The amount of water available
Page | 133
2. report ground water abstraction in national database
3. Build database for ground water and surface water resource
4. The citizens’ and industries’ need for sufficient water supply of a satisfactory quality
5. Environmental and nature protection (conserving an area’s natural qualities)
Page | 134
10. Shri Sumit Priyadarshi, Deputy Advisor, NJJM, DDWS, Govt. of India
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A.) Water Supply Act: Groundwater is considered as a common economic good
1. Danish water utility sector – provides 100% metered water for domestic,
industrial and irrigation needs;
2. License is mandatory to abstract water;
3. Municipality is the licensing authority; and
4. applicants must describe the possible impacts on the surroundings.
B.) Priority of allocation of groundwater

1. Public domestic water supply;
2. Conservation; and
3. Irrigation and industry.
C.) Statutory measures to conserve groundwater

1. Strategic drinking water areas are designated reserved for drinking water
purposes;
2. Restricted land use with planned afforestation; and
3. Description of the future need for drinking water based on the Municipal Master
Plan.
D.) Best practice at water utilities

1. Limiting non-revenue water to 3 to 4% or less;
2. Continuous pressurised pipes to prevent ingress of foreign material in pipes;
3. Proactive leak detection through state-of-the-art technology;
4. Pressure management to prevent the water stress in the network &Burst
management;
Page | 140
5. Prioritized preventive maintenance and excellent housekeeping;
6. Use of superior grade material for all components and food grade
cleanliness; and
7. 100% metering and state of the art supervisory data access.
E.) National geological survey of Denmark and Greenland – common point of reference
1. Maintains a public database of hydrogeology to support groundwater
management;
2. Evolved system of database in which the data on groundwater extraction,
recharge, quality, pollution leaching, aquifer interaction, and anything related to
ground water is maintained and available in unified portal; and
3. Used extensively for general public, municipalities, water utilities and lawmakers.
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11. Shri Avinash Kumar Sinha, Under Secretary, NJJM, DDWS, Govt. of India
Denmark: Study tour report
Under the agreement of Joint action plan for 2021-2026 for Green strategic
Partnership between Government of India and Government of Denmark, a delegation of 11
officers which inter alia includes senior officers from the States also, had visited Denmark for
a study tour cum fact finding Mission from August 28 to September 1, 2023. This study tour
was as per the invitation accorded by the Danish Environmental Protection Agency and the
purpose of the study was: -
• Observe and exchange solutions and experiences from Denmark, India and
distribution, and other topics of relevance to the Joint Work Plan on JJM and Joint
Action Plan under GSP.
• Assess feasibility of solutions for India and consider implementation challenges.
• Prepare a fact-finding report to implement learnings in support of JJM and GSP.
During the study tour, we had visited three cities of Denmark namely Aarhus, Odense and
Copenhagen. The days wise summary of the visit is as under:
Day-1: 28.8.2023 (Monday)
After the initial briefing in the hotel, we have visited the Aarhus Municipality and met
with their officers. They briefed us about the Strategy being adopted by them on Integrated
water resource management as well as on the water supply regulations in force in the country.
This stream which are flowing within a city was initially a clean natural water source which
got polluted by the discharge of city waste water later. However, Municipality had planned
for their rejuvenation and after the implementing the project, now only clean water is flowing
in the stream. Both sides of this stream, various eating joints and places of tourist attractions
have come up. The maintenance is being borne by collecting charges from the people.
We also interacted with the representatives of COWI, a conglomerate of Danish

industry, mostly Technology providers, shared the challenges being faced by various States in
India. They also presented their products and services which may be useful in water
management in India.
Day-2: 29.08.2023 (Tuesday)

The delegation visited the office of water utility in Aarhus, ‘Aarhus Vand’.
Presentations by delegates from Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and GOI on current situations and
possibilities of collaborations with Denmark Govt. in areas of interest were presented. The
delegation got an overview of functioning of water utility, the structure of the organization
etc in Denmark. It was an eye opener. The delegates thereafter visited the Beder Water
Treatment Plant, Aarhus where everyone appreciated the level of hygiene and maintenance.
There was another presentation by Carlos Alberto Arias on nature-based solutions for water
treatment. New technologies viz. water discharge measurement by a device outside the pipe,
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software solutions to problems, recycling water system for towns, waste to value, etc were
also discussed in details.
In the afternoon, we visited Aarhus University where we got a demonstration on geo-

physical groundwater mapping methods, the theory behind the methodology of ground water
mapping, their experiences relating to nature-based solution to River rejuvenation by the
Institute of Geoscience, University of Aarhus.
Day-3: 30.8.2023 (Wednesday)

We were in Odense city after completing visit at Aarhus. We went Danish
Environmental Protection Agency (DEPA) where the presentations on integrated water
resources management, national water supply regulation and national groundwater
programme were presented. The key points during the presentation were the study of an
underground start up, data analysis of a system of bore wells, as well as impact of saline ocean
water on the coastal areas.
In the afternoon, we visited a VCS, water utility of Odense. It was again a very
interesting visit. We had a detailed interaction with their senior officers on functioning of the
Utility, issues in O & M, energy efficiency, asset management etc. We had also site visit to
their intake well. We learnt about the groundwater protection programme which the utility
was implementing.
In the evening, we left Odense and reached Copenhagen where we met Indian
Ambassador at Denmark and also interacted with her and briefed about the purpose of visit
and what we have learnt so far here.
Day-4: 31.8.2023 (Thursday)

We went to a water utility, Hillerod Utility and Frederiksgade water utility in the first
half where we saw and learnt about the functioning of the utility, monitoring of ground water
level on real time basis, Municipal water supply management, sustainable water supply in an
area with growth, interaction with neighbouring municipalities etc. We also visited their waste
water treatment plant which was another interesting site.
In the afternoon, we visited to Energy and Water Science Centre, an educational and
awareness Centre where, with the help of various audio-visual tools as well as prototypes,
explains various environment related challenges being faced and how human being can make
a difference in protection of the earth. Various water management related practices have
been demonstrated there with the help of prototypes. The centre is a good modal for the
visits of young school children and educated youth so that they are properly sensitized
towards the usage of energy through various models and multimedia presentations. Such kind
of education centre would also be helpful in India to understand the whole water system and
their management.
Day-5: 1.9.2023 (Friday)
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The last day of the visit, we went to National Geological Survey of Denmark and
Greenland (GEUS). There were series of presentations made on various aspects like public
database to support GW management and GW based water supply in Denmark, sustained GW
extraction, the management of Danish environment database portal etc. We also interacted
with the representatives of Danish Water Regulatory Authority and learnt about the regulator
aspect of utility management, their tariff fixation methodology, benchmarking etc.
The national geological survey of Denmark and Greenland has done 100% digitization
of data and database. They have developed such modelling tools so that the latest data is not
only captured but it also is being used for correct decisions. The Danish Water Regulatory
Authority takes care of benchmarking and tariff systems of various water utilities.
Learning of the tour:

Extensive uses of Technology: Denmark has deployed IT based system for management of its
all assets which includes pumping system, water supply lines, data management etc. They
have a technology monitoring water distribution which ensures detection of leakages,
availability of ground water as well as supply of good quality water.
There is an active collaboration of the water utilities with Universities and Research
Institutions. The Transient Electro-Magnetic (tTEM) system developed at the Hydro
Geophysics Dept of Aarhus University for detailed 3D geophysical and geological mapping of
the shallow subsurface in a fast and cost-effective ways. High quality of water pumps used by
the utilities also ensures zero maintenance requirement. These can be suitably adopted in
India through local partnership.
Non-revenue water (NRW): Denmark has a new concept of non-revenue water this means
water that has been produced and is "lost" before it reaches the customer.
Controlling the wastage of water is very important. In Denmark, non-revenue water in almost
all Municipalities is less than 5%. It is possible only through proper water meters as well as for
acting if anybody waste water. If there is a leakage in the government water supply network,
then the water utility is made responsible and if any private consumer has a leakage in his
line, then he is made responsible and fine is imposed.
Two District Metered Areas (DMA) in the Copenhagen urban district Frederiksberg is now
supplied with drinking water controlled with Grundfos DDD – Demand Driven Distribution
utilising advanced technology and internet of things (IoT). Using hydraulic modelling the
system is designed to ensure the required pressure at all customers. The purpose of the new
‘pressure control station’ is to provide local pressure optimisation in the two DMAs supplied
directly from the pumping station.
Information, Education & Communication (IEC): Public awareness is the key to success. Not
only the young generation is providing knowledge by visit to energy and water centre but it
also involves citizens during the planning and execution process. Energy and Water Science
Centre at Copenhagen, an educational and awareness Centre where, with the help of various
audio-visual tools as well as prototypes, explains various environment related challenges
being faced and how human being can make a difference in protection of the earth. The centre
Page | 144
is a good modal for the visits of young school children and educated youth so that they are
properly sensitized towards the usage of energy through various models and multimedia
presentations. Such kind of education centre would also be helpful in India to understand the
whole water system and their management.
Sustainability of water Utility: In Demark, sustainability of water utility has been taken care
utmost and it is running on ‘No Profit No Loss’ basis. We can also develop a similar model
for stainability of water utility and operation and maintenance in PPP models.
*****
Page | 145

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REPORT OF DELEGATION FROM INDIA ON STUDY TOUR &

FACT-FINDING TRIP TO DENMARK

Report on Study Tour and Fact-Finding Trip to Denmark

Report on Study Tour and Fact-Finding Trip to Denmark

The delegation visited Aarhus Municipality to study integrated water resources

Report on Study Tour and Fact-Finding Trip to Denmark

Report on Study Tour and Fact-Finding Trip to Denmark

• providing policy guidance, financial assistance and technical support to States;

The main desired outcomes of the Cooperation are as under:

Report on Study Tour and Fact-Finding Trip to Denmark

1.1 About Study Tour

1.2 Participants of Study Tour

Report on Study Tour and Fact-Finding Trip to Denmark

Report on Study Tour and Fact-Finding Trip to Denmark

2.1 Key findings

Administrative level Inhabitants Main tasks within water supply

Licensing water abstraction,

Supervision of drinking water, Groundwater

Report on Study Tour and Fact-Finding Trip to Denmark

o All the Waterworks must report to GEUS their use of boreholes.

o In addition to this, voluntary reporting is encouraged so that the common database

Report on Study Tour and Fact-Finding Trip to Denmark

• Institutions have invested heavily in digitization, and digitalization of processes, outcomes

• The Government-Academia-Industry collaboration is established well which leads to a

• There is variation in tariff of water in Denmark depending upon Geographical attributes of

Report on Study Tour and Fact-Finding Trip to Denmark

• Annually, Denmark’s expansive network of approximately 700 wastewater treatment plants

• Treatment facilities are meticulously designed to process a definitive volume of water to

2.2 City Visits

Report on Study Tour and Fact-Finding Trip to Denmark

Report on Study Tour and Fact-Finding Trip to Denmark

Report on Study Tour and Fact-Finding Trip to Denmark

Report on Study Tour and Fact-Finding Trip to Denmark

Report on Study Tour and Fact-Finding Trip to Denmark

Report on Study Tour and Fact-Finding Trip to Denmark

Work Plan (2021-23)

Report on Study Tour and Fact-Finding Trip to Denmark

III. Institutional mechanisms of cooperation

Report on Study Tour and Fact-Finding Trip to Denmark

i. No funding/recruitment process regarding establishment of PMU etc. shall be undertaken by NJJM.

Activities Product Primary partners Timing

Report on Study Tour and Fact-Finding Trip to Denmark

A.1.4: Additional data Data report Activity owner(s): State Q1 2022

Activities Product Primary partners Timing

A.2.1: Technological Presentations and Activity owner(s): State Q2 2022

Report on Study Tour and Fact-Finding Trip to Denmark

Output A.3: Introduction of new technology Indicators: Pre-feasibility study prepared.

A.3.3: Small-scale Small-scale Activity owner(s): NJJM and NITI Q4 2022-23

project(s) project(s) implemented Mission. State government

Report on Study Tour and Fact-Finding Trip to Denmark

A.5.2: Knowledgesharing Strengthening of the Activity owner(s): NJJM DK 2021-23

Report on Study Tour and Fact-Finding Trip to Denmark

B.1.4: Additional data Data report Activity owner(s): Large Q1 2022

Report on Study Tour and Fact-Finding Trip to Denmark

Activities Product Primary partners Timing

Report on Study Tour and Fact-Finding Trip to Denmark

Report on Study Tour and Fact-Finding Trip to Denmark

available data and GAP DK partner: Knowledge

Activities Product Primary partners Timing

Report on Study Tour and Fact-Finding Trip to Denmark