SECTION D: URBAN & PUBLIC UTILITIES AWARDS
Best Smart City Water Initiative
Description: Recognizes the most impactful smart city initiative that integrates technology and planning for efficient water supply, wastewater treatment, and community service. Focus on integration of smart meters, GIS, sensors, AI, or citywide water efficiency programs.
Eligibility:
- Smart City Mission projects, municipal corporations, utilities, PPP projects.
- Must showcase performance data and measurable citizen impact.
Judging Criteria (100 points) :
- Innovation in Smart Water Tec/Design (30)
- Coverage & Impact on citizens (25)
- Efficiency & Sustainability (20)
- Governance & Implementation (15)
- Replicability/Scaling (10)
Notes: Urban Development Department endorsements are encouraged for nominations.
Excellence in Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) Initiative
Description: Honors projects or industries that have successfully implemented Zero Liquid Discharge systems, proving leadership in industrial wastewater reuse.
Eligibility:
- Industries, clusters, or utilities with working ZLD setups.
Judging Criteria:
- Technological innovation (25)
- Compliance success (25)
- Environmental impact (20)
- Cost-effectiveness (20)
- Scalability (10)
Best Drinking Water Supply Utility – Urban
Description: Recognizes outstanding municipal utilities delivering reliable, safe, and equitable drinking water services in urban areas.
Eligibility:
- Urban local bodies, municipal corporations, specialized water boards (e.g., DJB).
- Must demonstrate service data, compliance with drinking water standards.
Judging Criteria:
- Service Reliability (30)
- Water Quality Compliance (20)
- Innovations in Delivery / Infrastructure (20)
- Equity & Inclusion (e.g., slum coverage) (20)
- Governance & Transparency (10)
Notes: Submission must include water testing reports and consumer service indicators (coverage %, continuity hrs/day).
Best Wastewater Management Utility – Urban
Description: Awarded to utilities delivering dependable sewage collection, wastewater treatment, and safe discharge/reuse services in urban areas.
Eligibility:
- Urban municipal utilities and city-based wastewater boards.
- Must include operational STPs/WWTPs with records.
Judging Criteria:
- Treatment Capacity Created vs Utilized (25)
- Efficiency in treated effluent quality (25)
- Innovation & Technologies adopted (20)
- Sustainability & Energy Savings (20)
- Customer Service (10)
Notes: Required submission of data on treated flow, quality compliance (BOD/COD removal).
Innovation in Non-Revenue Water Reduction (NRW)
Description: Highlights significant municipal innovations in reducing NRW via leak detection, metering, pressure management, and revenue collection.
Eligibility:
- Urban water boards/municipal bodies with NRW reduction programs.
- Private operators under PPP also eligible.
Judging Criteria:
- Magnitude of NRW reduction (before vs after) (30)
- Innovation in approach/technology (25)
- Long-term Sustainability of initiative (20)
- Scale of deployment (15)
- Replication potential (10)
Notes: Utilities must showcase verified NRW data audits.
Excellence in Sludge & Biosolids Management
Description: Recognizes utilities or cities that optimize sludge treatment (STPs/ETPs) and resource recovery (biogas, compost, fertilizers, construction use).
Eligibility:
- Utilities, industrial clusters, city sanitation units.
Judging Criteria:
- Innovation in Sludge Treatment/Reuse (25)
- Environmental Improvement (25)
- Scale & Market Linkages (20)
- Sustainability & Compliance (20)
- Replicability & Community Acceptance (10)
Notes: Evidence of safe treatment/disposal and beneficial usage required.
Best Urban Sanitation Program
Description: Recognizes urban local bodies implementing comprehensive sanitation programs (toilets, faecal sludge management, integrated waste & water services).
Eligibility:
- ULBs, smart city units, PPP ventures involving sanitation at large scale.
Judging Criteria (100 points) :
- Innovation in sanitation service delivery (25)
- Coverage (population % served) (25)
- Sustainability of interventions (20)
- Partnerships/Community engagement (20)
- Measurable Improvements (ODF, complaints reduction) (10)
Notes: Cities with SBM (Swachh Bharat Mission) recognition may be nominated.
Best Drinking Water Supply Utility – Urban
Description: Recognizes outstanding municipal utilities delivering reliable, safe, and equitable drinking water services in urban areas.
Eligibility:
- Urban local bodies, municipal corporations, specialized water boards (e.g., DJB).
- Must demonstrate service data, compliance with drinking water standards.
Judging Criteria:
- Service Reliability (30)
- Water Quality Compliance (20)
- Innovations in Delivery / Infrastructure (20)
- Equity & Inclusion (e.g., slum coverage) (20)
- Governance & Transparency (10)
Notes: Submission must include water testing reports and consumer service indicators (coverage %, continuity hrs/day).
Best Wastewater Management Utility – Urban
Description: Awarded to utilities delivering dependable sewage collection, wastewater treatment, and safe discharge/reuse services in urban areas.
Eligibility:
- Urban municipal utilities and city-based wastewater boards.
- Must include operational STPs/WWTPs with records.
Judging Criteria:
- Treatment Capacity Created vs Utilized (25)
- Efficiency in treated effluent quality (25)
- Innovation & Technologies adopted (20)
- Sustainability & Energy Savings (20)
- Customer Service (10)
Notes: Required submission of data on treated flow, quality compliance (BOD/COD removal).
Innovation in Non-Revenue Water Reduction (NRW)
Description: Highlights significant municipal innovations in reducing NRW via leak detection, metering, pressure management, and revenue collection.
Eligibility:
- Urban water boards/municipal bodies with NRW reduction programs.
- Private operators under PPP also eligible.
Judging Criteria:
- Magnitude of NRW reduction (before vs after) (30)
- Innovation in approach/technology (25)
- Long-term Sustainability of initiative (20)
- Scale of deployment (15)
- Replication potential (10)
Notes: Utilities must showcase verified NRW data audits.
Excellence in Sludge & Biosolids Management
Description: Recognizes utilities or cities that optimize sludge treatment (STPs/ETPs) and resource recovery (biogas, compost, fertilizers, construction use).
Eligibility:
- Utilities, industrial clusters, city sanitation units.
Judging Criteria:
- Innovation in Sludge Treatment/Reuse (25)
- Environmental Improvement (25)
- Scale & Market Linkages (20)
- Sustainability & Compliance (20)
- Replicability & Community Acceptance (10)
Notes: Evidence of safe treatment/disposal and beneficial usage required.