Kerala Rural Water Supply And Sanitation Agency

What Kerala Rural Water Supply And Sanitation Agency does

Kerala Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (KRWSA), operating under its public brand "Jalanidhi," is a Government of Kerala state entity constituted to deliver community-managed rural water supply and sanitation services across Kerala, India. The agency implements the Jalanidhi program in two phases — Phase I established the foundational beneficiary-participation model, and Phase II (active from ~2012 onwards) introduced bulk water supply schemes and tribal development plans. KRWSA has operationalized 5,884 water supply schemes covering 227 Grama Panchayats, with 4.52 lakh household connections serving approximately 22.26 lakh people, primarily rural households and tribal communities including Muthuvan and Hill Pulaya tribes in Wayanad and Idukki districts.

The technology stack combines physical infrastructure with select digital and renewable-energy innovations: GIS-based asset mapping for statewide infrastructure tracking; solar-based on-grid pumping systems (deployed in Alathur and Rampilly tribal hamlets in Wayanad) that reduce electricity bills; LoRa-based automated water control systems enabling 24x7 supply in remote schemes; decentralized wastewater treatment systems (DEWATS) using anaerobic baffled reactors and filters with 15 mld installed capacity; and ferro-cement rain water harvesting units in water-stressed panchayats such as Thrikkadeeri in Palakkad. A digital ecosystem of dashboards (Jalanidhi Analytics, Project Management System, Jal Jeevan Mission Dashboard, Complaint Dashboard) supports monitoring, execution tracking, and grievance redressal at the panchayat level.

KRWSA's business model is a hybrid public-welfare construct rather than a commercial enterprise. Capital expenditure is funded through a 75% World Bank / 15% state government / 10% beneficiary-contribution split (exemplified by the Rs 12.6 crore Nadathara LWSS and Rs 5.65 crore Irikkur BWSS). Recurring revenue derives from monthly household water tariffs (Rs 100-110 for 10 KL with slab-based incremental charges), bulk water purchase margins from Kerala Water Authority (Rs 6/KL cost, retailed at higher consumer rates), and one-time new-connection fees of Rs 6,500-10,000. The go-to-market is community-led: Beneficiary Groups (BGs) and Scheme Level Executive Committees (SLECs) participate in planning, implementation, and ongoing operations, in coordination with Gram Panchayats under the Local Self Government Department, Suchitwa Mission, and the State Water Resources Department. Customer concentration is fundamentally governmental — the Government of Kerala, World Bank, and 227 local panchayats are the primary counterparties, with end-beneficiaries spread across 4.52 lakh rural households.

Name

Kerala Rural Water Supply And Sanitation Agency

Legal name

Kerala Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency

Website

https://jalanidhi.kerala.gov.in

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kerala Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (KRWSA), branded Jalanidhi, is a Government of Kerala entity that implements community-managed rural water supply and sanitation across 227 Gram Panchayats, operating 5,884 schemes serving 4.52 lakh households and 22.26 lakh people using solar pumping, DEWATS, GIS mapping, and LoRa-based control systems.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Rural Water Supply and Sanitation

NAICS

Water Supply and Irrigation Systems (221310), Water, Sewage and Other Systems (2213), Administration of Air and Water Resource and Solid Waste Management Programs (92411), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (9241)

SIC

Water Supply (4941), Sanitary Services (4950)

akta.pro primary industry

Water Resources Administration (Watersheds, Rivers, Groundwater) (BPAIAMAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Water Supply & Wastewater Utilities Administration (BPAIACAG), Irrigation Automation & Controls Services (SCADA, Sensors, Telemetry) (AFACAFAI), Water-Smart Irrigation & Water Stewardship (Drip/Micro, Scheduling, Water Harvesting) (AFAGAMAD), Environmental Public Health (Food Safety, Water Quality, Sanitation) (BPAIAJAE)

Keywords

• Rural water supply
• Community water management
• Sanitation services
• Decentralized wastewater treatment
• Water infrastructure

Headquarters

HQ city

Thiruvananthapuram

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Water Tariff Collection: Beneficiary households pay monthly water tariffs for operation and maintenance. Tariffs are based on consumption slabs (e.g., minimum Rs. 100 for 10 KL, with additional charges for higher consumption).
2. Bulk Water Purchase: Bulk water purchase from Kerala Water Authority at Rs. 6 per KL, then distributed to end consumers with margin.
3. Government Funding & World Bank Aid: Projects funded through World Bank aid (75%), state government funds (15%), and beneficiary contributions (10%).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Kerala Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (KRWSA), operating under the brand 'Jalanidhi', is a Government of Kerala agency that implements community-managed rural water supply and sanitation schemes across the state. It enables beneficiary households to participate in planning, building, and operating water supply infrastructure, delivers bulk water supply in partnership with Kerala Water Authority, and installs decentralized wastewater treatment (DEWATS) and solar-based pumping systems, covering 5884 schemes across 227 Grama Panchayats serving 22.26 lakh people.

Product overview

Kerala Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (KRWSA) operates the Jalanidhi program, a community-managed rural water supply initiative covering 5884 schemes across 227 gram panchayats, benefiting approximately 22.26 lakh people. The program operates in two phases: Phase I established the foundational community ownership model, while Phase II introduced bulk water supply projects, tribal development plans, and enhanced monitoring systems. Key digital products include GIS Asset Mapping, Project Management System, Complaint Dashboard, and Jala Jeevan Mission Dashboard. Technical solutions encompass solar-based pumping systems, grey water treatment systems (DEWATS), and automated water control systems using LPWAN sensors. The program enables beneficiary communities to plan, build, and operate water supply schemes with government and World Bank support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Jalanidhi Phase I & Phase II Program Government-led community-managed rural water supply program covering 5884 schemes across 227 Grama Panchayats in Kerala, benefiting 22.26 lakh people and 4.52 lakh household connections.
• Irikkur Bulk Water Supply Scheme Bulk water supply scheme serving 2006 households through community-managed distribution, with bulk water purchased from Kerala Water Authority at Rs. 6 per KL.
• Nadathara Large Water Supply Scheme Large water supply scheme serving 2877 households with 75% World Bank funding, charging Rs. 110 for 10 KL monthly tariff, with reserve fund of Rs. 86.35 lakh after 4 years.
• Grey Water Treatment Systems (DEWATS) Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Systems using anaerobic baffled reactor (ABR) and anaerobic filter (AF) technology, followed by horizontal plant gravel filter, with 15 million liters per day capacity installed in tribal hostels and institutions.
• Solar-Based On-Grid Pumping System Solar-powered pumping system for community-managed water supply schemes in tribal areas, reducing electricity costs and ensuring sustainability, successfully implemented in Alathur (88 households) and Rampilly (16 households) in Wayanad District.
• Solar-Based Water Control System Low Power Wide Area networking protocol with sensor-based mechanism for automated pump control and water level management using solar power, enabling 24x7 water supply in remote community schemes.
• Ferro-cement Rain Water Harvesting Units Rain Water Harvesting units constructed to address water scarcity in water-stressed areas like Thrikkadeeri GP in Palakkad and rocky terrain regions.
• Tribal Inclusion Water Supply Schemes Water supply schemes targeting tribal communities in Marayoor and Kanthallur Grama Panchayats, including Muthuvan and Hill Pulaya tribes, with 637 and 530 tribal households covered respectively.

Quantifiable outcome

• Solar-based pumping reduces electricity bills by Rs. 2,300 per month for Alathur scheme (88 households) and Rs. 300 per month for Rampilly scheme (16 households)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Kerala Water Authority (KWA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKRWSA and KWA signed MOU for bulk water supply to Jalanidhi projects. KWA provides treated water while KRWSA manages distribution through community committees.
• State Water Resources DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState government department overseeing water resource management and coordination with KRWSA.
• LSGD (Local Self Government Department)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoordinates with Gram Panchayats for project implementation and local governance.
• Suchitwa MissionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState mission for sanitation working with KRWSA on grey water management and sanitation initiatives.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board (TWAD): State-level government agency in Tamil Nadu responsible for water supply and drainage infrastructure, operating rural and urban water supply schemes with a similar public sector implementation model to KRWSA.
• Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam (Urban) / UP Jal Nigam (Rural): Uttar Pradesh's state-level water supply and sewerage agency executing large-scale rural and urban water infrastructure projects, comparable in scale and community-managed scheme approach to KRWSA.
• Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran: Maharashtra state water supply and sanitation agency implementing rural piped water supply schemes with government and World Bank funding, directly comparable in mandate and operational model to KRWSA.
• Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) Rajasthan: Rajasthan's PHED implements rural and urban water supply schemes across the state, with similar scale, state-level government mandate, and Jal Jeevan Mission alignment to KRWSA.
• Gujarat Water Supply and Sewerage Board (GWSSB): Gujarat state agency responsible for water supply and sewerage infrastructure, including rural water supply programs, with a similar state government mandate to KRWSA.
• Suchitwa Mission (Kerala): Kerala's state sanitation mission partnering with KRWSA on grey water management (confirmed in partnerships data); operates complementary sanitation programs under the same state government umbrella.

Broad incumbents

• Delhi Jal Board: Larger state-level urban water utility providing water supply and wastewater services, comparable in public sector water utility mandate though primarily urban-focused unlike KRWSA's rural focus.

Regional players

• Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited (KRIDL): Karnataka state entity implementing rural infrastructure including water supply schemes, with comparable rural water and sanitation mandate to KRWSA but operating in a different geography.
• Bihar Rural Development Society (BRDS) / PHED Bihar: Bihar's PHED and rural water entities implement rural water supply schemes, with comparable state-level government mandate and rural focus, though operating in a different geographic region.

Others

• National Jal Jeevan Mission (Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation): Central government mission that funds and monitors rural household tap connections across India. KRWSA's Jalanidhi schemes integrate with JJM dashboards (Jalanidhi's JJM Dashboard product), making it a primary funding and oversight counterpart.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/Mediakrwsa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kerala-rural-water-supply-and-sanitation-agency

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kerala Rural Water Supply And Sanitation Agency