Bhubaneswar: The Public Health Engineering Organisation (Pheo) has begun appointing water monitors in all 67 municipal wards to act as a catalyst between the government and the residents to strengthen the water supply network in the city.

Each ward will have one water monitor who will have to be someone with experience of dealing with social issues. The monitor will help Pheo organise community meetings at the ward level and listen to complaints related to water supply and help increase the number of connections with new consumers.

The monitors will also visit households and distribute feedback forms. They will also collect water tax from consumers in consultation with Pheo's tax collectors.

"We have already drafted the monitors' job profile. A standard operating procedure will be followed to accomplish the task assigned to them. The initiative will mainly help us improve service delivery parameters and to strengthen our supply network," said Pheo's superintending engineer C.R. Jena.

Sources said Pheo will fix a tentative target for each ward after assessing the number of households with water connections and the number left out and make efforts to sensitise the non-consumers about the benefit of Pheo water.

Moreover, to encourage engagement of water monitors, Pheo will provide them an incentive of Rs 100 for each successful connection. "We have not made it mandatory for the water monitor to be individuals only. It can be a voluntary organisation as well or a self-help-group," said Jena.

An official said the appointment of water monitors will be completed before April 15. Pheo will train them for five days.

"The plan will yield results. It will also provide an employment opportunity to the people," said an official of Pheo.