Urban water supply, normally managed by the utilities, is conventionally facilitated through underground piped system. In most of the developing countries, the piped water supply is not sufficient to fulfil the need of communities. Communities in such localities resort to the usage of alternative modes of supply. These modes include boreholes, water tankers, vending through donkey carts, suction pumps or informal drawing from water mains. These alternative modes are used in different arrangements which extend service to consumers through ways and means not formally integrated in the conventional procedures. Studies on urban water supply have cover the supply modes, procedures, projects and programmes undertaken by the utilities. Literature is available on water vending in urban and peri urban areas. However there appears a knowledge gap in literature related to the alternative arrangements of water supply. This dissertation explores the research question as to why and how consumers in urban areas resort to the usage of alternative arrangements in water supply.