Kanpur is the biggest city of the state and is the main centre of commercial and industrial activities. Formerly it was known as Manchester of India. Now it is the commercial capital of Uttar Pradesh.It is situated on the most important national highways no. 2 & 25 and state highway, the main Delhi-Howrah railway trunck lines & at the bank of holy river Ganga. It is about 126 meters above the sea level. Presently civilian air-service to Delhi is available for the city at Ahirwan. The other nearest civilian air port Amausi (Lucknow) is 65Km. away from Kanpur The municipal limit of Kanpur Nagar is about 780 sq. km. About 80% is covered by water supply and about 60% is covered by sewerage system.

Right from the inception of JalKal Vibhag, it has been entrusted the work of operation and maintenance of city water supply and sewerage system. Prior to the creation of Kanpur Jal Sansthan water supply and sewerage services were looked after by local Municipal Corporation. In 1975 under the U.P. Water Supply and Sewerage Act. 1975 KJS was constituted as local authority to looked after these services. It has again been merged with Nagar Nigam & from 01.04.2009 working as JalKal Vibhag Nagar Nigam Kanpur. The working / administrative set up of JalKal Vibhag is decentralised in Six Zone. Each zone is headed by Executive Engineer who is responsible for water supply, sewerage, Billing & Collection, along with the separate bank accounts & power of drawing & disbursing. Each Zone has its own separate administrative office. For public convince 24 hour Control Room & C.U.G. Mobile Number is made available to E.E./ A.E./J.E's.