Since August 2019, Government of India in partnership with States is implementing Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) – Har Ghar Jal to make provision of potable water to every rural household of the country, through functional tap water connection i.e. at a service level of 55 litre per capita per day (lpcd), of prescribed quality (BIS:10500), on regular and long-term basis.

At the start the Mission, only 3.23 Crore (16.7%) rural households were reported to have tap water connections. So far, as reported by States/ UTs as on 17.03.2025, under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) – Har Ghar Jal around 12.30 Crore additional rural households have been provided with tap water connections. Thus, as on 17.03.2025, out of 19.36 Crore rural households in the country, more than 15.53 Crore (80.20%) households are reported to have tap water supply in their homes and works for the remaining 3.83 Crore households are at various stages of completion as per saturation plan of the respective State/ UT.

The initial estimated outlay of the Mission was Rs. 3.60 lakh Crore, out of which Central share was Rs. 2.08 lakh Crore. Almost entire Central share approved by the Cabinet has been utilized. Further, Hon'ble Finance Minister during her budget speech 2025- 26 has announced extension of Jal Jeevan Mission until 2028 with an enhanced total outlay.

Water being a State subject, the responsibility of planning, approval, implementation, operation, and maintenance of drinking water supply schemes, lies with State/ UT Governments. States/ UTs have been advised, through numerous review meetings, field visits, etc., to ensure functionality of tap water connections provided inter alia including quality of water supplied as per JJM standards (BIS:10500).

In addition, up to 2% of the allocation to States/ UTs for Water Quality Monitoring and Surveillance (WQM&S) activities which inter-alia includes setting up of and upgrading existing water quality laboratories at various levels, providing chemicals and consumables to laboratories, procurement of equipment’s, instruments, chemicals/ reagents, glassware, consumables, procurement of Field Test Kits (FTKs)/ H₂S vials for chemical (including chloride) and bacteriological water quality surveillance at grass root level and NABL accreditation/ recognition  of laboratories,  etc.

States have been advised to conduct water quality tests using FTKs/ bacteriological vials for common parameters along with area specific parameters including Arsenic and Fluoride at Schools, anganwadis and Gram Panchayat (GP) level for early identification of water borne risks. State to identify and train 5 women from local community to conduct water quality tests using FTKs/ bacteriological vials at Gram Panchayat (GP) level.

Moreover, States/ UTs have also been advised to undertake testing of water quality on a periodic basis and take remedial action wherever necessary, to ensure that the water supplied to households is of prescribed quality.

Year-wise reported details of drinking water samples tested in labs and using FTKs by the States/ UTs in last year and current year (till 17.03.2025) are as under:

This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI SHRI V. SOMANNA in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

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DHANYA SANAL K

(Lok Sabha US Q3287)