As informed by Central Ground Water Board,Arsenic contamination is understood to be of geogenic origin, resulting from release of Arsenic from soil/ aquifer material under conditions conducive to its dissolution from solid phase to liquid phase. To make provision of potable tap water supply to every rural household in the country including Arsenic-affected habitations by 2024, since August, 2019, JalJeevan Mission (JJM) is being implemented in partnership with States.

      Under JJM, while allocating the funds to States/ UTs, 10% weightage is given to the population residing in habitations affected by chemical contaminants which inter alia includes Arsenic.Under JJM, while planning for potable tap water supply to households, priority is given to quality-affected habitations.

As reported by States, as on date, State–wise number of habitations reported to have Arsenic contamination in drinking water sources, is annexed.

To provide potable tap water in villages with water quality issues and non-availability of suitable surface water source in nearby areas, under JalJeevan Mission, provisions have been made to enable States/ UTs to consider bulk water transfer from safe surface water source(s) and take up water distribution network. Since, planning, implementation and commissioning of piped water supply scheme based on safe surface water source takes time, purely as an interim measure, States/ UTs have been advised to install community water purification plants (CWPPs) especially in Arsenic and Fluoride affected habitations to provide potable water to every household at the rate of 8 – 10 litres per capita per day (lpcd) to meet their drinking and cooking requirements.

This Information was given by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti, ShriPrahlad Singh Patelin a written  reply in Rajya Sabha today.

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Annex

Detail of Arsenic-affected habitations           

                                                                                                (as on 9.12.2021)

Source: JJM-IMIS

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BY/AS