NON-COMPLIANCE OF BIS FOR DRINKING WATER QUALITY

2025-08-18 Information

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. At the time of announcement of JJM, 3.23 Crore (17%) rural households were reported to have tap water connections. So far, as reported by States/ UTs as on 14.08.2025, around 12.45 crore additional rural households have been provided with tap water connections. Thus, as on 14.08.2025, out of 19.36 crore rural households, more than 15.68 crore (81%) households are reported to have tap water supply in their homes.

Drinking Water being a state subject, the responsibility of planning, approval, implementation, operation, and maintenance of drinking water supply schemes, including those under the Jal Jeevan Mission, lies with State/UT Governments. The Government of India supplements the States by providing technical and financial assistance. Under JJM, as per existing guidelines, Bureau of Indian Standards’ BIS:10500 standards are adopted as benchmark for quality of water being supplied through the piped water supply schemes. BIS specifies ‘acceptable limit’ and ‘permissible limit in the absence of alternate source’ for various physio-chemical and bacteriological parameters for drinking water quality.

In consultation with various stakeholders ‘Concise Handbook for Monitoring Water Quality of Piped Drinking Water Supply to Rural Households’ has been released in December 2024 for guidance to States/ UT’s. This handbook recommended for a comprehensive testing of drinking water samples at various testing points such as source, treatment plant, storage and distribution points, and remedial action wherever necessary, to ensure that the water supplied to households is of prescribed quality. The recommended remedial action inter alia includes cleaning of overhead tanks in case of contamination.

Citizens can submit complaints/grievances through the Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) at pgportal.gov.in, the Department’s website at jalshakti-ddws.gov.in, and other physical channels.

A ‘Citizen Corner’ was also developed on the JJM Dashboard. The corner included display of village level water quality test results in the public domain to further create awareness and build confidence among people about the quality of water supplies through the PWS in rural areas.

At the time of the launch, the Government also approved support for the States/ UTs with a central outlay of ₹2,08,652 crore which has almost been utilized. Hon’ble Finance Minister during budget speech 2025 announced the extension of JJM until 2028 with enhanced outlay for completing the remaining works under JJM by prioritizing the quality of infrastructure and Operations and Maintenance (O&M) of rural piped water supply schemes through “Jan Bhagidhari” to ensure sustainability and citizen-centric water service delivery.

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