Despite launching a 100-day campaign for 100% water coverage by the Jal Shakti Ministry in October 2020, only half of government schools and anganwadis are equipped with tap water supply. The information, provided to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Water Resources, also noted the progress of the flagship Jal Jeevan Mission.
The Campaign’s Aims and Progress
The campaign was launched on Gandhi Jayanti, 2nd October 2020, with potable piped water supply for drinking and cooking purposes as its primary aim. It also intended to provide tap water for hand washing and in toilets in every school, anganwadi, and residential tribal school (ashramshala). The 100-day period should have concluded on 10th January 2021, but some states and Union Territories indicated a need for more time for completion and sustainability. As a result, the campaign was extended until 31st March 2021.
Current Findings
Recent findings show that only 48.5% of anganwadis and 53.3% of schools have a tap water supply. The situation is particularly bleak in Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, where less than 8% and 11% of schools have access to it, respectively. Only 2-6% of anganwadis in Assam, Jharkhand, U.P., Chhattisgarh, and Bengal have tap water. Meanwhile, seven states – Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Punjab – have achieved 100% coverage. Additionally, around 1.82 lakh grey water management structures and 1.42 lakh rainwater harvesting structures have been built in schools and anganwadi centres.
Risks Posed by Water Contamination
Children are particularly vulnerable to waterborne diseases like Diarrhea, Cholera, and Typhoid, especially during the pandemic when repeated hand washing is necessary. Furthermore, lack of potable drinking water can lead to nutritional issues and other health hazards in children.
About the Jal Jeevan Mission
The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) aims to supply 55 litres of water per person per day to every rural household through Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTC) by 2024. The mission prioritises both demand and supply-side management of water at the local level, and includes mandatory measures like rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, and household wastewater management for reuse. It involves a community-oriented approach to water and extensive information, education, and communication.
Funding Pattern
The funding pattern divides the shares between the Centre and states as 90:10 for Himalayan and North-Eastern States, 50:50 for other states, and 100% for Union Territories. In the Budget 2021-22, Jal Jeevan Mission (Urban) was announced to provide universal water supply coverage to all households through functional taps in all statutory towns.
Committee Suggestions
The Standing Committee noted that merely providing tap connections without ensuring assured water availability would not fulfil the mission’s objective. Consequently, it suggested real-time monitoring of water supply at the district level and urged the central government to urgently set up water purification or reverse osmosis plants to prevent children from suffering due to contaminated drinking water.
Grey Water
Grey water refers to wastewater produced from household chores such as dishwashing, laundry, and bathing. It often contains harmful bacteria and fecal matter with the potential to contaminate soil and groundwater.
