The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution has made public a Water Quality Report issued for State capitals and Delhi. In partnership with the Bureau of India Standards (BIS), the report delves into the quality of piped drinking water in these regions. This evaluation forms part of the Jal Jeevan Mission’s objective to supply tap water to all Indian households by 2024.
Key Tests and Findings
The study focused on several key parameters to assess the quality of the water. These tests included Organoleptic and Physical Tests, Chemical tests, Bacteriological tests, Toxic substance identification, Total Dissolve Solids (TDS), Turbidity, Total hardness, Total alkalinity, Minerals and metals presence, and the Presence of Coliform and E Coli.
Unfortunately, the majority of the samples did not meet the required standards in one or more parameters. The report highlighted that Mumbai’s tap water was the safest for consumption, whereas Delhi’s ranked among the worst.
Challenges Identified
The study revealed several challenges that need addressing. Firstly, there is a significant lack of initiatives in tap water systems, which can be attributed to the increasing reliance on packaged drinking water. Secondly, in fast-growing urban clusters where piped water systems are absent, there is an over-reliance on groundwater. Further, official agencies currently lack accountability, and there is a shortage of robust data in the public domain regarding quality testing.
| Challenges | Potential Solutions |
|---|---|
| Lack of initiatives in tap water systems | Increased investment and development in piped water infrastructure |
| Dependence on groundwater in urban areas | Establishment of piped water systems in fast-growing urban clusters |
| Lack of accountability of official agencies | Implementation of stringent regulations and accountability mechanisms |
| Absence of robust quality testing data | Increased transparency and publication of water quality data |
Proposed Ways Forward
To address these challenges, several measures should be adopted. First and foremost, agencies should be legally obliged to meet standards, thereby empowering consumers. State governments are also urged to take an integrated view of housing, water supply, sanitation, and waste management. The implementation of a scientific approach towards water management is equally important. It is suggested that a separate agency in each state should be responsible for regular testing; this would reduce reliance on a single authority.
Lastly, data on water should be made public, similar to air quality data. This move would put pressure on governments to act. As citizens become increasingly aware of the quality of their water, government institutions will need to redouble their efforts to ensure safe drinking water for all.
Source
The information referenced in this article was taken from Press Information Bureau (PIB).
