**Executive Summary**
The document is a response to a parliamentary question regarding drinking water issues in Kerala, specifically the status of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), reports of waterborne diseases, and measures to ensure water quality. As of January 27, 2026, 54.85% of rural households in Kerala have tap water connections under JJM. The response also addresses measures taken to prevent water contamination and disease outbreaks.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in Kerala:**
* Implemented since August 2019 to provide safe and adequate tap water connections to every rural household.
* As of August 15, 2019, 23.51% of rural households had tap water connections.
* As of January 27, 2026, 54.85% of rural households have tap water connections (38.81 lakh out of 70.77 lakh).
* Delays in implementation are attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, floods, heavy rains, shortage of funds, land acquisition issues, road cutting permissions, and agency clearances.
* **Waterborne Diseases:**
* No recent instances of Hepatitis A or other waterborne diseases conclusively linked to contamination of drinking water supplied by the Kerala Water Authority.
* A Hepatitis A incident was reported in the Vengoor area of Ernakulam district in April 2024, but water samples tested were within permissible quality standards and free from contamination. The area faced water scarcity and dependence on alternate sources.
* **Water Quality Measures:**
* Stringent measures have been taken to ensure the safety and quality of drinking water:
* Ensuring residual chlorine levels of not less than 0.2 ppm at end points.
* Regular inspection and repair of leakages in transmission and distribution pipelines.
* Periodic cleaning and chlorination of storage tanks, reservoirs and treatment plants.
* Multi-stage water quality testing at the source, treatment plant and distribution levels.
* **Preventive Actions:**
* Under JJM, water quality monitoring and surveillance (WQM&S) is prioritized.
* States/UTs have been advised to review disinfection status and take actions, including:
* Intensifying WQM&S through regular testing.
* Undertaking prompt remedial measures for contaminated water samples.
* Reviewing disinfection status in piped water supply schemes.
* **Additional Measures in Kerala:**
* Encouraging the use of treated drinking water.
* Prompt identification and rectification of leaks.
* Ensuring water quality surveillance and corrective action.
* Creating public awareness on safe water storage and use.
* Coordination with Health Department and Local Self-Government Institutions for early detection.
* Capacity building and regular training of operational staff.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Rural Households in Kerala**
* **Impact:** Increased access to tap water connections, improved water quality, and reduced risk of waterborne diseases.
* **Action Required:** Utilize tap water connections responsibly, practice safe water storage, and participate in public awareness campaigns.
**Stakeholder: Kerala State Government**
* **Impact:** Responsible for implementing and overseeing JJM, ensuring water quality, and responding to waterborne disease outbreaks.
* **Action Required:** Address implementation delays, maintain water quality measures, conduct surveillance for contamination, and coordinate with relevant departments and institutions.
**Stakeholder: Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation**
* **Impact:** Responsible for monitoring the JJM program, providing guidance to States/UTs, and ensuring water quality.
* **Action Required:** Continue advising States/UTs on disinfection and water quality measures, monitor progress, and provide support for effective implementation.
**Stakeholder: Kerala Water Authority**
* **Impact:** Responsible for water supply and quality within Kerala.
* **Action Required:** Ensure residual chlorine levels of not less than 0.2 ppm at end points; Regular inspection and prompt repair of leakages in transmission and distribution pipelines; Periodic cleaning and chlorination of storage tanks, reservoirs and treatment plants;Multi-stage water quality testing at the source, treatment plant and distribution levels.
Key Entities Referenced
Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM): A Government of India initiative implemented in partnership with States/UTs to provide safe and adequate tap water connection to every rural household.
Ministry of Jal Shakti: The central government ministry responsible for the Jal Jeevan Mission and addressing drinking water issues.
Kerala: The state where drinking water issues and the implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission are being addressed.
Kerala Water Authority: The state authority responsible for water supply and quality in Kerala.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI
DEPARTMENT OF DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 48
ANSWERED ON 29/01/2026
DRINKING WATER ISSUES IN KERALA
48. DR. SHASHI THAROOR:
Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:
(a) the current status of rural piped drinking water coverage under the Jal Jeevan Mission
(JJM) in Kerala and the reasons for delays in achieving full coverage compared to national
targets;
(b) whether instances of Hepatitis-A and other waterborne diseases reported recently in Kerala
have been linked to contamination of drinking water supplies and if so, the details and the
findings thereof;
(c) the measures being taken to ensure water quality in affected areas including super-
chlorination and repair of leakages in water distribution systems; and
(d) the steps proposed to be taken to prevent recurrence of such outbreaks in Kerala and across
the country due to water contamination?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI
(SHRI V. SOMANNA)
(a) Since August 2019, Government of India is implementing Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) – Har
Ghar Jal, in partnership with States/ UTs including Kerala, to make provision of safe and
adequate tap water connection to every rural household of the country.
As reported by the state of Kerala on JJM-IMIS, at the start of JJM on 15.08.2019, only
16.64 lakh (23.51%) rural households had tap water connections. Since then, around 22.17
lakh additional rural households have been provided with tap water connections. Thus, as
on 27.01.2026, out of 70.77 lakh rural households in state, the provision of tap water
connections is available to 38.81 lakh (54.85%) rural households.
As informed by the State government of Kerala, the delays in implementation of JJM are
due to factors such as the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, floods, heavy rains,
shortage in funds, delays in obtaining hindrance-free land, issues related to permissions
for road cutting and seasonal bans, delays in obtaining clearances from other agencies etc.
(b) As informed by State government of Kerala, no recent instances of Hepatitis A or other
waterborne diseases in Kerala have been conclusively linked to contamination of drinking
water supplied by the Kerala Water Authority. However, an incident was reported from
the Vengoor area of Ernakulam district in April 2024, where cases of Hepatitis A were
reported. Water samples were collected from pipelines and tested and found to be within
Page 1 of 2permissible quality standards and free from contamination. During this period, the area
was facing acute water scarcity due to drought, and residents were dependent on alternate
water sources, which may have contributed to the occurrence of the disease.
(c) As informed by state government of Kerala, stringent measures have been taken to ensure
the safety and quality of drinking water supplied to safeguard public health which includes:
i.) Ensuring residual chlorine levels of not less than 0.2 ppm at end points.
ii.) Regular inspection and prompt repair of leakages in transmission and distribution
pipelines are undertaken to prevent contamination.
iii.) Periodic cleaning and chlorination of storage tanks, reservoirs and treatment plants are
carried out as per prescribed intervals.
iv.) Multi-stage water quality testing is conducted at the source, treatment plant and
distribution levels through the in-house quality wing of Kerala Water Authority.
(d) Under JJM, water quality monitoring and surveillance (WQM&S) has been given utmost
priority. Through various communications, review meetings, workshops and conferences,
this department has advised States/ UTs to review the status of disinfection being done in
piped water supply schemes. An advisory has also been issued highlighting the following
actions to be taken by States/ UTs for protecting everyone’s health from waterborne
diseases:
i.) Intensify WQM&S by doing regular testing pipe water supply at various testing points
as recommended in “Concise Handbook for Monitoring Water Quality of Piped Water
Supply to Rural Households", released by Department in December 2024;
ii.) Undertake prompt appropriate remedial measures for all water samples reported
contaminated to ensure that quality of water being supplied through household tap
water connections in all habitations, is of prescribed quality; and
iii.) Review status of disinfection being done in piped drinking water supply schemes in
State for protection against bacteriological contamination and to prevent re-growth of
pathogens in distribution system till point of delivery for consumption.
Furthermore, state government of Kerala is also taking following measures to prevent
recurrence of water borne disease outbreaks such as Hepatitis A, amoebic infections and
similar illnesses:
i.) Encouraging the use of treated drinking water and discouraging unsafe alternate
sources.
ii.) Prompt identification and rectification of leaks and other potential risks of
contamination to ensure uninterrupted safe water supply.
iii.) Ensure water quality surveillance in all schemes and taking corrective action.
iv.) Creating public awareness on safe storage and use of drinking water, particularly
during periods of water scarcity.
v.) Coordination with Health Department and Local Self-Government Institutions for
early detection and rapid response to disease outbreaks.
vi.) Capacity building and regular training of operational staff on water safety and
emergency response.
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