Parliament Question: Drinking Water Shortage in Maharashtra

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6389 ANSWERED ON 02.04.2026 DRINKING WATER SHORTAGE IN MAHARASHTRA †6389. DR. SHIVAJI BANDAPPA KALGE: SHRI NILESH DNYANDEV LANKE: Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has identified blocks in Maharashtra that have been facing long-term drinking water shortages due to groundwater depletion or contaminated sources and if so, the details thereof; (b) the number of multi-village schemes in Maharashtra that have been delayed due to land-related issues, contractor failure or lack of sustainable water sources; (c) whether the contamination due to fluoride, iron, salinity or bacteria is affecting drinking water in some parts of the States and if so, the details thereof; and (d) the details of the special measures proposed by the Government to address recurring water shortages in such water-stressed areas? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI (SHRI V. SOMANNA) (a) Water Supply and Sanitation Department, Govt. of Maharashtra has reported that as per the study conducted by the Central Ground Water Board, 7 blocks across 4 districts in Maharashtra fall under the over-exploited category, 5 blocks across 3 districts fall under the critical category, and 40 blocks across 10 districts fall under the semi-critical category. There is no block with long term drinking water shortage due to contaminated sources has been reported so far. (b) As reported by the state, total 1,790 multi-village schemes are under implementation in Maharashtra, out of which 595 schemes have been completed as of 28.03.2026. The remaining 1,195 schemes are in progress and delayed due to multiple reasons, out of which 24 schemes from the Zilla Parishad and 65 schemes from the Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran are delayed mainly due to land issues. Additionally, 5 schemes from the Zilla Parishad and 35 schemes from the Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran are delayed due to slow progress by contractors. No multi village scheme is reported to be delayed due to issues related to sustainable water sources. Page 1 of 2(c) As reported by the state, salinity testing is not carried out by the water supply and sanitation department of the state. Contamination due to fluoride and iron is found in 237 and 77 villages, respectively. Further, it has been reported that bacteriological contamination due to E coli and Total coliform is found in 2597 & 4222 villages, respectively. The states have been advised to undertake remedial action as per 'Concise Handbook for Monitoring Water Quality of Piped Drinking Water Supply to Rural Households’ that has been released in December 2024 for guidance to States/ UTs. The following mechanism are in place under JJM to ensure quality of piped water supplied to households, including regular testing for contaminants: i) Under Jal Jeevan Mission, as per existing guidelines, Bureau of Indian Standards’ BIS:10500 standards are adopted as benchmarks for quality of water being supplied through the piped water supply schemes. ii) To enable States/ UTs to test water samples for water quality, and for sample collection, reporting, monitoring and surveillance of drinking water sources, an online JJM–Water Quality Management Information System (WQMIS) portal has been developed. The State–wise details of water quality test reported through WQMIS are available in public domain and can be accessed at: https://ejalshakti.gov.in/WQMIS/Main/report iii) In order to empower the communities to monitor the water quality, States/ UTs have also been advised to identify and train persons, preferably women, in every village to conduct water quality testing using Field Test Kits (FTKs)/ bacteriological vials at village level and report the same on the WQMIS portal. (d) Drinking water is a state subject and the power to plan, design, approve and implement drinking water supply schemes/projects is vested in the State/UT Governments. Under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation provides financial, policy guidance and technical assistance to the States and Union Territories for implementing their drinking water supply schemes. Water being a State subject, steps for augmentation, conservation and efficient management of water resources are primarily undertaken by the respective State Governments. Under JJM, provisions have been made for drinking water source development/ strengthening/ augmentation; and infrastructure for bulk transfer of water, treatment and distribution systems in water deficit drought-prone and desert areas without dependable ground water sources, apart from creation of in-village water supply infrastructure. To achieve drinking water security, every village has to prepare a Village Action Plan including augmentation and strengthening of drinking water sources to be taken up in convergence with other schemes at village level viz. Finance Commission tied grants to Rural Local Bodies (RLBs)/ PRIs, Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP), State schemes, District Mineral Development Fund, CSR funds, community contribution, etc. ***** Page 2 of 2