Parliament Question: Drinking Water Supply and Climate-resilient Infrastructure in Uttarakhand

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2188 ANSWERED ON 12.02.2026 DRINKING WATER SUPPLY AND CLIMATE-RESILIENT INFRASTRUCTURE IN UTTARAKHAND 2188. SHRI TRIVENDRA SINGH RAWAT Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is aware that several hilly and disaster-prone districts of Uttarakhand continue to face seasonal drinking water shortages, source depletion, pipeline damage due to landslides and water quality issues despite significant progress under the Jal Jeevan Mission as reported in recent assessments; (b) if so, the details and the status of Functional Household Tap Connections, water quality monitoring results and source sustainability measures in Uttarakhand, district-wise; (c) the steps taken by the Government to strengthen climate-resilient drinking water infrastructure including gravity-based schemes, rainwater harvesting, spring rejuvenation and real-time monitoring in remote hilly areas; and (d) whether any additional financial assistance, technical support or any special dispensation is proposed for Uttarakhand considering its fragile Himalayan ecology and recurring natural disasters and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI (SHRI V. SOMANNA) (a) Drinking water is a State subject. The power to plan, design, approve and implement drinking water supply schemes/projects lies with State Government. Government of India, in partnership with States/UTs is implementing Jal Jeevan Mission, since August, 2019, to make provision of tap water supply to every rural household. 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. As reported by the State Government, the State Government is aware that in several hilly and disaster-prone districts of Uttarakhand, despite significant progress under the Jal Jeevan Mission, seasonal drinking water shortages, depletion of water sources, damage to pipelines due to landslides, and issues related to drinking water quality continue to persist in certain areas. To address these challenges, the Government is undertaking necessary measures including strengthening and Page 1 of 5conservation of water sources, development of alternative drinking water sources, timely repair of damaged infrastructure, regular water quality testing, and strengthening of operation and maintenance (O&M) arrangements. (b) To enable States/ UTs to test water samples for water quality, and for sample collection, reporting, monitoring and surveillance of drinking water, an online JJM – Water Quality Management Information System (WQMIS) portal has been developed. The quality monitoring system includes regular testing via Field Testing Kits (FTKs) and Laboratory Testing: Utilizing a network of 28 regional and district laboratories for detailed chemical and bacteriological analysis. In 2025-26, as per JJM WQMIS, a total of 80,856 samples were tested in Labs for chemical parameters, 89,187 samples were tested for bacteriological parameters. The State–wise details of water quality test reported through WQMIS are available in public domain on JJM Dashboard and can be accessed at https://ejalshakti.gov.in/WQMIS/Main/report. Furthermore, as on 11.02.2026, the district-wise status of provision of Household Tap Connections and Water quality testing status in Uttarakhand is at Annex I & Annex II. (c) State Government has reported that the State has taken key measures to strengthen Climate- Resilient Drinking Water Infrastructure. The details of these steps are as under: i) Source Sustainability and Conservation: Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, the identification, conservation, and augmentation of water sources have been made mandatory components. At the village level, the mission includes ensuring the conservation of water sources (through rainwater harvesting and recharge structures), groundwater recharging, and water sanitation, under these initiatives. ii) Decentralized and Localized Schemes: In hilly terrains, where gravity-based systems are adopted. In remote and densely forested areas the local geomorphological conditions are taken into design consideration. This approach ensures that in disaster-prone regions, the supply is not solely dependent on vulnerable electrical grids but relies on gravity-based distribution to enhance resilience. iii) Digital Monitoring of assets: For advanced technologies are being implemented to enable real- time tracking of status of the Water Supply Network: Monitoring the pumping schemes in certain areas on pilot basis. On the PM Gati shakti platform the entire piped water supply system is being mapped to record all the assets of water supply scheme. The tools like ‘Jal Seva Ankalan’ are being used to capture the functionality of schemes directly from Local bodies and take remedial action by District water and sanitation Mission. (d) As per the instructions of Ministry of Finance during the Mission period, the operational guidelines for the implementation of the JJM provided 25% of the Scheme's annual allocation of funds to the States could be used as flexi-funds. For meeting the immediate requirement of funds Page 2 of 5for post disaster recovery works, flexi-funds available with States under JJM could be used. States/ UTs are advised to set aside at least 5% of the annual allocation under JJM to take care of unforeseen challenges/ issues arising out of natural disasters/ calamities and internal disturbances, which might be used by the State for coverage at the flag end of the financial year, if remain unutilized. Further, as informed by the State Government, the State Government has constituted a State-level Spring and River Rejuvenation Authority (SARRA) to address the adverse impacts of climate change and human activities on natural water sources and river flows, identification of critical sources, providing technical solutions and monitoring. ***** Page 3 of 5Annex I Annexure referred to in reply to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2188 answered on 12.02.2026. Status of tap water connections as on 11.02.2026 S. District Total Rural Total household % of total household No. Households connection reported connections with PWS till date reported till date 1. Almora 1,26,063 1,16,506 92.42 2. Bageshwar 54,659 54,659 100.00 3. Chamoli 76,716 76,638 99.90 4. Champawat 45,086 45,000 99.81 5. Dehradun 1,29,491 1,29,449 99.97 6. Haridwar 2,49,303 2,40,751 96.57 7. Nainital 1,14,156 1,07,083 93.80 8. Pauri Garhwal 1,11,552 1,10,723 99.26 9. Pithoragarh 94,474 94,137 99.64 10. Rudra Prayag 54,880 54,847 99.94 11. Tehri Garhwal 1,29,045 1,28,689 99.72 12. Udam Singh 1,97,905 1,94,788 98.43 Nagar 13. Uttar Kashi 65,013 65,002 99.98 Total 14,48,343 14,18,272 97.92 Page 4 of 5Annex II Annexure referred to in reply to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2188 answered on 12.02.2026. Water quality testing Status during 2025-26 as on 11.02.2026 No. of samples tested in laboratory District Tested for chemical Tested for bacteriological parameters parameters Almora 7,003 8,196 Bageshwar 2,870 3,113 Chamoli 5,955 6,399 Champawat 2,475 2,477 Dehradun 5,856 7,367 Haridwar 3,309 3,779 Nainital 7,796 8,364 Pauri Garhwal 13,614 13,878 Pithoragarh 5,694 7,014 Rudra Prayag 3,551 3,552 Tehri Garhwal 12,143 13,407 Udam Singh Nagar 4,516 4,705 Uttar Kashi 6,074 6,936 Total 80,856 89,187 Source: JJM-IMIS Page 5 of 5