Executive Summary:
This document summarizes the Indian government's response to questions regarding a national framework for real-time water quality index (WQI) monitoring. The response, delivered in Lok Sabha on July 31, 2025, clarifies the current status of WQI monitoring, testing, and public awareness initiatives. It outlines the roles of various departments and missions, including AMRUT and Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), in ensuring water quality and promoting community engagement.
Key Points / Main Content:
Current Water Quality Index (WQI) Monitoring:
* There is no standardized mechanism to compute and publicly display a WQI similar to the Air Quality Index (AQI).
* WQI is not currently monitored and published in a timely and granular manner at the city, district, or ward level.
Water Quality Testing:
* Water management and quality are the responsibility of State Governments/ULBs, following BIS 10500:2012 standards for drinking water and CPCB norms for wastewater.
* AMRUT 2.0 does not prescribe separate guidelines for water quality but advocates monitoring and compliance with existing standards.
* Under JJM (2025-26), 24.89 lakh samples from 3.92 lakh villages have been tested in water quality testing laboratories, and 21.92 lakh samples from 1.52 lakh villages have been tested using Field Testing Kits (FTK).
* Village-wise water quality test reports are publicly accessible through the Citizen Corner on the JJM Dashboard.
Real-Time WQI Framework:
* The Department does not presently contemplate a WQI based on naturally available water because water is generally treated before consumption.
Public Awareness and Community Engagement:
* The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation is actively promoting community engagement through village-level water testing conducted by women FTK users.
* School and Anganwadi students are involved in water quality testing within their institutions, supported by training programs led by trained women FTK users.
* AMRUT Division (MoHUA) trains and mobilizes Self-Help Groups (SHGs) for water quality testing and infrastructure management.
* The "AMRUT Mitra" initiative under AMRUT 2.0 focuses on SHG involvement and women empowerment in water sector, including household-level water quality testing using FTKs.
Impact Analysis:
State Governments/Urban Local Bodies (ULBs):
* Impact: Responsible for managing water quality according to BIS and CPCB standards.
* Action Required: Monitor and ensure compliance with water quality standards in urban areas.
Citizens/Communities:
* Impact: Access to village-wise water quality test reports via the JJM Dashboard.
* Action Required: Engage in community-based water testing programs, utilize available resources to understand local water quality.
Women Field Testing Kit (FTK) Users:
* Impact: Play a crucial role in conducting village-level water testing and training school/Anganwadi students.
* Action Required: Continue conducting tests and training programs, raise awareness about cleanliness and water quality.
School/Anganwadi Students:
* Impact: Involved in water quality testing within their institutions.
* Action Required: Participate in training programs and take responsibility for maintaining water quality in their communities.
Self-Help Groups (SHGs):
* Impact: Trained and mobilized for water quality testing and infrastructure management under AMRUT 2.0.
* Action Required: Conduct household-level water quality testing using FTKs and participate in the "AMRUT Mitra" initiative.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Jal Shakti: The Indian government ministry responsible for water resources and sanitation.
Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM): A government initiative to provide safe and adequate drinking water to all rural households by 2024.
AMRUT 2.0: A Mission by Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs; focuses on providing basic services to urban areas including water supply.
Water Quality Index (WQI): A measure of water quality based on several parameters, similar to the Air Quality Index (AQI).
BIS 10500:2012: Applicable standards for drinking water.
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB): An organization responsible for setting waste water quality norms.
Jal Jeevan Mission Water Quality Management Information System (WQMIS): A system used by States/UTs to report data related to water quality testing under the Jal Jeevan Mission.
Field Testing Kit (FTK): Kits used for conducting on-site water quality testing.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI
DEPARTMENT OF DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2038
ANSWERED ON 31/07/2025
NATIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR REAL-TIME WATER QUALITY INDEX
MONITORING
2038. SHRI TANGELLA UDAY SRINIVAS:
Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has any standardised mechanism to compute and publicly display a
Water Quality Index (WQI) similar to the Air Quality Index (AQI) and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether WQI is currently monitored and published in a timely and granular manner at the city,
district or ward level, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
(c) the number of urban local bodies and rural habitations where regular water quality testing is
carried out;
(d) whether results of the said tests are made publicly accessible and if so, the details thereof;
(e) whether the Government proposes to create a real-time WQI framework integrated with digital
dashboards, IoT-based sensors and citizen feedback and if so, the details thereof along with the
timeline fixed for the implementation; and
(f) whether any public awareness initiatives or school/community-based testing programmes are
being considered to build local engagement with water safety standards and if so, the details
thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI
(SHRI V. SOMANNA)
(a) No.
(b) No in view of the answer to (a) above.
(c) and (d) As informed by AMRUT Division, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA),
Water being a state subject, management and maintaining the quality of water and water bodies as
per the applicable standards (BIS 10500:2012 standards for drinking water and for waste water
quality norms set by CPCB) in urban areas are the responsibility of State Government/ ULBs.
AMRUT/AMRUT 2.0 does not prescribe separate guidelines for water quality. However, the
Mission guidelines advocates to monitor and ensure compliance with water quality standards in
urban areas.
Page 1 of 2Under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), as reported by States/ UTs on Jal Jeevan Mission - Water
Quality Management Information System (WQMIS), so far during 2025-26, as on date, 24.89 lakh
samples from 3.92 lakh villages have been tested and reported in water quality testing laboratories
and 21.92 lakh samples from 1.52 lakh villages have been tested and reported using Field Testing
Kits in State’s/UTs respectively.
The village-wise water quality test reports are made available in public domain through ‘Citizen
Corner’ on JJM Dashboard and can be accessed at:
https://ejalshakti.gov.in/jjmreport/JJMIndia.aspx
The details of water quality test reported through WQMIS can be accessed at:
https://ejalshakti.gov.in/WQMIS/Main/report
(e) Based on the purport of the question, it is informed that whereas air is inhaled (consumed)
directly without any treatment/ polishing from its ambient quality, the water in rarest of the cases
is consumed directly as it is found in nature. In almost all cases the primary treatment/ disinfection
is done to make it potable and hence WQI based on naturally available water is presently not
contemplated by this Department.
(f) To enhance public awareness, the department of drinking water and sanitation has taken several
initiatives focused on community engagement. These initiatives include encouraging village-level
water testing conducted by women Field Testing Kit (FTK) users. These programs aim to raise
awareness about the importance of cleanliness and its impact on water quality and overall health.
Additionally, the department actively involves school/ AWC students in conducting water quality
testing within their institutions. To support these efforts, the department has launched a training
program specifically designed for school and Anganwadi students, facilitated by trained women
FTK users. This program not only empowers students with essential skills but also fosters a sense
of responsibility for maintaining water quality in their communities.
As also informed by AMRUT Division, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), to
ensure community participation, Self-Help Groups (SHGs) are trained and mobilized for water
quality testing and infrastructure management. The "AMRUT Mitra" initiative under AMRUT 2.0
focuses on the active involvement of SHGs and women empowerment in the water sector. These
groups are trained to conduct household-level water quality testing using field testing kits. This
decentralized monitoring enhances local awareness about water quality, and fosters a sense of
responsibility among residents.
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