Parliament Question: Steps taken for water quality monitoring

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2631 ANSWERED ON 16/03/2026 STEPS TAKEN FOR WATER QUALITY MONITORING 2631. SHRI VIVEK K. TANKHA: Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state: (a) the steps being taken by Government to monitor the drinking quality of underground water and water supplied through pipelines; (b) whether any SoPs have developed, directions given to the States and any monitoring or social audit being done; (c) whether Government has received complaints pertaining to quality of water, if so, the details thereof; and (d) the percentage of the budget allocated to the Ministry towards water quality monitoring? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI (SHRI V. SOMANNA) (a) to (d) Jal Jeevan Mission is under implementation since August, 2019, to make provision of tap water supply to every rural household. Under JJM, as per existing guidelines, Bureau of Indian Standards’ BIS:10500 standards are adopted as benchmark for quality of water being supplied through the piped water supply schemes. Under JJM, to enable the States/ UTs for online reporting of water quality monitoring and surveillance including test reports of water samples for water quality, sample collection etc. for drinking water, an online JJM – Water Quality Management Information System (WQMIS) portal has also 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. In consultation with various stakeholders 'Concise Handbook for Monitoring Water Quality of Piped Drinking Water Supply to Rural Households’ has been released in December 2024 for guidance to States/ UT’s. This handbook recommended for a comprehensive testing of drinking water samples at various testing points such as source (both surface and ground water), treatment plant, storage and distribution points, and remedial action wherever necessary, to ensure that the water supplied to households is of prescribed quality. As per the handbook, Groundwater sources are recommended to be tested at least twice a year (at six-month intervals) for various chemical parameters. Drinking Water being a State subject, the responsibility of Planning, Designing, Approval, Implementation, Operation & Maintenance (O&M) of piped water supply schemes to provide tap water to rural households, lies with the respective State/UT Governments. The Government of India supplements the efforts of the States/ UTs by providing financial, policy guidance and Page 1 of 2technical assistance. As such, grievances/ complaints, etc. under JJM are coordinated for disposal at the State/ UT level. As per the Operational Guidelines, States/ UTs can utilize up to 2% of their annual allocation of funds under JJM for Water Quality Monitoring & Surveillance (WQM&S) activities, inter-alia, which includes setting up and strengthening of water quality testing laboratories, procurement of equipment, instruments, chemicals, glassware, consumables, hiring of skilled manpower, surveillance by community using field test kits (FTKs), awareness generation, educational programmes on water quality, accreditation/recognition of laboratories, etc. To ensure regular, adequate, and quality rural water supply, the Department launched "Jal Seva Aankalan" on 30 December 2025. Under this initiative, the Village Water & Sanitation Committee (VWSC) conducts village-level assessments. Following a Gram Sabha presentation, the Panchayat Secretary digitally submits the data on the JJM-IMIS Dashboard for ‘Har Ghar Jal’ villages. District and State authorities then review this information to identify service gaps and formulate effective improvement plans for sustainable water management. ***** Page 2 of 2