Parliament Question: Water Scarcity and Drinking Water Stress in Northern Kerala

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. – 2147 ANSWERED ON 12/02/2026 WATER SCARCITY AND DRINKING WATER STRESS IN NORTHERN KERALA 2147. SHRI RAJMOHAN UNNITHAN: Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is aware that several areas in northern Kerala including Kasaragod district face recurring drinking water scarcity during the summer season and if so, the details thereof; (b) whether it is a fact that inadequate surface water conservation and groundwater recharge have aggravated the situation and if so, the details thereof; (c) whether any district-specific assessment of drinking water stress has been undertaken and if so, the details and the findings thereof; (d) whether Central schemes for drinking water supply and water conservation are being effectively implemented in the said region and if so, the details thereof; and (e) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to ensure sustainable and equitable access to safe drinking water? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI (SHRI V. SOMANNA) (a) to (c) 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. At the start of JJM, only 0.39 lakh (15%) rural households were reported to have tap water connections in the Kasaragod District of Kerala. So far, as reported by the state, more than 0.47 lakh additional rural households have been provided with tap water connections. Thus, as on 28.01.2026, out of 2.54 lakh rural households in the district, more than 0.86 lakh (33.9%) households are reported to have tap water connections in their homes. Water being a state subject, the responsibility of planning, approval, implementation, operation, and maintenance of drinking water supply schemes, including those under the JJM, as well as for augmentation, conservation and efficient management of water resources lies with State/UT Governments. The Government of India supports the States by providing technical and financial assistance. Ministry of Jal Shakti has been implementing Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA) since 2019. JSA: CTR, with its sixth edition implemented in all the districts (rural as well as urban) of the country including the state of Kerala under the theme “Jal Sanchay, Jan Bhagidari: Jan Page 1 of 2Jagrukta Ki Or”, emphasizing community participation and water conservation awareness. The campaign emphasizes convergent financing and active community participation to ensure maximum impact. To achieve effective inter-sectoral convergence among Ministries for constructing artificial recharge structures, the Government has implemented a multi-pronged strategy that leverages collaboration, resource optimization and institutional coordination. (d) and (e) Development of reliable drinking water sources and/ or augmentation of existing sources to provide long-term sustainability of water supply system in villages, is an integral part of JJM. To achieve this objective, following provisions have been made in operational guidelines for the implementation of JJM: i.) Any water supply scheme undertaken under JJM is approved only after the recommendation of a Source Finding Committee of the respective State Government, to the effect that the identified water source through which the scheme is planned, has sufficient yield for sustaining water supply as per required norm, for the scheme design period; ii.) Development/ strengthening/ augmentation of drinking water sources; and infrastructure for bulk transfer of water, treatment, and distribution systems in water deficit, drought-prone and desert areas without dependable ground water sources; and iii.) Strengthening of drinking water sources in convergence with other schemes such as VB-G RAM G, Finance Commission grants to rural local bodies/ PRIs, MP & MLA’s Local Area Development Fund, District Mineral Foundation (DMF) Fund, CSR fund, etc. Further, Jal Shakti Abhiyan – Catch the rain campaign, in its different editions, focused on water conservation and rainwater harvesting structures, renovation of traditional water bodies, reuse and recharge structures, watershed development, etc. To ensure equitable access to safe drinking water, JJM follows the principle of “no one is left out” and accords priority to water-scarce, drought-prone, desert, quality-affected, tribal and Aspirational districts, SC/ST majority villages, JE-AES affected districts and Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana villages. ***** Page 2 of 2