On August 15, 2019, the Jal Jeevan Mission, also known as "Water for Every Home," was launched. This mission aims to provide safe and adequate drinking water to rural households. The vision of the Jal Jeevan Mission extends beyond merely delivering water; it also serves as a significant means of decentralization. The community-driven mission emphasizes women's empowermevnt, relying on public movement and participation. Today, India is a leading nation in the water sector, marked by increased investment and ambitious goals. The World Health Organization has indicated that ensuring water supply to every home could reduce the 4,00,000 deaths caused by diarrhea in India. The water crisis is a serious issue, making the Jal Jeevan Mission an essential program for the Indian government.
The Jal Jeevan Mission has been operational for five years, with a target to connect approximately 19 crores of rural households. Around 3.23 crore households had access to piped water at its launch, representing about 16.75% of the total. Over the past five years, we have achieved piped water supply to 15.107 crore households, translating to 78.17% coverage in rural areas. Additionally, reports indicate that approximately 2,35,000 villages now have piped water supply to every home. This statistic reflects not just the availability of water through taps but also signifies a major shift in the basic needs of everyday life. Access to clean drinking water is one of our most critical issues. Traditionally, water supply was considered a city-centric service, while rural residents relied on wells, ponds, and other local sources. There has never been a large-scale program targeting this issue in villages before.
One challenge is that while we have installed pipes, we must ensure the sustainability of our water sources. Most of our water supply comes from groundwater, which has been steadily declining across the country. Another challenge involves managing the drainage that occurs when taps are installed in homes. Lot of water is wasted from the taps. We must ensure proper management of this drainage. Ideally, we should rely primarily on surface water and maximise the storage of rainwater in groundwater.
When the program began in 2019, it was estimated that 15% of households requiring tap water would receive it from surface water, while 85% would rely on groundwater. Today, however, the data shows that this ratio has significantly changed. Currently, 48% of households are receiving water sourced from surface water, indicating a revolutionary shift. This change is crucial because sourcing water from surface water alleviates many issues associated with groundwater, reducing uncertainty and allowing for better management of the overall water system. Some states have even established 10-year plans for operation and maintenance, recognizing the long-term benefits of sustained efforts due to the scale of this initiative.
The common perception that villages can only rely on groundwater has been challenged by the Jal Jeevan Mission. This mission has introduced numerous schemes to ensure continuous water availability, and prioritizing consistency has also improved the focus on water quality. As of today, 2,160 laboratories have been established across the country for water testing, with results made available on the e-Jalshakti website dashboard, and accessible to the public. This allows people to check the purity of water in their villages through chemical or microbiological testing, thereby enhancing the reliability of the water being used.
When discussing overall development and the economy, much of it is water-centric. We need to consider how to preserve our water resources, such as rivers, ponds, and mountain springs. Groundwater and surface water serve as important indicators for us. The country utilizes about 48% surface water, which is often of better drinking quality compared to groundwater, which can contain contaminants like arsenic and fluoride that are difficult to remove.
Although surface water may appear somewhat unclean, it is generally easier to treat visible pollutants. Additionally, abundant surface water reflects the country's progress and serves as an indicator of development. Just as we seek greenery, the presence of surface water assures us that groundwater levels are likely to remain stable and not significantly deplete. Rivers, ponds, and surface water thus serve as indicators of our development. Moreover, we are effectively managing wastewater to ensure that our surface water bodies maintain the necessary quality. While we are treating water at home, I believe the government is also prioritizing the quality of our water resources.
A significant statistic indicates that providing water at home saves approximately 5.5 crore hours in rural areas, with 75% of that time being spent by women. This means that these saved hours can be redirected towards other productive activities. Additionally, around 5.00,000 women have been trained in water quality testing, and as of today, the Village Water and Sanitation Committee (VWSC) has been formed, with more than 50% of their members being women. This structure ensures substantial participation from women.
We should rely more on surface water, as this benefits not only us but also our livestock. By developing and decentralizing surface water resources—such as creating ponds and small rivers—the benefits extend beyond our daily lives to our animals, which are crucial to our economy. This is not just about health; it's also about livestock, and India's economy heavily depends on it. Therefore, the development of water resources also promotes livestock growth.
The Jal Jeevan Mission represents a transformative effort to ensure clean and safe drinking water for all, particularly in rural areas. By prioritizing sustainability, community involvement, and women's empowerment, this initiative not only addresses immediate water needs but also fosters long-term economic growth and social equity. As we continue to confront water-related challenges, the mission stands as a critical pillar for building a healthier, more equitable India, where access to water is recognized as a fundamental human right essential for the well-being of society and the economy.
(The author is an
Advocate by profession)