most important topic for more clearance of water quality standards which covers latest Indian and WHO guidelines and provides a real scenario of water standards in India and the recent advances made for purification of water in India and worldwide. The presentation is little bit lengthy but deals with all required aspects in short.

1. Dr. Vikas Gupta
Junior Resident
Deptt. Of Community Medicine
PGIMS, Rohtak

2. Next to air, water is a necessity of life. We
cannot live without it for more than a few day,
just as without air we cannot live for more than
a few minutes. Therefore, as in case of air
nature has provided us with ample amount of
water. Drinking water must be pure…..
MAHATMA GANDHI.
Next to air, water is a necessity of life. We
cannot live without it for more than a few
day, just as without air we cannot live for
more than a few minutes. Therefore, as in
case of air nature has provided us with
ample amount of water. Drinking water must
be pure…..
MAHATMA GANDHI.

3. • INTRODUCTION
• PROBLEM STATEMENT: WORLD AND INDIA
• FRAMEWORK FOR SAFE DRINKING WATER
• GUIDELINE VALUES
• PROGRAMMES FOR SAFE WATER

4. • In 1981, 34th WHA in a resolution emphasized that safe
drinking water is a basic element of “primary health”
care which is a key to the attainment of “health for all”.
• A report prepared by the World Health Organization in
cooperation with the World Bank showed that in 1975,
some 1230 million people were without safe water
supplies. These appalling facts were central to the
United Nations decision to declare an International
Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation decade,
beginning in 1981.

5. • Further, the VI Five-Year Plan of India(1980-85) had made a
special provision for availability of safe Drinking water for
the masses. Therefore, the standard was prepared with the
objective of assessing the quality of water resources, and to
check the effectiveness of water treatment and supply by
the concerned authorities.
• Routine surveillance of drinking water supplies must be
carried out by the relevant authorities to understand the
risk of specific pathogens and to define proper control
procedures.
• Precautions/care should be taken to prevent contamination
of drinking water from chlorine resistant parasites such as
cryptosporidium species and giardia.

6. • Free from pathogenic agents and harmful
chemical substances and excessive amount of
minerals which could produce undesirable
physiological effects,
• Pleasant to the taste i.e. free from colour and
odour and
• Usable for domestic purposes.

7. Further, the VI Five-Year Plan of India(1980-85) had made a special
provision for availability of safe Drinking water for the masses.
Therefore, the standard was prepared with the objective of assessing
the quality of water resources, and to check the effectiveness of water
treatment and supply by the concerned authorities.
Safe water pleasant to taste, odour, colourless, and does not stain
clothes and utensils.
A per capita availability of less than 1700 cubic metres (m3) per year is
termed as a water-stressed condition while per capita availability below
1000 (m3) per year is termed as a water scarcity condition.

8. Rural
≥40Lpcd,
source should
be - 1.6 Km
and <100 m
elevation
difference in
hilly area
1 hand
pump/250
persons+ 30L
additional
water in
DDP(desert
developmant
programme)
for cattle
Urban
piped supply
without
sewerage – 70
Lpcd
piped supply
with sewerage
– 135Lpcd
metropolitan
– 150 Lpcd
public stand
post- 40Lpcd

9. 3L •Drinking
5L •Cooking
7L •Washing utensils/ house
15L •Bathing
10L •Ablution/ toilets

11. Domestic
use 8%
Industrial
use 22%
Agricultural use
70%
Domestic use
8%
Industrial use
10%
Agricultural
use 82%
Domestic use
11%
Agricultural
use 30%
Industrial use
59%

13. Water-associated infectious diseases claim up to 32 lac lives
each year, approximately 6% of all deaths globally and the
loss of greater than 750 lac healthy life years.
The lack of adequate sanitation and safe water has
significant negative health impacts including diarrhoea,
referred to by travellers as the "Delhi Belly" and experienced
by about 1 crore visitors annually.

14. 0
5000
10000
15000
20000
25000
30000
35000
DALYs (000s) by diarhoeal disease in WHO Regions, estimates for 2004

15. NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CHOLERA AND ENTERIC DISEASES, KOLKATA

16. •
•
•
GOAL 7 : Ensure
environment stability.
TARGET 7.C : Halve the
proportion of people
without sustainable
access to safe drinking
water and basic
sanitation by 2015 .
INDICATOR 7.8 :
Proportion of population
with sustainable access
to an improved water
source in urban and
rural.

17. • Over the past 21 years, > 210 crore people gained access to
improved drinking water sources since 1990, exceeding the
MDG target.
• The proportion of the global population using improved
sources reached 89% in 2010, up from 76% in 1990.
• Drinking water coverage has increased in all regions except
the Caucasus and Central Asia. There, coverage rates
dropped from 89% in 1990 to 86%in 2011.
• Despite unprecedented progress, 76.8 crore people still
drew water from an unimproved source in 2011.

18. • 83% of the population without access to an improved drinking
water source (63.6 crore) live in rural areas.
• 38% of the 620 crore people globally using an improved drinking
water source do not enjoy the convenience and associated health
and economic benefits of piped drinking water at home.
• It is encouraging to note that the share of people relying on
untreated surface water as their main drinking water source
dropped from 6% in 1990 to 3% in 2011.
• Still, over 18 crore people rely on rivers, streams, ponds or lakes to
meet their daily drinking water needs.

19. Current Situation: >10% of the world's
population do not have access to safe drinking
water.
40% do not have sufficient water for adequate
living and hygiene.
By 2050, water scarcity will affect 200 to 700
crore people out of total 930 crore.

22. India with 16% of the world's population has
only 4% of the fresh water resources.
Per capita availability of fresh water in India
has dropped from 1816 cubic meters 2001
census,was to 1545 cubic meters as per the
2011 census and is estimated that it will be
833 in 2025 and 899 in 2050

23. Source Percentage of population
Piped drinking water 39-42% Rural 28%
Urban 71%
Handpumps 39-42% Rural 47.3%
Urban 20.8%
Wells 19%
Surface water 3%

24. In many rural areas, women still have to
walk a distance of about 2.5 kms to reach
the source of water.
On an average, a rural woman walks
more than 14000 km a year just to fetch
water. Water source being open dug well,
the quality of water is poor; dirty, saline
and has turbidity.

26. Health-based
targets
System
assessment
Operational
monitoring
Management plan
and monitoring
plans - describing
actions to be taken
in normal
operation and
incident
conditions
A system of
independent
surveillance

27. • Measures reduction in detected disease incidence
or prevalence.
• Microbial or chemical hazards with high measurable
disease burden largely water associated. For eg.
Flouride.
Health
outcome
targets
• Established for individual drinking-water
constituents that represent a health risk from long-
term exposure and where fluctuations in
concentration are small or occur over long periods.
• Expressed as guideline values (concentrations) of
the substances or chemicals of concern.
Water quality
targets
(WQTs)

28. Performance
targets
Specified
technology
targets

29. What is Water safety plans?
It comprises of the three essential actions that
are the responsibility of the drinking-water
supplier in order to ensure that drinking-water is
safe.
System
assessment.
Effective
operational
monitoring;
and
Management

30. The primary objectives of a WSP in ensuring good drinking-
water supply practice are :
Minimization of
contamination of
source waters.
Reduction or removal
of contamination
through treatment
processes.
Prevention of
contamination during
storage, distribution
and handling of
drinking-water.
Guided by health-based targets and overseen through drinking-water supply surveillance.

31. 1.
• Multidisciplinary team of experts with a thorough understanding of the drinking
water system.
2.
• For eg. engineers, catchment & water managers, water quality specialists,
environmental or public health or hygienist professionals, operational staff and
representatives of consumers.
3.
• Provides an overview description of the drinking-water system, including
characterization of the source, identification of potential pollution sources in the
catchment, measures for resource and source protection, treatment processes,
storage and distribution infrastructure.

32. Objectives of operational monitoring are :
1. For the drinking-water supplier to
monitor each control measure in a timely
manner to enable effective system management
and
2. To ensure that health-based targets are
achieved.

33. Parameters used in operational monitoring
• Turbidity
• UV absorbency
• Algal growth
• Flow and retention time
• Colour, conductivity and local meteorological events
For source
waters
• Disinfectant concentration and contact time
• UV intensity
• pH
• Light absorbency
• Membrane integrity
• Turbidity and Colour
For treatment
• Chlorine residual monitoring -- A sudden disappearance of an otherwise stable
residual can indicate ingress of contamination.
• Faecal indicator bacteria
• Pressure measurement and turbidity are also useful in operational
monitoring.
In piped
distribution
systems

34. • Effective management implies definition of actions to
be taken in response to variations that occur during
normal operational conditions; of actions to be taken
in specific incident situations where a loss of control of
the system may occur; and of procedures to be
followed in unforeseen and emergency situations.
• Management procedures should be documented
alongside system assessment, monitoring plans,
supporting program and communication required to
ensure safe operation of the system.

35. • “The continuous and vigilant public health assessment and review of the safety
and acceptability of drinking-water supplies”
(WHO, 1976).
• Done by independent agency (state public health department).
• Investigates the activity and identifies the corrective or preventive measures and
gives feedback to water supplying agency.
• This surveillance contributes to the protection of public health by promoting
improvement of the quality, quantity, accessibility, coverage, affordability and
continuity of water supplies (known as service indicators).
• Complementary to the quality control function.

36. Regular testing of
residual chlorine at
consumer level.
Regular collection of
water samples and
testing of water
samples for E. coli or
thermotolerant
bacteria and
coliform count.
Regular interaction
with supplying
agency.
Monitor water
borne diseases for
early warning.

37. Contd.
Monitor
outbreaks of
water borne
diseases
Sanitary
inspection.
Education of
safe water to
people
Training of
community
members and
PRI for home
and well
chlorination.
Intersectoral
coordination.

38. • On-site inspection and evaluation by
qualified individuals of all conditions,
devices, and practices in the water supply
system that pose an actual danger to the
health and well being of the consumers.
Sanitary
inspection
• Minimum level of analysis should include:
• Testing for indicators for faecal pollution.
• Turbidity
• Chlorine (residual)
• pH
Water
sampling
and analysis

39. • For establishing a baseline status in the country,
1. It is suggested that all district and sub-district
level water quality testing laboratories conduct
drinking water quality analysis once each in pre-
monsoon and post-monsoon seasons in a year for
chemical parameters and bacteriological
2. And then subsequently monitor only those
parameters which are found to be present or the
concentrations nearing the desirable limits.

40. • Representative of the different sources from which water is
obtained by the public or enters the system.
• Representative of the conditions at the most unfavourable
sourcesThere are about 50 lakh reported public drinking water
sources in the country.
• Considering many unreported and/or private sources, the total
number of drinking water exceed 60 lakh.
• If these are to be tested twice in a year (for bacteriological analysis)
and once a year (Pre-monsoon) for chemical analysis, 120 lakh
water samples have to be tested in the country in a year.

41. • As reported by States, about 1,869 district and sub-district water testing
laboratories (including labs other than PHED labs) exist in the country, though
many of them are still not fully functional.
• If all such laboratories are made fully functional and considering a capacity of
3,000 samples to be tested in a year per laboratory, the number of sources that
could be tested in a year would be 3,000x 1869 = 56 lakh samples i.e. about 50%.
• Under National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP), provision for setting
up new sub-district level laboratories has been made to bridge the gap.
• Further, the decentralized Water Quality Monitoring & Surveillance Programme
started in the year 2005-06 envisages indicative testing of all drinking water
sources (both public and private) using simple field test kits and only positively
tested samples to be referred to District and Sub-district water testing laboratories
for confirmation.

42. POPULATION SERVED No. OF MONTHLY SAMPLES
<5000 1
5000-100,000 1/5000 population
>100,000- 500,000 1/10,000 population +10 additional samples
>500,000 1/10,000 population +50 additional samples

43. Analytic Test Method of sample collection
For General Analysis • 2 litre (non-acidified).
• Collected in clean glass stoppered bottles–
WINCHESTER QUART BOTTLES.
• Rinse three times with water before filling.
• Stored at low temperature(40C)
For Bacteriological Analysis • 250 ml in sterilized bottles.
• Add sodium thiosulphate, if sample
contains chlorine.
• Should not be opened before filling.
• Collect sample.
• Examine or keep in ice until analyzed.
• Iced sample should be analysed within 48
hrs after collection.
For Metals Analysis 1000 ml acidified sample for metal analysis.

45. • The State level laboratory shall concentrate on analysis
of specific parameters of local importance like :
1. pesticides, toxic substances,
2. bacteriological and virological parameters, Poly
Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH), Poly Chlorinated
Biphenyls (PCB),
3. Disinfection bi-products like Tri Chloro Methanes
(TCM), etc.

46. • To ensure that water services meet agreed
national standards & institutional targets.
• To provide valuable information:
1. Quality of source of water.
2. Efficiency of treatment and water quality
variables.
3. Natural and seasonal variations.
4. Identifies need for taking remedial action.

49. 1.
• Acceptability aspects includes: PHYSICAL PARAMETERS AND
INORGANIC CONSTITUENTS
2.
• Microbiological aspects includes:
• A. Bacteriological indicators (1) Coliform organisms (2) Faecal streptococci
(3) Cl. Perfringes
• B. Virological aspects
• C. Biological aspects
3. • Chemical aspects
4. • Radiological aspects

50. Indian Standard
Drinking Water - Specification
IS 10500 : 2012(Second Rivision)

51. Colour, Hazen Units
IS 10500-2012 Desirable : 5 Hz. , Permissible : 15 Hz.
Risks or effects Visible tint, acceptance decreases
Sources
Tannins, Iron, Copper, Manganese
Natural deposits
Treatment Filtration, Distillation, Reverse osmosis, Ozonisation

52. Odour
IS 10500-2012 Unobjectionable
Risks or effects Rotten egg, Musty, Chemical
Sources
Chlorine, Hydrogen sulphide, Organic matter, Septic
contamination, Methane gas
Treatment Activated carbon, Air stripping, oxidation, Filtration

53. Turbidity
IS 10500-2012 Desirable: 1NTU, Permissible : 5NTU
Risks or effects Interfere with Disinfection
Sources Due to particulate matter
Treatment Activated carbon, Air stripping, oxidation, Filtration

54. pH
IS 10500-
2012
Desirable :6.5 – 8.5, Permissible
:6.5 – 8.5
Risks or
effects
Low pH - corrosion, metallic
taste
High pH – bitter/soda taste,
deposits
Sources Natural
Treatment
Increase pH by soda ash
Decrease pH with white vinegar
/ citric acid

55. Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
IS 10500-2012 Desirable : 500 mg/l , Permissible : 2000 mg/l
Risks or effects
Hardness, scaly deposits, sediment, cloudy colored water,
staining, salty or bitter taste, corrosion of pipes and fittings
Sources
Livestock waste, septic system
Landfills, nature of soil
Hazardous waste landfills
Dissolved minerals, iron and manganese
Treatment Reverse Osmosis, Distillation, deionization by ion exchange

56. Hardness
IS 10500-2012 Desirable :200 mg/l , Permissible : 600 mg/l
Risks or effects Scale in utensils and hot water system, soap scums
Sources
Dissolved calcium and magnesium from soil and aquifer
minerals containing limestone or dolomite
Treatment Water Softener Ion Exchanger , Reverse Osmosis

58. Alkalinity
IS 10500-2012 Desirable : 200 mg/l , Permissible : 600 mg/lit
Risks or effects
Low Alkalinity (i.e. high acidity) causes
deterioration of plumbing and increases the
chance for many heavy metals in water are
present in pipes, solder or plumbing fixtures.
Sources
Pipes, landfills
Hazardous waste landfills
Treatment Neutralizing agent

59. Iron
IS 10500-2012 Desirable : 0.3 mg/l , Permissible : 0.3 mg/l
Risks or effects
Brackish color, rusty sediment, bitter or metallic taste, brown-
green stains, iron bacteria, discolored beverages
Sources
Leaching of cast iron pipes in water distribution systems
Natural
Treatment Oxidizing Filter , Green-sand Mechanical Filter

61. Manganese
IS 10500-2012 Desirable : 0.1 mg/l , Permissible : 0.3 mg/l
Risks or effects
Brownish color, black stains on laundry and
fixtures at .2 mg/l, bitter taste, altered taste of
water-mixed beverages
Sources
Landfills
Deposits in rock and soil
Treatment
Ion Exchange , Chlorination, Oxidizing Filter , Green-sand
Mechanical Filter

62. Sulphate
IS 10500-2012 Desirable : 200 mg/l, Permissible : 400 mg/l
Risks or effects
Bitter, medicinal taste, scaly deposits, corrosion, laxative
effects, "rotten-egg" odour from hydrogen sulphide gas
formation
Sources
Animal sewage, septic system, sewage
By-product of coal mining, industrial waste
Natural deposits or salt
Sulphate Treatment Ion Exchange , Distillation , Reverse Osmosis

63. Nitrate
IS 10500-2012 Desirable : 45 mg/l, Permissible : 45 mg/lit
Risks or effects Methemoglobinemia or blue baby disease in infants
Sources
Livestock facilities, septic systems, manure lagoons,
Household waste water,
Fertilizers,
Natural Deposits,
Treatment Ion Exchange, Distillation, Reverse Osmosis

65. Chloride
IS 10500-2012 Desirable : 250 mg/l , Permissible : 1000 mg/l
Risks or effects
High blood pressure, salty taste, corroded pipes, fixtures and
appliances, blackening and pitting of stainless steel
Sources
Fertilizers
Industrial wastes
Minerals, seawater
Treatment Reverse Osmosis , Distillation, Activated Carbon
Cl

66. Fluoride
IS 10500-2012 Desirable : 1.0 mg/l, Permissible : 1.5 mg/l
Risks or effects Brownish discoloration of teeth, bone damage
Sources
Industrial waste
Geological
Treatment
Activated Alumina, Distillation, Reverse Osmosis, Ion
Exchange

67. Fluorosis

69. Arsenic
IS:10500-2012 Desirable: 0.01 mg/l Permissible: 0.05mg/l
Risks or effects
Weight loss; Depression; Lack of energy; Skin and nervous
system toxicity
Sources
Previously used in pesticides (orchards)
Improper waste disposal or product storage of glass or
electronics, Mining
Rocks
Treatment
Activated Alumina Filtration, Reverse Osmosis, Distillation,
Chemical Precipitation, Ion exchange, lime softening

71. Chromium
IS 10500-2012 Desirable : 0.05 mg/l, Permissible : 0.05 mg/l
Risks or effects
Skin irritation, skin and nasal ulcers, lung tumors,
gastrointestinal effects, damage to the nervous system and
circulatory system, accumulates in the spleen, bones, kidney
and liver
Sources
Septic systems
Industrial discharge, mining sites
Geological
Treatment Ion Exchange, Reverse Osmosis, Distillation

72. Copper
IS 10500-2012 Desirable : 0.05 mg/l, Permissible : 1.5 mg/l
Risks or effects
Anemia, digestive disturbances, liver and kidney damage,
gastrointestinal irritations, bitter or metallic taste; Blue-green
stains on plumbing fixtures
Sources
Leaching from copper water pipes and tubing, algae
treatment
Industrial and mining waste, wood preservatives
Natural deposits
Treatment Ion Exchange, Reverse Osmosis, Distillation

73. Cyanide
IS 10500-2012 Desirable : 0.05 mg/l, Permissible : 0.05 mg/l
Risks or effects Thyroid, nervous system damage
Sources
Fertilizer
Electronics, steel, plastics mining
Treatment Ion Exchange, Reverse Osmosis, Chlorination

74. Lead
IS 10500-2012 Desirable : 0.01 mg/l, Permissible : 0.01 mg/l
Risks or effects
Reduces mental capacity (mental retardation), interference with
kidney and neurological functions, hearing loss, blood
disorders, hypertension, death at high levels
Sources
Paint, diesel fuel combustion
Pipes and solder, discarded batteries, paint, leaded gasoline
Natural deposits
Treatment
Ion Exchange, Activated Carbon , Reverse Osmosis,
Distillation
Brain
Nerve
Damage
Hearing
Problems
Digestive Issues
Stunted Growth

75. Mercury
IS 10500-2012 Desirable : 0.001 mg/l, Permissible : 0.001 mg/l
Risks or effects
Loss of vision and hearing, intellectual deterioration, kidney
and nervous system disorders, death at high levels
Sources
Fungicides
Batteries, fungicides
Mining, electrical equipment, plant, paper and vinyl chloride
Natural deposits
Treatment Reverse Osmosis, Distillation

76. Zinc
IS 10500-2012 Desirable :5 mg/l, Permissible : 15 mg/l
Risks or effects Metallic taste
Sources
Leaching of galvanized pipes and fittings, paints, dyes
Natural deposits
Treatment
Ion Exchange Water Softeners, Reverse Osmosis,
Distillation

77. Total Coliform Bacteria
IS 10500-2012 Nil in 100ml sample
Risks or effects Gastrointestinal illness
Sources
Livestock facilities, septic systems, manure lagoons
Household waste water
Naturally occurring
Treatment Chlorination , Ultraviolet, Distillation, Iodination

78. E.coliform Bacteria
IS 10500-2012 Nil / 100ml
Risks or effects Gastrointestinal illness
Sources
Livestock facilities, septic systems, manure lagoons
Household waste water
Naturally occurring
Treatment Chlorination , Ultraviolet, Distillation, Iodination

79. Total Coliform Bacteria and
E.coliform Bacteria
IS 10500-2012
E.Coliform or Thermotolerant Bacteria
Nil / 100ml(Drinking Water, Water entering distribution System,
Distribution System)
Total coliform bacteria
Nil / 100ml(Drinking Water, Water entering distribution System,
Distribution SystemIn case of large supplies, where sufficient
samples are examined, must not be present in 95% of any samples
taken throughout 12mths period.)
Risks or effects Gastrointestinal illness
Sources
Livestock facilities, septic systems, manure lagoons
Household waste water
Naturally occurring
Treatment Chlorination , Ultraviolet, Distillation, Iodination

80. Radioactive Susbstance(α and β activity)
IS 10500-2012 0.5Bq/l and 1.0Bq/l respectively
Risks or effects Mutations, Cancers

82. Constituents
ORGANIC CONSTITUENTS
Max limit (μg/L)
Carbon tetrachloride 2
Dichloromethane 20
Vinyl chloride 55
1.1-dichloroethane 30
1.2-dichloroethane 50
Benzene 10
Toluene 700
Xylenes 500
Ethyl benzene 300
Styrene 20
Benzolalpyrene 0.7
AROMATIC HYDROCARBON
Aldrin 0.03
Chlordane 0.2
DDT 2
2,4-D 30
Heptachlor 0.03
Hexachlorbenzene 1
Lindane 2
Methoxychlor 20
Pentachlorophenol 9

85. • 1949 The Environment Hygiene Committee (1949) recommends the
provision of safe water supply to cover 90 per cent of India’s population in
a timeframe of 40 years.
• 1950 The Constitution of India confers ownership of all water resources to
the government, specifying it as a state subject, giving citizens the right to
potable water.
• 1969 National Rural Drinking Water Supply program launched with
technical support from UNICEF and Rs.254.90 crore is spent during this
phase, with 1.2 million bore wells being dug and 17,000 piped water
supply schemes being provided.
• 1972-73 Introduction of the Accelerated Rural Water Supply Program
(ARWSP) by the Government of India to assist states and union territories
to accelerate the pace of coverage of drinking water supply.

86. Drinking Water Supply Programs &
Policies at a Glance
• 1981 India as a party to the International Drinking Water Supply and
Sanitation Decade (1981-1990) declaration sets up a national level Apex
Committee to define policies to achieve the goal of providing safe water to
all villages.
• 1986 The National Drinking Water Mission (NDWM) is formed.
• 1987 Drafting of the first National Water Policy by the Ministry of Water
Resources.
• 1991 NDWM is renamed the Rajiv Gandhi National Drinking Water
Mission(RGNDWM).
• 1994 The 73rd Constitutional Amendment assigns Panchayati Raj
Institutions (PRIs) the responsibility of providing drinking water.

87. • The focus of the Rajiv Gandhi National Drinking Water Mission
(RGNDWM) was to adopt a community-based demand-driven
approach instead of the hitherto government forced supply driven
approach.
• In doing so, the projects under RGNDWM are basically community
participation oriented in nature – with a part (minimum of 10% of
the proposal) of the capital cost required to be borne by the
community themselves.
• The balance amount is contributed by the Government of India.

88. Drinking Water Supply Programs &
Policies at a Glance
• The Rajiv Gandhi National Drinking Water Mission (RGNDWM) had
set a target of extending access to safe drinking water for 100
percent of the rural population by 2007.
• Although this target has not been fully achieved, the expansion of
coverage attained during the 1990s, as reflected in the Census data,
shows the objective of 100 percent safe water access should not be
difficult to achieve in the next five years or so.
• Indeed, the Eleventh Five Year Plan (2007-08 to 2011- 12) foresees
the provision of safe drinking water to all rural habitations.

89. Drinking Water Supply Programs &
Policies at a Glance
• 1999 For ensuring sustainability of the systems, steps are initiated
to institutionalize community participation in the implementation
of rural drinking water supply schemes through sector reform.
• Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC) as a part of reform principles
initiated in 1999 to ensure sanitation facilities in rural areas with
broader goal to eradicate the practice of open defecation. As part of
the program, a nominal subsidy in the form of incentive is given to
rural poor households for construction of toilets.
• TSC gives strong emphasis on Information, Education and
Communication, Capacity Building and Hygiene Education for
effective behavior change with involvement of PRIs and NGOs.

90. Drinking Water Supply Programs &
Policies at a Glance
• 2002 Nationwide scaling up of sector reform in the form of
Swajaldhara. The National Water Policy is revised,
according priority to serving villages that did not have
adequate sources of safe water and to improve the level of
service for villages classified as only partially covered.
• India commits to the Millennium Development Goals to
halve by 2015, from 1990 levels, the proportion of people
without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic
sanitation.
• 2004 All drinking water programs are brought under the
umbrella of the RGNDWM.

91. • 2005 The Government of India launches the Bharat
Nirman Program for overall development of rural areas
by strengthening housing, roads, electricity, telephone,
irrigation and drinking water infrastructure.
• The target is to provide drinking water to 55,069
uncovered habitations; those affected by poor water
quality and slipped back habitations based on 2003
survey, within five years.

92. Drinking Water Supply Programs &
Policies at a Glance
• 2007 Pattern of funding under the Swajaldhara Scheme changes
from the previous 90:10 central-community share to 50:50 centre-
state share. Community contribution is now optional.
• The approach paper for the 11th Five Year Plan calls for a
comprehensive approach which encompasses individual health
care, public health, sanitation, clean drinking water, access to food
and knowledge about hygiene and feeding practice.

93. • The Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation (until 2011
the Department of Drinking Water Supply in the Ministry of
Rural Development) is responsible for rural water supply
and sanitation.
• The Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation and
the Ministry of Urban Development share the responsibility
for urban water supply and sanitation.

94. • There are about a 100,000 rural water supply systems in
India.
• At least in some states, responsibility for service provision is
in the process of being partially transferred from State
Water Boards and district governments to Panchayati Raj
Institutions (PRI) at the block or village level.
• Blocks are an intermediate level between districts and
villages).