Lok Sabha Question No. 3930 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-19
Subject: Arsenic-affected Habitations in Assam
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Shri Joyanta Basumatary

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI

## DEPARTMENT OF DRINKING WATER & SANITATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3930

ANSWERED ON 19/12/2024

## ARSENIC-AFFECTED HABITATIONS IN ASSAM

## 3930.  SHRI JOYANTA BASUMATARY

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

- (a) the total number of arsenic-affected habitations in Assam and the number of habitations out of these covered with mitigation measures under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) since 2019;
- (b) whether there are any discrepancies between the data of the Union Government and the State Government of Assam on arsenic-affected habitations, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (c) whether any arsenic safe well, designed by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), has been constructed in Assam, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI

## (SHRI V. SOMANNA)

- (a) Government of India is committed to make provision for safe & potable tap water supply in adequate quantity,  of  prescribed  quality  and  on  a  regular  &  long-term  basis  to  all  rural households in the country. Towards this end, the Government of India, in August 2019, launched the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), which is being implemented in partnership with States.  Under  JJM,  as  per  existing  guidelines,  Bureau  of  Indian  Standards'  BIS:10500 standards are adopted as benchmarks for quality of water being supplied through the piped water supply schemes. Drinking water is a state subject and hence, the responsibility of planning, approval, implementation, operation & maintenance and water quality management  of  drinking  water  supply  schemes,  including  those  under  the  Jal  Jeevan Mission, lies with State/ UT Governments. The Government of India supports the states including Assam by providing technical and financial assistance.

Under JJM, while planning water supply schemes to provide tap water supply to households, priority is given to habitations affected by chemical contaminants. Further, while allocating the funds to States/ UTs, 10% weightage is given to the population residing in habitations affected by chemical contaminants including arsenic. States/ UTs have been advised to plan and implement piped water supply schemes based on alternative safe water sources for the villages with water quality issues.

Since, planning, implementation and commissioning of piped water supply scheme based on a safe water source may take time, therefore, purely as an interim measure, States/ UTs have been advised to install community water purification plants (CWPPs) especially in

Arsenic and Fluoride affected habitations to provide potable water to every household to meet their drinking and cooking requirements.  As reported by state government of Assam on JJM-IMIS, as on 01.04.2019, there were 3,151 arsenic affected habitations. As on date, as reported by state, there are no arsenic affected habitations in Assam i.e. safe drinking water through pipe water supply has been made available in all these 3,151 arsenic affected habitations.

- (b) The  Department  has  developed  a  robust  web  based  integrated  management  information system  (JJM-IMIS)  to  capture  the  data  of  water  quality  affected  habitations,  where States/UTs provide status of habitations that have contamination in their drinking water sources including those in the State of Assam.
- (c) As informed by Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), it has developed an innovative cement sealing technique through in-house research advocating the tapping of safe alternate aquifers within the affected areas. This technique has also been shared with state agencies to  aid  in  the  construction  of  arsenic-free  wells,  enhancing  arsenic  mitigation  efforts  in vulnerable areas. So far, CGWB has not constructed any arsenic free tube well using cement sealing technology in Assam.

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