Lok Sabha Question No. 3098 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-18
Subject: Water-borne Diseases due to Contaminated Canal Water
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Shri Kuldeep Indora

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3098

ANSWERED ON 18.12.2025

## WATER-BORNE DISEASES DUE TO CONTAMINATED CANAL WATER

†3098. SHRI KULDEEP INDORA:

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is aware of the fact that the canal water in Sri Ganganagar and Hanumangarh districts  is  contaminated  by  industrial  and  sewer  waste  leading  to  water-borne  diseases  and  chronic conditions like cancer affecting people and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government acknowledges that the dependence on open water sources is a primary cause of water contamination and it is difficult to decontaminate such sources;

(c)  if  so,  whether  the  Government is contemplating to formulate a dedicated national policy to supply clean water from water sources directly to water treatment plants via dedicated pipelines on the lines of petroleum products with separate pipelines for potable water and agricultural purpose to ensure that the purity of water before distribution; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI

## ( SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY )

(a) Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board (RSPCB) collects and analyses water samples on a monthly basis  at  three  locations,  namely  Khakha  Head  on  the  Gang  Canal  in  District  Sri  Ganganagar  and Masitawali Head  and Jhandewala on the Indira Gandhi Nahar Pariyojana (IGNP) in District Hanumangarh. The analysis reveals that the water quality of these canals falls under Class 'B' and Class 'C', as per the Designated Best Use criteria prescribed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). As per CPCB norms, Class 'B' water is suitable for outdoor bathing, while Class 'C' water is suitable as a drinking water source after conventional treatment and disinfection.

The Public Health Engineering Department (PHED), Government of Rajasthan, regularly treats and disinfects the raw water before supplying it to the public for drinking purposes. The water quality is tested and monitored regularly.

(b) to  (d) Drinking  Water being  a State subject, the responsibility of Planning, Designing, Approval, Implementation, Operation & Maintenance of drinking water supply schemes, including those under the

Jal  Jeevan  Mission,  is  vested  with  State/UT  Governments.  The  Government  of  India  supplements  the efforts of the States by providing technical and financial assistance.

The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)-Har Ghar Jal, has also launched, in August 2019, in partnership with States/ Union Territories(UTs) to make provision of potable tap water supply in adequate quantity, of prescribed quality and on regular & long-term basis to rural households. Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, 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.

The Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation has also launched the "Handbook on Drinking Water Treatment Technologies" which was published in March 2023, followed by a "Concise Handbook for Monitoring Water Quality of Piped Drinking Water Supply to Rural Households" in December 2024. These  handbooks  are  designed  to  provide  practical  guidance  for  field  practitioners,  ensuring  effective management of safe water supply systems.

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