Lok Sabha Question No. 2038 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-31
Subject: National Framework for Real-Time Water Quality Index Monitoring
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Shri Tangella Uday Srinivas

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2038 ANSWERED ON 31/07/2025

## NATIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR REAL-TIME WATER QUALITY INDEX MONITORING

## 2038. SHRI TANGELLA UDAY SRINIVAS:

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has any standardised mechanism to compute and publicly display a Water Quality Index (WQI) similar to the Air Quality Index (AQI) and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether WQI is currently monitored and published in a timely and granular manner at the city, district or ward level, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) the number of urban local bodies and rural habitations where regular water quality testing is carried out;
- (d) whether results of the said tests are made publicly accessible and if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether the Government proposes to create a real-time WQI framework integrated with digital dashboards, IoT-based sensors and citizen feedback and if so, the details thereof along with the timeline fixed for the implementation; and

(f) whether any public awareness initiatives or school/community-based testing programmes are being  considered  to  build  local  engagement  with  water  safety  standards  and  if  so,  the  details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI (SHRI V. SOMANNA)

- (a)  No.
- (b) No in view of the answer to (a) above.

(c) and (d) As informed by AMRUT Division, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Water being a state subject, management and maintaining the quality of water and water bodies as per the applicable standards (BIS 10500:2012 standards for drinking water and for waste water quality norms set by CPCB) in urban areas are the responsibility of State Government/ ULBs. AMRUT/AMRUT 2.0 does not prescribe separate guidelines  for  water  quality.  However,  the Mission guidelines advocates to monitor and ensure compliance with water quality standards in urban areas.

Under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), as reported by States/ UTs on Jal Jeevan Mission - Water Quality Management Information System (WQMIS), so far during 2025-26, as on date, 24.89 lakh samples from 3.92 lakh villages have been tested and reported in water quality testing laboratories and 21.92 lakh samples from 1.52 lakh villages have been tested and reported using Field Testing Kits in State's/UTs respectively.

The village-wise water quality test reports are made available in public domain through 'Citizen Corner' on JJM Dashboard and can be accessed at:

## https://ejalshakti.gov.in/jjmreport/JJMIndia.aspx

The details of water quality test reported through WQMIS can be accessed at:

## https://ejalshakti.gov.in/WQMIS/Main/report

(e) Based on the purport of the question, it is informed that whereas air is inhaled (consumed) directly without any treatment/ polishing from its ambient quality, the water in rarest of the cases is consumed directly as it is found in nature. In almost all cases the primary treatment/ disinfection is  done  to  make it  potable and hence WQI based on naturally available water is presently not contemplated by this Department.

(f) To enhance public awareness, the department of drinking water and sanitation has taken several initiatives focused on community engagement. These initiatives include encouraging village-level water testing conducted by women Field Testing Kit (FTK) users. These programs aim to raise awareness about the importance of cleanliness and its impact on water quality and overall health. Additionally, the department actively involves school/ AWC students in conducting water quality testing within their institutions. To support these efforts, the department has launched a training program specifically designed for school and Anganwadi students, facilitated by trained women FTK users. This program not only empowers students with essential skills but also fosters a sense of responsibility for maintaining water quality in their communities.

As also informed by AMRUT Division, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), to ensure community participation, Self-Help Groups (SHGs) are trained and mobilized for water quality testing and infrastructure management. The "AMRUT Mitra" initiative under AMRUT 2.0 focuses on the active involvement of SHGs and women empowerment in the water sector. These groups are trained to conduct household-level water quality testing using field testing kits. This decentralized monitoring enhances local awareness about water quality, and fosters a sense of responsibility among residents.

*****