Lok Sabha Question No. 48 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-01-29
Subject: Drinking Water Issues in Kerala
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Dr. Shashi Tharoor

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO .

## 48

ANSWERED ON 29/01/2026

## DRINKING WATER ISSUES IN KERALA

## 48. DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

- (a) the current status of rural piped drinking water coverage under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in Kerala and the reasons for delays in achieving full coverage compared to national targets;
- (b) whether instances of Hepatitis-A and other waterborne diseases reported recently in Kerala have been linked to contamination of drinking water supplies and if so, the details and the findings thereof;
- (c) the  measures  being  taken  to  ensure  water  quality  in  affected  areas  including  superchlorination and repair of leakages in water distribution systems; and
- (d) the steps proposed to be taken to prevent recurrence of such outbreaks in Kerala and across the country due to water contamination?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI

## (SHRI V. SOMANNA)

- (a) Since August 2019, Government of India is implementing Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) - Har Ghar Jal, in partnership with States/ UTs including Kerala, to make provision of safe and adequate tap water connection to every rural household of the country.

As reported by the state of Kerala on JJM-IMIS, at the start of JJM on 15.08.2019, only 16.64 lakh (23.51%) rural households had tap water connections. Since then, around 22.17 lakh additional rural households have been provided with tap water connections. Thus, as on  27.01.2026,  out  of  70.77  lakh  rural  households  in  state,  the  provision  of  tap  water connections is available to 38.81 lakh (54.85%) rural households.

As informed by the State government of Kerala, the delays in implementation of JJM are due  to  factors  such  as  the  outbreak  of  the  COVID-19  pandemic,  floods,  heavy  rains, shortage in funds, delays in obtaining hindrance-free land, issues related to permissions for road cutting and seasonal bans, delays in obtaining clearances from other agencies etc.

- (b) As informed by State government of Kerala, no recent instances of Hepatitis A or other waterborne diseases in Kerala have been conclusively linked to contamination of drinking water supplied by the Kerala Water Authority. However, an incident was reported from the Vengoor area of Ernakulam district in April 2024, where cases of Hepatitis A were reported.  Water samples were collected from pipelines and tested and found to be within

permissible quality standards and free from contamination. During this period, the area was facing acute water scarcity due to drought, and residents were dependent on alternate water sources, which may have contributed to the occurrence of the disease.

- (c) As informed by state government of Kerala, stringent measures have been taken to ensure the safety and quality of drinking water supplied to safeguard public health which includes:
- i.) Ensuring residual chlorine levels of not less than 0.2 ppm at end points.
- ii.) Regular  inspection  and  prompt  repair  of  leakages  in  transmission  and  distribution pipelines are undertaken to prevent contamination.
- iii.) Periodic cleaning and chlorination of storage tanks, reservoirs and treatment plants are carried out as per prescribed intervals.
- iv.) Multi-stage  water  quality  testing  is  conducted  at  the  source,  treatment  plant  and distribution levels through the in-house quality wing of Kerala Water Authority.
- (d)  Under JJM, water quality monitoring and surveillance (WQM&S) has been given utmost priority. Through various communications, review meetings, workshops and conferences, this department has advised States/ UTs to review the status of disinfection being done in piped water supply schemes. An advisory has also been issued highlighting the following actions  to  be  taken  by  States/  UTs  for  protecting  everyone's  health  from  waterborne diseases:
- i.) Intensify WQM&S by doing regular testing pipe water supply at various testing points as recommended in 'Concise Handbook for Monitoring Water Quality of Piped Water Supply to Rural Households", released by Department in December 2024;
- ii.) Undertake  prompt  appropriate  remedial  measures  for  all  water  samples  reported contaminated to ensure that quality of water being supplied through household tap water connections in all habitations, is of prescribed quality; and
- iii.) Review status of disinfection being done in piped drinking water supply schemes in State for protection against bacteriological contamination and to prevent re-growth of pathogens in distribution system till point of delivery for consumption.

Furthermore,  state  government  of  Kerala  is  also  taking  following  measures  to  prevent recurrence of water borne disease outbreaks such as Hepatitis A, amoebic infections and similar illnesses:

- i.) Encouraging the use of treated drinking water and discouraging unsafe alternate sources.
- ii.) Prompt  identification  and  rectification  of  leaks  and  other  potential  risks  of contamination to ensure uninterrupted safe water supply.
- iii.) Ensure water quality surveillance in all schemes and taking corrective action.
- iv.) Creating public awareness on safe storage and use of drinking water, particularly during periods of water scarcity.
- v.) Coordination with Health Department and Local Self-Government Institutions for early detection and rapid response to disease outbreaks.
- vi.) Capacity  building  and  regular  training  of  operational  staff  on  water  safety  and emergency response.

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