Lok Sabha Question No. 3605 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-13
Subject: Unsafe Drinking Water
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Dr. Shashi Tharoor

## GOVERNMENT OFINDIA MINISTRYOF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3605 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.03.2026

## UNSAFE DRINKING WATER

## 3605. DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

Will the MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the Government is aware of recent reports indicating that drinking water samples in Delhi and Ghaziabad have failed safety standards for the fifth consecutive year due to faecal contamination, posing serious risks of water-borne diseases and adverse public health outcomes and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government is taking steps to strengthen surveillance, inter-agency coordination and preventive public health measures to address unsafe drinking water supplies; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

(a) to (c): Water is a State subject and management of water is the responsibility of the State Government. Government of India supplements the efforts of the States/Union Territories (UTs) through schematic interventions/ advisories. It provides financial and technical support to the States through various schemes/ Missions such as Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) and AMRUT 2.0 for approved infrastructure projects aimed at improving urban services, including water supply systems. Under this Mission, the State/ UTs are empowered to select, appraise, prioritise and implement the projects as per their local requirements including augmentation/ rehabilitation of infrastructure as per Mission guidelines. The State Governments are responsible for monitoring, enforcement and corrective action for drinking water safety.

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoUHA) has published Manual on Water Supply and Treatment Systems (Drink from Tap) in March 2024 (https://mohua.gov.in/publication/manual-on-water-supply-and-treatment-systems---drink-fro m-tap---march-2024.php), for reference by the States/ ULBs for designing and implementation of the water supply projects. The manual has a Chapter on 'Drinking water quality monitoring and surveillance', which outlines the standard procedures for various components of drinking water quality monitoring and surveillance and sanitary surveillance (inspection) activities to be undertaken by Urban Water Service Providers.

MoHUA has issued an advisory in January, 2026 to all the States/UTs to carry out comprehensive assessments of vulnerable areas & ageing infrastructure and to identify the crossing of sewer lines in close proximity to water supply lines and to conduct digital mapping of the existing water and sewer network using geo-spatial database created under AMRUT/AMRUT 2.0 in order to prevent health hazards.

Through AMRUT Mitra initiative, Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) have been engaged in water quality testing, Operation & Maintenance support, bill distribution and awareness

Since August 2019, the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) under the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation is being implemented in partnership with States to provide potable tap water supply of prescribed quality, in adequate quantity and on a regular basis to every rural household in the country.

(Link:https://jaljeevanmission.gov.in/sites/default/files/handbook-on-drinking-water-treatmen t-technologies-2023.pdf )

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