Context: 

The WHO report highlights the significant impact of the ‘Har Ghar Jal’ program on public health and economic savings.

• The ‘Har Ghar Jal’ report focuses on diarrheal diseases as they contribute significantly to the overall disease burden related to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) issues.

Key Highlight of the Study:

• Impact of ‘Har Ghar Jal’ Program on Public Health and Economic Savings:
  • Averting Deaths and DALYs from Diarrheal Diseases:
    • The report estimates that ensuring safely managed drinking water for all households in the country could avert nearly 400,000 deaths caused by diarrheal diseases.
    • Prevent approximately 14 million Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) related to these diseases. 
  • Estimated Cost Savings: This achievement alone would result in estimated cost savings of up to $101 billion and 66.6 million hours every day of time.

• Lack of Access to Improved Drinking-Water Sources:
  • Percentage of Population Lacking Access to Improved Drinking-Water Sources:
    • The report reveals that in 2018, 36% of India’s total population, including 44% of the rural population, lacked access to improved drinking-water sources on their premises. 
  • Consequences of Unsafe Drinking Water on Health and Society: 
    • The direct consumption of unsafe drinking water had severe health and societal consequences. 
    • The analysis indicates that in 2019, unsafe drinking water, along with inadequate sanitation and hygiene, contributed to 1.4 million deaths and 74 million DALYs globally.

About Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM):

• The Government of India in partnership with States is implementing the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) to make provision of tap water supply to every rural household by 2024.
• Funding: The estimated outlay of Jal Jeevan Mission under ‘Har Ghar Jal’ program is Rs. 3.6 Lakh Crore for the period of five years from 2019-2024.
• Leading states and UTs: Five States including Gujarat, Telangana, Goa, Haryana, and Punjab and 3 Union Territories — Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Daman Diu & Dadra Nagar Haveli and Puducherry have reported 100% coverage.

Key Features of JJM: 

• Source Sustainability Measures: The programme will implement source sustainability measures as mandatory elements, such as recharge and reuse through grey water management, water conservation, rain water harvesting. 
• Jan Andolan: The Jal Jeevan Mission will be based on a community approach to water and will include extensive Information, Education and communication as a key component of the mission.
• Har Ghar Jal certification: Once a village is declared as Har Ghar Jal, the Gram Panchayat of that village conducts a special Gram Sabha and passes a resolution for the certification. 
• Targeting JE-AES: It accords priority to Japanese Encephalitis (JE)-Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) affected Districts to ensure potable tap water supply in all the households under Jal Jeevan Mission.
• Paani Samitis: Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSCs)/ Paani Samitis are responsible for management and regular operation and maintenance of in-village water supply systems including local water sources. 
• Women participation: At least five women in every village are being trained to use Field Test Kits (FTKs) for testing water quality at the village level.
• Water quality monitoring: Water quality testing labs of States/ UTs have been opened for the public for testing water samples at nominal rates.

Progress of Rural Tap Water Connections:

The challenges associated with the Jal Jeevan Mission:

• Rainfall Variability: Rainfall patterns vary significantly across the country, with regions experiencing extremely low or high precipitation levels. This poses challenges in ensuring water availability and management. 
• Geographical diversity: India’s diverse landscape, including deserts, plains, mountains, forests, coastal areas, and islands, presents unique challenges for water supply implementation.
• Depletion of groundwater: India has the highest groundwater consumption globally, leading to overexploitation of groundwater sources. 
  • This results in quality and quantity issues, making it unsustainable for long-term water supply systems.

Way Forward:

• Adoption of Innovative Technologies: Embrace innovative technologies, including sewage treatment and energy production from human excreta, to reduce freshwater consumption and promote sustainable practices.
• IoT-based Measurement and Monitoring: Deploy sensor-based IoT systems for water supply measurement, monitoring, water quality testing, and data integration and analysis to ensure transparency, service delivery, and grievance redressal.
• Water Security for Development: Implement groundwater replenishment methods without polluting water sources, encourage water budgeting in village communities to enhance water-use efficiency, and promote water-saving practices in agriculture through micro-irrigation systems.
• Convergence with Other Schemes: Foster convergence with other schemes such as MGNREGS, Atal Bhujal Yojana, and Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana to maximize resources and ensure long-term sustainability at the village level.

News Source: The Hindu,  pib