Water Accessibility and Contamination in Rural India: A Comprehensive Analysis of Population Coverage, Water Supply Schemes and Water Quality

Abstract

The Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation (MDWS), Government of India, is responsible for providing financial and technical resources for ensuring safe and sufficient drinking water in rural India. According to data from the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation (MDWS) regarding the progress of the National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP), 63.74 per cent of India’s rural population has been provided with a minimum of 40 litres per capita per day of water supply. The present study aims to examine water accessibility and contamination in rural India using data from National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) reports. The study focuses on the percentage of the population with access to drinking water sources, the coverage of surface and groundwater schemes and the prevalence of water contamination in rural habitations. The study shows remarkable progress in extending water infrastructure, with a large number of surface and groundwater-based schemes installed in rural areas. The comparatively low percentage of the population with piped water supply, on the other hand, highlights the need for additional investment and attempts to improve coverage. The presence of over 2,000 laboratories for water testing is promising, but the large number of contaminated sources reveals persistent issues in maintaining water quality standards.

Keywords: India, Rural Population, Piped Water Supply, Groundwater Schemes, Surface Water Schemes, Water Contamination

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