Nearly 7K water samples failed in state in 2023-24

When it comes to drinking water failing quality tests, Haryana has the worst record in North India. As many as 6,782 samples of 69,702 failed in the state in 2023-24 — 9.7 per cent of the total samples.

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The figures were disclosed by Minister of State for Jal Shakti V Somanna in reply to an unstarred question by MP Dr Fauzia Khan in the Rajya Sabha on December 16.

Across the country, Kerala has the highest failure rate, with 3.48 lakh samples (55.5%) of 6.28 lakh failing quality tests. It is followed by West Bengal, where 1.85 lakh samples (32.3%) failed to meet quality standards.

In the case of Haryana, of 6,782 samples failing quality tests, 1,275 samples had chemical contamination, and 5,507 had bacteriological contamination. Remedial measures were not taken in 188 cases of chemical contamination and 584 cases of bacteriological impurities. The maximum number of samples failed in Bhiwani (894) and Charkhi Dadri (689).

In comparison, drinking water is much cleaner in neighbouring states. In Himachal Pradesh, of 2.19 lakh samples, 122 failed (0.1%), while in Punjab, of 33,043 samples, 610 failed (1.8%) in 2023-24. In J&K, of 2.52 lakh samples, 386 failed (0.2%), while in Uttarakhand, 1.20 lakh samples were taken, and 105 failed (0.1%).

In reply to the question, the Jal Shakti Minister stated: “The Government of India is committed to making provision for safe and potable tap water supply in adequate quantity, of prescribed quality and on a regular and long-term basis to all rural households in the country. Towards this end, the Government of India launched the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), to be implemented in partnership with states, in August 2019. Under the mission, as per existing guidelines, Bureau of Indian Standards’ BIS:10500 standards are adopted as benchmark for quality of water being supplied through the piped water supply schemes.”

He added: “Drinking water being a state subject, the responsibility of planning, approval, implementation, operation, and maintenance of drinking water supply schemes, including those under the Jal Jeevan Mission, lies with state/UT governments. The Government of India supports the states by providing technical and financial assistance.”

In previous years, too, the quality failure rate in Haryana was substantial. In 2022-23, 16,124 samples failed of 82,725, implying close to 20 per cent of samples failed to meet quality standards. In 2021-22, 96,910 samples were taken, and 6,882 (7.1%) failed.

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), in its ‘Performance Audit of Rural and Urban Water Supply Schemes’ report tabled in the Vidhan Sabha in 2023, noted that drinking water in Haryana was contaminated with coliforms, while physical and chemical parameters were beyond permissible limits. Even frogs and algae were found in the water. It was observed that 2.64 lakh samples were tested between April 2016 and March 2021, of which 18,104 samples (6.86%) were found unfit.

During a CAG inquiry (August 2021 to May 2022), it was found that there was no record of follow-up action, implying it could not be ascertained whether timely action was carried out to ensure potable water for inhabitants of areas where the samples were found unfit.

Not fit to drink 

*1,275 samples had chemical contamination; 5,507 bacteriological

*6,782 samples of 69,702 failed in the state in 2023-24 — 9.7% of total samples

*Maximum number of samples failed in Bhiwani (894) and Charkhi Dadri (689)

*Drinking water much cleaner in neighbouring states