High tap coverage under Jal Jeevan scheme, but lower usage, reliability, Pg10

Key Highlights:

• The Har Ghar Jal (HGJ) scheme has achieved nearly 98% tap coverage in rural households.
• However, usage and reliability of taps are lower, according to a 2024 survey by IPSOS commissioned by the Jal Shakti Ministry.
• Only 83% of households received water through taps at least once in the week before the survey.
• Only 80% of households received the minimum sanctioned 55 litres of water per day.

Detailed Insights:

• The Functionality Assessment of Household Tap Connections surveyed 2.37 lakh households out of 19.3 crore rural households covered by the scheme.
• The scheme aims to provide 55 litres of potable water per person per day, with most states reporting over 85% satisfaction with water quality, except for Tripura at 43%.
• States like Bihar (61%), Uttar Pradesh (72%), and Nagaland (74%) reported lower water availability, while Sikkim (24%) and Gujarat (58%) reported the lowest rates of meeting the 55 litres benchmark.
• Water quality tests revealed that only 76% of households met the qualifying criteria for e-coli, total coliform, and pH levels.
• The survey focused on 19,812 villages certified as 'Har Ghar Jal' villages, where state administrations reported complete tap water supply.
• The Jal Shakti Ministry noted that the 2024 report isn't directly comparable with the 2022 assessment due to methodological and environmental differences.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Har Ghar Jal (HGJ) Scheme: A government initiative to provide tap water to every rural household by 2024.
• Functionality Assessment: Periodic evaluations to assess the performance and impact of the Har Ghar Jal scheme.
• Potable Water: Water that is safe to drink and meets required quality standards.