Only 50% of Indian Households get Potable Water

In India only 30.80% of the Rural Households and 70.60% of the Urban Households  are covered with tap water supply, as per information tabled in Rajya Sabha today by Union Minister Bharatsinh Solanki.

Under the National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation provides technical and financial assistance to the States to provide safe and adequate drinking water to the rural population.   The Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation has prepared a Strategic Plan for coverage of rural households with Piped Water. Under the Plan the following timelines have been laid out:

By 2017

Ensure that at least 50% of rural households are provided with piped water supply;  at least 35% of rural households have piped water supply with a household connection; less than 20% use public taps and less than 45% use hand pumps or other safe and adequate private water sources.  All services meet set standards in terms of quality and number of hours of supply every day.

 By 2022

Ensure that at least 90% of rural households are provided with piped water supply; at least 80% of rural households have piped water supply with a household connection; less than 10% use public taps and less than 10% use handpumps or other safe and adequate private water sources.

Data regarding supply of potable safe drinking water through individual household tap connections is not maintained in the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation. The State wise status of access of households with Piped Water connection in rural and urban areas, as per Census 2011 is as follows