Since its launch in August 2019, the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) has been implemented in partnership with states to provide potable tap water to every rural household in India. At the time of launch, only 32.3 million (16.8%) rural households had tap water connections. As of March 16, 2025, an additional 122.9 million rural households have been connected, raising the total coverage to over 155.2 million households (80.19%) out of 193.7 million rural households nationwide. As water is a state subject, the responsibility for planning, implementation, operation, and maintenance of drinking water supply schemes lies with state and union territory governments. The central government provides financial and technical assistance, including a 50-year interest-free loan under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Expenditure scheme. Additionally, a nodal officer has been designated to coordinate with ministries and agencies to expedite statutory clearances and prevent project delays. Ensuring long-term water sustainability is integral to JJM. Water supply schemes are approved only after verification by a state-level Source Finding Committee to confirm the adequacy of water sources. In regions facing water scarcity, projects focus on developing alternative sources, strengthening existing infrastructure, and converging efforts with schemes like MGNREGS, Finance Commission grants, MP/MLA Local Area Development Funds, District Mineral Development Funds, and CSR initiatives. To further boost community-driven conservation, the Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB) initiative under Jal Shakti Abhiyan – Catch the Rain campaign was launched on September 6, 2024. Water quality is a key priority, with BIS:10500 standards set as the benchmark for piped water supply. As of now, all 314 arsenic-affected and 251 fluoride-affected rural habitations have been provided with safe drinking water through Community Water Purification Plants (CWPPs) and In-house Purification Systems (IHPs). Since JJM’s inception, 13,706 arsenic-affected and 7,745 fluoride-affected habitations have been covered under piped water supply. In March 2023, a Handbook on Drinking Water Treatment Technologies was released to guide states in implementing cost-effective treatment solutions. Additionally, a Concise Handbook for Monitoring Water Quality of Piped Drinking Water Supply to Rural Households was issued in December 2024 to standardise water quality testing protocols. For urban areas, under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), 4,734 MLD of water treatment capacity has been created. Under AMRUT 2.0, projects covering an additional 10,674 MLD water treatment capacity have been approved. This information was provided by Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Shri V. Somanna, in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha. (PIB)