The way forward:

Two major emerging problems in rural water supply sector are (a) sustainability; and (b) water quality. Scientific source finding, water quality and quantity assessment, monitoring, water conservation and recharge are crucial for problem solution and related water management.

During February 2005, the State Government took a policy decision to implement all drinking water supply schemes on a participatory mode to improve service delivery and system sustainability. In the coming years, efforts will be made to internalize community participation in planning, designing, executing and managing drinking water supply schemes.

Rural Dinking Water Quality Monitoring and Surveillance programme has been launched to systematically monitor the quality of drinking water and to disseminate information on health and hygiene aspects of clean drinking water. The programme will be implemented on a Catchment Area Approach consisting of Gram Panchayats/ Village Water and Sanitation Committees/ Education Institutions as well as functionaries of the related sectors at the grass roots, the District level Laboratories at the intermediary level and a Referral Laboratory at the State level. In every G.P., a five members committee will be in charge of water quality monitoring and surveillance. Initially, the department will provide field test kits and H2S strips/ vials. The test kits will be kept in the custody of the science teacher of the selected high school. Water samples would be preferably brought to school and tested. Monitoring will be done from district/ state level. Health Department will be increasingly involved in water quality surveillance.

There will be a focused coverage of habitations having water quality problems such as excess fluoride, iron, brackishness etc. Cost effective and adaptable technology will be chosen on the basis of a multi-disciplinary approach. The State level Scientific Source Finding Committee has been reconstituted to take this programme forward. For formulating suitable schemes to tackle water quality and scarcity problem, availing consultancy services from reputed institutions like NEERI is being considered. UNICEF has expressed interest for financial support.