New Delhi: The Government of India has strengthened efforts to ensure sustainable rural drinking water supply by promoting community participation through the ‘Jal Arpan’ initiative under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM).
Launched in August 2019, the Jal Jeevan Mission aims to provide every rural household with a functional tap water connection, ensuring an adequate supply of 55 litres of potable water per person per day, meeting the prescribed BIS:10500 quality standards, on a regular and long-term basis.
As part of the initiative, ‘Jal Arpan’ is being organised as a community-led public event with the active participation of elected representatives, Gram Sabhas and local communities to celebrate the successful commissioning of rural water supply schemes and encourage their long-term sustainability.
To strengthen public participation and ensure continuous service delivery, the government has also launched a standardized “Handbook on Community-Managed Piped Water Systems.” The handbook outlines guidelines for managing rural water supply infrastructure and mandates a 15-day trial run involving Gram Panchayats, Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSCs), and Pani Samiti members before the formal handover of water supply schemes.
The initiative is aimed at ensuring the smooth transition, effective community management and sustainable operation of rural drinking water systems across the country.
