Challenges of sustainable water quality management in rural India

High rates of mortality and morbidity due to water-borne diseases are well known in India. Serious degradation of water quality in urban India has often been attributed to indiscriminate disposal of sewage and industrial effluents into surface water bodies. Although some degree of intervention in terms of chlorination and monitoring of water quality exists in major cities and towns, rural India, which constitutes the bulk (70%) of the population, is usually deprived of such interventions. The population in rural India is mainly dependent on the groundwater as a source of drinking water. As a quality concern the groundwater is often found to be contaminated with fluoride, arsenic, iron and salts. In recent years, fluorosis has emerged as major public health issue in rural India. At the technical level, some progress has been made in the development and use of field-level diagnostic kits. Decentralization of health-related monitoring at the villages needs to be institutionalized and this requires capacity development at all levels. This article discusses the various components that impact effective water quality management in rural India. Experience suggests that redesigning of data management programme at village, district and at national level, upgradation of district-level laboratories and addressing technical, legal and institutional components should become the first steps in achieving effective water-quality management and providing better health to millions of people living in rural India.