Water is one of the most essential requirements of life. Assured availability of potable drinking water is vital for human development. Highest priority of Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam (Rural) under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) is to provide potable drinking water to each and every household of the state. Access to clean and safe drinking water is one of the key determinants of human health, which prevents many water-borne diseases. Over the years, the issues related to drinking water quality have emerged as major challenge in rural areas. Around 80-85% of the rural water supply dependent on ground water, geogenic contaminants like Arsenic, Fluoride, Iron, Heavy Metals, etc. are posing serious health effects. Increased surface water pollution may also cause bacteriological contamination. To mitigate drinking water quality issues, Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam (Rural) regularly testing (as per BIS 10500:2012 norms) the water samples from the households through its well-established water analysis laboratories. Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam (Rural) test the samples and monitors the drinking water quality in the state as follows.

Water Testing Facilities

Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam (Rural) monitors water quality in the whole state through its 81 water analysis laboratories, which includes State Level Water Analysis Laboratory (01), Regional Water Analysis Laboratory (03), District Water Analysis Laboratory (72), Mobile Water Analysis Laboratory (05). Each district has one NABL Accredited water analysis laboratory (Total 75) to test water samples. These water testing laboratories are available at district Headquarters. There is one NABL Accredited state level referral laboratory at Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam (Rural), Headquarter, Lucknow.

Public Facility for Testing

All these laboratories are open to all, to test other departmental as well as private drinking water samples, at minimum cost. These samples are tested by well qualified and experienced laboratory personnel. These labs have testing facilities for the following parameters.

Facilities at State Level Water Analysis Laboratory

a). General Physico-Chemical Parameters

Colour, Odour, Taste, Turbidity, pH, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Total Solids (TS), Conductivity, Free Residual Chlorine, Chloride, Total Hardness, Total Alkalinity, Calcium, Magnesium, Fluoride, Sulphate, Nitrate, Sodium and Potassium.

b). Heavy Metal Testing

Iron, Arsenic, Mercury, Lead, Total Chromium, Aluminum, Nickel, Silver, Cadmium, Boron, Barium, Selenium, Molybdenum, Zinc, Copper, Manganese and Uranium.

c). Bacterial Parameters

Total coliform, E. coli, Salmonella typhi and Vibrio cholerae.

d). Virological Parameters:

Hepatitis-A Virus and Entero Virus.

Facilities at Regional/District Water Analysis Laboratories

a). General Physico-Chemical Parameters:

Colour, Turbidity, pH, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Conductivity, Free Residual Chlorine, Chloride, Total Hardness, Total Alkalinity, Calcium, Magnesium, Fluoride, Sulphate and Nitrate.

b). Heavy Metal Testing

Iron and Arsenic.

c). Bacterial Parameters

Total coliform and E. coli.

Frequency of Testing of Water Samples

Water sources must be tested once for chemical parameters and twice for bacteriological parameters in a year.

In a village minimum of 06 samples (01- School, 01- Anganwadi Centres, 03- FHTC, 01-Source or inlets of distribution line in the village) must be tested in a village.

In each sample minimum of 05 parameters (pH, TDS, Turbidity, Free Residual Chlorine and Bacteria) are tested and other risk parameters (Arsenic and Fluoride) are also tested in Quality Affected Villages.

Water Quality Data Management

There is a dedicated Water Quality Management Information System (WQMIS) in the country. It is working through a web portal and maintained by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India

Salient Features of WQMIS

All water quality data is available on this portal.

All Government water analysis laboratories are registered on this portal.

Sample booking is done though this portal.

Private samples could also be booked by this portal.

Test reports are generated through this portal.