JalJeevanSamvad-May-2021-en

Jal Jeevan Samvad – May 2021, Issue VIII, Year 2021 presents the progress and major initiatives of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) towards providing assured and functional tap-water supply to every rural household under the vision of Har Ghar Jal. The issue provides an overview of Functional Household Tap Connection (FHTC) coverage as on 31 May 2021, including comparative State/UT coverage and the progress achieved during 2020–21. It also highlights the achievement of Puducherry as a Har Ghar Jal Union Territory, with all rural households receiving piped water connections. A key theme of the publication is the reform of rural drinking-water supply, moving from habitation-level supply towards household-level service delivery, ensuring functionality of tap connections, community ownership, long-term sustainability, the participation of women and weaker sections, provision of piped water to schools and Anganwadi centres, water-quality surveillance and technological interventions for transparency and accountability. The publication gives particular emphasis to water conservation and drinking-water security. It discusses the need for sustainable water resources, conservation of every drop of water and appropriate management and reuse of greywater. The issue also highlights the role of youth and communities in restoring traditional water structures and strengthening local water security through initiatives such as Youth4Water. The issue also covers water-quality monitoring and surveillance, strengthening of water-testing laboratories, community-level testing, sanitary surveys and the use of trained women and Village Water & Sanitation Committees (VWSCs). Further, it highlights technology and innovation, including sensor-based systems for real-time measurement and monitoring of rural water supply. The publication also discusses capacity building through Key Resource Centres and partnerships with sector organisations. The issue contains State stories and case studies from Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and other States/UTs, illustrating community participation, water conservation, tribal-area interventions, restoration of traditional water sources and implementation of JJM at the grassroots level.