The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti has held a regional review meeting of states and union territories to assess progress on Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0. The meeting, chaired by the DDWS Secretary, marked a deliberate shift in the national drinking water programme from simply installing water connections to ensuring those connections remain reliable, affordable and safe over the long term.
Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 builds on the original mission launched in August 2019. That first phase focused on connecting rural households to piped water supplies. The new phase, now underway, prioritizes keeping those systems working smoothly, testing water quality, reducing losses, cutting costs and involving local communities in management.
Key facts
- 15.96 crore rural households now have tap water connections, up from 3.27 crore in August 2019
- Pipeline leakages and breakages are the leading cause of water supply disruptions
- Power cuts and low voltage are the second major challenge affecting service delivery
- Discussions underway with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy on solarising drinking water infrastructure
- Water Quality Management Information System (WQMIS) data shows improved compliance across multiple quality parameters
- States must complete Jal Arpan (formal handover of schemes to gram panchayats and village water and sanitation committees) in all Har Ghar Jal villages
What the mission now emphasizes
The original Jal Jeevan Mission successfully brought tap connections to crores of rural homes in just over six years. However, having a tap is not enough if water does not flow regularly or if it is unsafe to drink. JJM 2.0 addresses three major problems that emerged on the ground.
First, physical leakage. Studies show that pipeline breaks and leaks are the single biggest reason rural water supplies fail. Fixing this requires regular inspections, prompt repairs and better maintenance systems. Second, energy costs. Most rural schemes rely on grid electricity to pump water, and power cuts or voltage fluctuations disrupt service. The DDWS is now exploring solar power for water assets to make systems more independent and reduce running costs. Third, water quality. Simply delivering water is not useful if it is contaminated. JJM 2.0 requires independent testing, public reporting of results, and community involvement in decisions about water safety.
Source sustainability and planning
A sustainable drinking water scheme must protect its water source for the long term. Under JJM 2.0, states are expected to use a Decision Support System (DSS) for planning, to ensure that groundwater extraction does not exceed recharge, that surface water sources are protected from pollution, and that alternative sources are developed where needed. This planning work must involve gram panchayats and village water committees so that decisions reflect local conditions and community needs.
Water quality and community oversight
JJM 2.0 mandates independent water quality surveillance rather than testing conducted only by water supply staff. Results must be made public to gram panchayats and shared in gram sabhas, the village assembly, so that residents know whether their water is safe. If quality problems are found, the community itself will decide what action is needed. This decentralized, transparent approach is new and marks a change from top-down monitoring.
Operational efficiency and solar power
A study presented at the meeting examined power costs for rural water schemes under different energy models: traditional grid connection, solar power, or hybrid systems. The findings suggest that solar systems can significantly reduce recurring operation and maintenance costs, making water services more affordable and financially sustainable over decades. The DDWS is coordinating with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy to explore how solarisation can be scaled across the country.
Jal Arpan and local management
Jal Arpan is the formal handover of a completed water supply scheme to the gram panchayat and village water and sanitation committee (VWSC). This transfer means the local body now owns and manages the system, with support from state officials. States must complete Jal Arpan in all villages declared as Har Ghar Jal (100 percent tap connections), and must do so in regional languages so that gram panchayat members can manage the scheme in their own language.
What this means for you
If you live in a village covered by Jal Jeevan Mission, the focus on sustainability and efficiency means that your water supply should become more reliable over time, not less. Regular maintenance will reduce breakdowns. Power efficiency measures will help local bodies keep costs down and avoid cutting water supply due to high electricity bills. Water quality testing and public reporting means you will have transparent information about whether tap water is safe to drink. And community participation in decision-making gives villagers a say in how the system is managed and what problems get fixed first.
What happens next
States and union territories have been asked to accelerate implementation of approved water supply schemes, particularly in villages affected by water quality issues. They must expedite water quality testing in schools and anganwadi centres and upload results online. Village water committees are expected to adopt operation and maintenance manuals, use the Decision Support System for planning, and maintain regular contact with gram panchayats. The DDWS will continue to review progress through regional meetings and monitor compliance with JJM 2.0 reform requirements.