Question : Water Quality Testing Laboratories

(a) whether Government provides financial and technical assistance to States including Uttar Pradesh for water quality monitoring and surveillance, including testing and cleanliness of drinking water;
(b) if so, the details of the funds made available and utilised during each of the last three years and the current year, State-wise;
(c) the number of Water Quality Testing Laboratories (WQTLs) set up/upgraded at different levels during the said period, State/UT-wise; and
(d) the details of the alternative arrangements made or being made for testing the quality of water where WQTLs have not been set up at the district level?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DRINKING WATER & SANITATION
(SHRI RAM KRIPAL YADAV)

(a) & (b) Under the centrally sponsored National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP), funds are allocated to all States including Uttar Pradesh on a fixed inter-State allocation criteria. Out of the allocations made to the States, 3% funds are earmarked for Water Quality Monitoring & Surveillance (WQMS) which inter-alia include creating and operating water quality testing laboratories at various levels in the States. Details funds made available under this WQMS component State-wise, during the last there years and current financial year is at Annex-I.
(c) The number of water quality testing laboratories created/upgraded State-wise, during the last three years and current financial year is at Annex-II.
(d) Some States like Karnataka are utilizing the laboratories of State Mines & Geology laboratories as well as through private entrepreneurs operating laboratories and testing water quality at regular intervals of time.