(a) whether the Government has taken measures to ensure regular maintenance of water purification system;
(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
(c) the details of Water Quality Testing Laboratories set up to enhance the availability of more purified drinking water to the public along with their current operational status in the country, State/UT-wise?
MINISTER OF DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION
(SUSHREE UMA BHARTI)
(a) to (c) A Statement of reply is laid on the Table of the House.
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Statement referred to in the reply to Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 97 due for reply on 21.12.2017
(a) & (b) : Rural drinking water supply is a State subject. The Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation is assisting the States technically and financially through the centrally sponsored National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP). Powers to plan, design, approval, execution and operation & maintenance of the schemes are already delegated to the State Governments.
Water purification system are of two types namely,
1) Community Water Purification Plants for short term measures
2) Water Treatment Plants (WTPs) for piped water supply schemes as long term measures.
In order to assist the States in proper implementation and then operation and maintenance of water purification plants, the Ministry has provided the guidelines and guidance to the States :-
1) Issued guidelines for commissioning of Community Water Purification Plants for arsenic and fluoride in November, 2014.
2) An Operation & Maintenance (O&M) Manual was developed in May, 2013 and circulated to all States so as to assist the States in undertaking O&M.
(c) : State/UT-wise number of various level water quality testing laboratories including mobile laboratories setup and operated in the country as reported by the State/UTs into the online Integrated Management Information System of the Ministry as on 15/12/2017 is at Annexure. Since 2015 to till date, 30 laboratories have been accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) throughout the Country, which follows internationally accepted standards of ISO :17025.