Question : Water Testing Laboratories

(a) the total number of drinking water testing laboratories in the country as on date State-wise;
(b) whether the Government is considering any proposal regarding setting up of a water testing laboratory in each district of the country
(c) if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the Government has received any proposal from some States during the last three years to set up water testing laboratories in each district;
(e) if so, the details thereof; and
(f) the action taken or likely to be taken by the Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI
(SHRI RATTAN LAL KATARIA)

(a) to (f) Rural Drinking water supply is a State subject. For improving the coverage of safe drinking water to rural population, this Ministry supplements the efforts of the States by providing them with technical and financial assistance through the centrally sponsored scheme National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP). It is the State Governments who plan, design, approve, execute, operate & maintain Water Quality Testing Laboratory(WQTL) for ensuring safe drinking water to rural population.

Under the Centrally Sponsored National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) guidelines, upto 5% of NRDWP coverage funds can be used by states for Water Quality Monitoring and Surveillance( WQM&S) activities which inter-alia includes setting up of and upgrading existing Water Quality Laboratories at various levels, providing chemicals and consumables to laboratories etc as per guidelines .

The State-wise details of drinking water testing laboratories as reported by the States in Integrated Management Information System (IMIS) of this Ministry, as on 20.06.2019, are placedatAnnexure.