New Delhi, Oct 7 (PTI) Pipeline leakages and breakages are leading cause of disruptions in rural water supply, followed by power cuts and low-voltage related challenges, according to findings of the Jal Seva Adhyayan which were discussed at a regional review meeting on Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2.0 on Wednesday.
The meeting, attended by representatives of states and Union territories, was organised by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), Union Ministry of Jal Shakti, at the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore.
The study highlighted the need to reduce power-related costs and explore renewable energy solutions to improve operational and financial sustainability of rural water supply schemes.
DDWS Secretary Ashok K K Meena said discussions are underway with the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy to examine shifting drinking water assets across the country to solar power.
He said innovative approaches leveraging solar energy can reduce operational costs, improve service reliability and strengthen long-term sustainability of rural drinking water systems.
Meena said Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 marks a significant shift from infrastructure creation to sustainable and accountable service delivery, and urged states and Union territories to accelerate implementation of approved schemes and effectively utilise available resources.
He stressed the need for outcomes-based implementation, saying expenditure must be translated into functional infrastructure supported by complete source-to-household connectivity, robust digital records and effective monitoring systems.
Meena called upon states to expedite implementation of both single-village and multi-village water supply schemes, particularly in quality-affected areas, and ensure timely utilisation of available resources.
Kamal Kishore Soan, Additional Secretary and Mission Director, National Jal Jeevan Mission, highlighted the importance of addressing operational challenges affecting rural water supply schemes.
Referring to findings of the Jal Seva Adhyayan, Soan said low voltage and poor power quality continue to impact service delivery in several areas. He said reducing power-related costs can significantly improve operational sustainability and urged states and Union territories to work collectively to identify practical solutions for improving energy efficiency and reducing recurring operation and maintenance expenditure.
Prof Gopal Naik, JJM Professor Chair at IIM Bangalore, presented a study titled “Power Cost Optimization in JJM Scheme”, which examined various energy configurations for rural water supply systems, including grid-based and solar-powered models, and assessed their implications on operational and life-cycle costs.
The presentation highlighted opportunities to reduce recurring operation and maintenance expenditure, improve affordability of water services and enhance financial sustainability of rural water supply schemes through innovative energy solutions.
The meeting also featured presentations on drinking water quality monitoring and management using Water Quality Management Information System data. The findings indicated significant improvements in drinking water quality compliance across several parameters following implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission.
Meena emphasised the importance of establishing independent water quality surveillance mechanisms to strengthen transparency and accountability in rural water supply systems.
He underscored the need to make water quality information available to gram panchayats and communities and highlighted the role of gram sabhas in reviewing water quality findings and identifying remedial measures.
The meeting reviewed progress on key JJM 2.0 priorities, including state implementation plans, financial reconciliation, ‘Har Ghar Jal’ certification in PM-JANMAN villages, ‘Jal Arpan’, digital governance initiatives and water quality management.
In his concluding remarks, Soan urged states and Union territories to accelerate implementation of key reform initiatives under JJM 2.0.
He called for completion of ‘Jal Arpan’, formal handing over of schemes to gram panchayats and village water and sanitation committees, in ‘Har Ghar Jal’ villages and generation of certificates in approved regional languages.
Soan also called upon states and Union territories to expedite water quality testing, particularly in Anganwadi centres and other public institutions, and ensure timely uploading of test results on designated digital platforms.
He urged states to implement the operation and maintenance manual at the gram panchayat level, actively utilise the decision support system for source sustainability planning and monitoring, strengthen coordination with panchayat institutions and complete capacity-building activities under JJM 2.0. PTI ADI ARB
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