A modelling study conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and commissioned by the Jal Shakti Ministry reveals that the successful implementation of India’s Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) to provide piped potable water to the entire country could prevent around 400,000 deaths caused by diarrhoea. The study also highlights the potential to avoid 14 million Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) due to diarrhoea, save approximately $101 billion, and free up 66.6 million hours per day that would otherwise be spent collecting water, primarily by women.
As of now, 62% of rural households in India have piped water connections, an increase from 16.6% in 2019 when the JJM was launched. The government aims to achieve 100% coverage by 2024, ensuring that each household receives at least 55 liters of potable water per capita per day throughout the year.
However, it should be noted that the WHO study is an extrapolation and does not account for the current level of coverage or the extent of water contamination in the provided piped water. Dr. Rick Johnston from the WHO clarified that these factors were not considered in the study. The authors of the study utilized population data from the United Nations, the 2018 National Sample Survey, and water quality data collected by the JJM to arrive at their estimates.
Several states and union territories, including Gujarat, Telangana, Haryana, Punjab, and others, have reported full coverage or near saturation. Vini Mahajan, the Secretary of the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, emphasized that investments in sanitation interventions yield significant returns, with every dollar invested resulting in a $4.3 reduction in healthcare costs.
The study underscores the potential health impact of achieving nationwide piped potable water access, which would significantly reduce diarrhoea-related deaths and improve the quality of life for millions of people in India.
