Despite progress in many other infrastructure and service provisions, providing access to potable drinking water remains a challenge in most rural areas. The complex aspect of this issue is that this problem defies natural conditions. Medium rainfall regions of Saurashtra and Madhya Pradesh, and high rainfall regions like Dangs in Gujarat, have problems of access, while the shallow ground water regions of North Bihar and Coastal Gujarat have problems of water quality. The Government has invested substantially to address this problem.,Though challenges persist to some extent, its impact can be seen in states like Gujarat which created a special purpose organisations like WASMO (Water and Sanitation Management Organisation). Bihar and Madhya Pradesh will need further investments, and special purpose organisations to address the problem on a large scale.
The increased sales of household RO units depicts that there is an increased awareness of the link between water quality and health, though the trend may be more urban than rural.
AKRSP(I)'s work in drinking water sector can be categorised as follows
A key aspect of our work in drinking water is the ownership of the community over drinking water infrastructure and services. Schemes promoted by us are fully managed by the community including construction, repairs and maintenance.
AKRSP(I) has completed work in over 325 villages on ensuring access and quality of drinking water. It has benefitted over 300,000 people in these villages.