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Background

2.6 Challenges and SWOT analysis

The challenges faced in the drinking water sector are as mentioned in the figure below:

CHANGING RAINFALL PATTERNS
As per the latest rainfall sta s cs of India report, IMD
states that the seasonal rainfall for the country as a
whole was less than the normal value. Due to climate
change, there is a considerable spa al & temporal
varia on in rainfall resul ng in lesser surface storage.
WATER QUALITY ISSUES
As per CGWB 2018 data, around 50% assessment units
(blocks/ firkas/ mandals) are found to be contaminated
with Arsenic, Fluoride, Chlorine, Nitrate and/or Salinity
due to both geogenic and anthropogenic causes.

INADEQUATE INFRASTRUCTURE
Inadequate infrastructure to raise service levels from
40 to 55 Ipcd & provide last-mile connec vity to
individual households; aging infrastructure; lack of grey
water management; absence of source sustainability
measures, viz. rainwater harves ng structures,
borewell recharge structures, etc.

POOR O&M
Even though the Na onal Water Policy, 2012
prescribes States to recover full O&M costs of water
supply systems, except few States, there is inadequate
financial alloca on to O&M leading to poor upkeep of
assets ul mately falling into disuse.
LACK OF RESOURCE EFFICIENCY
Lack of responsible consump on, wastage of water,
leakages at distribu on & end use points, biological
contamina on, over drawl for agriculture, etc. are
prevalent leading to inefficient resource u liza on.

LESS COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
The 73 Amendment to the Cons tu on of India
devolved the responsibility of drinking water supply to
local self-governments. However, the approach has
been predominantly engineering/ construc on
oriented. This has resulted in limited involvement of
communi es in design, planning and implementa on.

COORDINATION CHALLENGES
Mul ple Government Departments such as water
resources, public health engineering, urban
development, groundwater, rural development, rural
water supply & sanita on, etc. involved in water sector
has led to coordina on challenges.

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