JJM water testing network covers AP, Telangana as Centre strengthens rural water quality monitoring

The Centre on Monday informed the Rajya Sabha that 2,870 drinking water quality testing laboratories are operational across the country under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) , including facilities in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana , to ensure safe piped drinking water supply in rural areas.

In a written reply, Minister of State for Jal Shakti V. Somanna said that the laboratories are run by State Public Health Engineering and Rural Water Supply departments at multiple levels — State, regional, district, block, sub-division, mobile units and water treatment plant facilities .

In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana , water quality testing laboratories are functioning under the respective State Rural Water Supply and Public Health Engineering departments , with testing data being uploaded to the national JJM–Water Quality Management Information System (JJM-WQMIS) portal for monitoring and surveillance.

To improve transparency and public confidence, the Centre has advised States, including AP and TS, to open their water quality testing laboratories to the general public at a nominal fee , enabling citizens to test drinking water samples. Routine village-level testing carried out by the departments under JJM remains free of cost.

The Ministry has also directed States and Union Territories to strengthen their laboratory networks by identifying gaps and, where necessary, exploring Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models for additional testing facilities.

To ensure accuracy and reliability of test results, States have been asked to get their laboratories accredited or recognised . The Centre has held meetings with States, including Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, and accreditation bodies to address challenges such as shortage of assessors and delays in accreditation .

A ‘Citizen Corner’ has been added to the JJM dashboard, displaying village-level water quality test results in the public domain, including data from AP and TS, to create awareness and build trust in rural piped water supply systems.

Further, a ‘Concise Handbook for Monitoring Water Quality of Piped Drinking Water Supply to Rural Households’ , released in December 2024 , guides States on comprehensive testing at water sources, treatment plants, storage and distribution points, and on taking remedial measures wherever contamination is detected.