Author: Meenu Rani
Access to clean and reliable water is fundamental for human survival and the sustenance of life. Despite significant governmental efforts to provide water infrastructure, rural areas, especially in states like Haryana, continue to face substantial challenges.
This study focusses on the rural areas of Rohtak District, Haryana, a region where the government, through various schemes like the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), has made strides towards ensuring tap water for all households. However, the practical implementation and actual impact of these schemes vary significantly across villages.
The analysis of the findings from the field survey sheds light on the challenges associated with water frequency, supply, quality, and the problems faced by households in obtaining sufficient and safe water.
Results
The study presents detailed data on the frequency and duration of water supply, the quantity of water available to households, issues related to water collection, and season-specific problems in water supply.
Frequency and duration of water supply
One of the significant findings of the study is the irregularity in the frequency and duration of water supply. The Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) supplies water to the villages of Rohtak at varying intervals. Around 39% of households receive water once every two days, while 38% receive water once every three days. The duration of the water supply in these cases is limited to 20-30 minutes per day, meaning that households need to store enough water for several days in a short time span.
Villages like Samchana and Chamaria fare better, where households receive water every two days for 20-30 minutes. However, the inconsistency in water supply is a significant issue, with 11% of households receiving water less frequently and with inadequate duration.
Quantity of water supplied
The survey revealed that only 39% of households received a sufficient quantity of water for their daily needs, while 61% reported limited water availability. Villages such as Bahu Akbarpur and Nidana experienced a greater shortage of water, with 75% and 72% of households, respectively, reporting insufficient supply. In contrast, Chamaria village had a relatively better supply, with 61% of households expressing satisfaction with the quantity of water provided.
The variation in water supply quantity across villages underscores a disparity in resource allocation or infrastructure maintenance, with some villages better served than others.
Challenges during water collection
Households in rural Rohtak face significant challenges in water collection. Three primary issues were identified: poor water quality, unreliable water supply, and insufficient water quantity. Around 31% of households reported poor water quality, while 48% expressed dissatisfaction with the reliability of the supply, and 58% reported receiving an insufficient amount of water. These challenges are exacerbated in specific villages, such as Kherainti, where 55% of households complained about water quality. In Bahu Akbarpur, a staggering 68% of households reported unreliable water supply, pointing to a severe infrastructure or management issue.
Season-specific water supply problems
Water scarcity in rural Rohtak is highly seasonal. The summer months, in particular, present a considerable challenge, with 51% of households reporting poor water supply during this period. In Bahu Akbarpur, this problem is especially pronounced, with 67% of households facing water shortages during the summer. Winter and monsoon seasons pose fewer challenges, likely due to the natural replenishment of water sources, but the overall inconsistency in water supply remains a year-round problem for many villages.
Leakage issues and response time
Leakage in water distribution systems is a major concern in rural Rohtak. The study found that 57% of households experienced significant delays in the repair of water leaks, with PHED taking over 15 days to address these issues in many cases. Villages like Bahu Akbarpur and Nidana are particularly affected, with more than 65% of households reporting delays in leakage checks. Faster response times were noted in Chamaria, where leakages were resolved within 7-15 days, though even this timeframe suggests room for improvement.
Discussion
The results of this study highlight several critical issues related to the rural water supply in Rohtak, Haryana. The irregularity in water supply frequency and duration directly affects the ability of households to meet their daily water needs, especially in larger households or those with lower incomes. The inconsistency in the quantity of water supplied further compounds this problem, with many households unable to store sufficient water between supply cycles.
Moreover, the challenges related to water quality and reliability undermine the progress made by initiatives such as the Jal Jeevan Mission. While these programs aim to provide tap water connections to every household, the reality on the ground is that many households still rely on alternative sources, such as private suppliers, due to dissatisfaction with the government-supplied water.
Season-specific water shortages are another concern that requires targeted intervention. The summer months, in particular, present a critical period where water demand is at its highest, but supply is often at its lowest. This seasonal variation exacerbates existing issues with water supply and highlights the need for better resource management and infrastructure resilience.
Finally, the slow response times to address leaks in the water distribution system indicate a lack of proactive management and maintenance by the PHED. Leaks not only result in water wastage but also contribute to contamination, further reducing the quality of the water supplied to households. The long delays in repairing these leaks suggest a need for improved monitoring and faster intervention by local authorities.
Conclusion
The study of tap water supply in rural Rohtak district underscores the challenges that continue to plague water distribution in India's rural areas, despite government efforts to improve access and infrastructure. The irregular supply, insufficient quantity, poor quality, and season-specific shortages all point to systemic issues that need to be addressed to ensure the success of initiatives like the Jal Jeevan Mission.
To improve the situation, a more holistic approach is needed—one that not only focuses on providing tap connections but also ensures the sustainability, reliability, and quality of the water supplied. Local authorities, such as the PHED, must take more proactive measures in maintaining infrastructure, addressing leaks promptly, and ensuring that all households receive a fair and consistent water supply, particularly during the high-demand summer months.
Special attention should be given to villages like Bahu Akbarpur, Nidana, and Kherainti, where the challenges are most severe. A community-based approach that involves local stakeholders in water management decisions could be beneficial in addressing these issues. By taking such steps, the goal of providing safe, reliable, and sufficient water to all rural households in Rohtak can become a reality.