Standards for Potable Water | Civil Engineering Optional Notes for UPSC PDF Download

Introduction

Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has prepared a draft standard titled 'Drinking water supply quality management system — requirements for piped drinking water supply service'.

Draft Standard: Key Points

A. Scope

• Outlines the process of water supply from raw water sources to household taps.
• Aims to make piped water supply more uniform, especially in rural and underdeveloped areas.
• Developed keeping in view the Centre's Jal Jeevan Mission.

B. Features

Requirements for water supplier/utility

• Establish, operate, maintain and improve piped drinking water supply service.

Guidelines for top management

• Accountability, customer focus, quality policy, water quality monitoring, water audit.

Sets Indian Standard (IS) 10500 for treated drinking water

• Limits for heavy metals, pH value, turbidity, total dissolved solids, color, and odor.

Adoption of District Metering Area (DMA) concept for controlling leakages.
Provision for bulk water meters and domestic meters, with tamper-proof measures.
Water sampling at treatment plant every 4 hours for quality parameters.

Background

• Quality of drinking water became an issue after BIS report in 2019 found Delhi's tap water as the worst among 21 metros/state capitals.
• Tap water in 13 state capitals did not comply with BIS standards.

JAL JEEVAN MISSION

• Government's mission to provide water supply to every household by 2024.

Key Features

A. Based on water conservation efforts

- Point recharge, desilting of minor irrigation tanks, greywater use, source sustainability.

B. Community approach and Information, Education and Communication component.
C. Convergence with other Central and State Government Schemes.
D. Nodal ministry: Jal Shakti Ministry.

Water Quality Criteria