Uttar Pradesh emphasised to prevent water-borne diseases in rural areas through community driven participation

The Uttar Pradesh government on Friday (May 29, 2026) said it is prioritizing water quality testing with a community-driven approach to effectively prevent waterborne diseases in rural areas and maintain a robust system for quality assurance and monitoring.

Under the initiative, which encourages participation at the community level, women were trained to test water quality using Field Test Kits (FTKs) for early and effective detection of water pollution and strengthen local community ownership in rural water quality monitoring.

“Under Jal Jeevan Mission, a robust quality assurance and monitoring system has been implemented to ensure safe drinking water in rural areas,” said Anurag Srivastava, Additional Chief Secretary, Namami Ganges and Rural Water Supply Department. HinduIn Lucknow.

“To promote participation at the community level, women have been trained to test water quality using Field Test Kits (FTKs) for early and effective detection of water pollution and strengthening local ownership of rural water quality monitoring. In this context, the Field Test Kit (FTK) campaign under the Jal Jeevan Mission has become an important platform for women empowerment and self-sufficiency. By engaging expert women’s groups in over 97,000 villages in the state to this initiative, the government has implemented clean and quality drinking water only in rural areas it ensures water supply but also improves women’s technical skills,” said Mr. Srivastava.

Mr. Srivastava, a 1992-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, added that the remuneration earned for testing the purity of water in villages also creates additional income and new opportunities for self-employment for rural women.

“As part of this mission, groups of five women have been equipped with Field Testing Kits in almost all Gram Panchayats and revenue villages across the state. Currently, trained women are actively participating in water quality testing. These women routinely test water samples from drinking water sources and household taps in their localities. The ongoing nature of this quality testing initiative is evident from the fact that around 63,700 water quality samples have been tested so far in the current financial year. At the village level, these women are detecting harmful chemicals.” and bacteria in pipelines, tube wells and other drinking water sources using FTKs,” he told Mr. Srivastava. Hindu.

Raj Shekhar, Director General, Jal Nigam (Rural), Uttar Pradesh, said that these trained women, who are part of the department’s community-oriented initiative, immediately notified the department to prevent various water-borne diseases caused by contaminated water without delay.

“In case of suspected or contaminated water sources, these women immediately inform the ministry to prevent various waterborne diseases caused by contaminated water without delay. Earlier, individuals had to wait for a long time for water testing; but with the introduction of Field Testing Kits and social promotion campaign, immediate action can now be taken as soon as contaminated water sources are detected. Earlier, people had to wait for a long time for water testing, but now, thanks to Field Testing Kits, it has become possible to take instant action as soon as contaminated water sources are detected. This program only ensures the purity of water.” It not only provides but also becomes a tool of economic empowerment for rural women,” said Mr. Shekhar. Hindu.

Mr. Shekhar, a 2004 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, added that the women associated with the Field Test work were paid as per the prescribed rates for the test work carried out by them.

“They are paid ₹20 per test and a maximum of INR 400 for up to 20 tests. This arrangement has become an excellent tool for rural women to earn additional income and become self-employed. Under Jal Jeevan Mission’s ‘Water Quality Monitoring and Surveillance Programme’, we provide technical training to women such as proper functioning of this Field Test Kit (FTK), safe collection of water samples from various drinking water sources, detailed testing, etc. identification, saving post-test reports in the online application and obtaining other important information regarding safe drinking water standards and cleanliness,” added Mr. Shekhar.