CASE STUDY

India’s Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)

Background

India has faced significant challenges in providing clean and safe drinking water, especially in rural areas. In 2019, the Government of India launched the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) to ensure 100% household tap water connections by 2024. This initiative aligns directly with SDG 6, aiming to provide sustainable and equitable access to clean water.

Key Objectives

• Provide safe and adequate drinking water to every rural household by 2024.

• Promote community participation in water management through Village Water and Sanitation Committees.

• Implement water conservation and recharge systems to prevent depletion.

• Encourage the use of technology and smart monitoring for water distribution.

Impact So Far

• As of January 2024, over 12 crore (120 million) rural households have received tap water connections.

• Several states like Goa, Telangana, and Haryana have achieved 100% coverage under JJM.

• Reduced the burden on women and children, who traditionally spent hours collecting water.

• Improved health outcomes by reducing waterborne diseases.

Challenges Faced

• Groundwater depletion in states like Rajasthan and Gujarat.

• Contamination issues (arsenic, fluoride, iron) in regions like West Bengal and Assam.

• Maintenance of infrastructure to ensure long-term sustainability.

Lessons Learned

• Community ownership ensures better maintenance and sustainability of water projects.

• Technology-driven solutions like IoT-based water monitoring improve efficiency.

• Integrated water resource management is essential for long-term water security.

Conclusion

The Jal Jeevan Mission is a major step toward achieving SDG 6 in India. While challenges remain, strong government policies, community participation, and technological innovations are driving progress. This initiative serves as a global model for water sustainability.

There are some more case studies that are to be included while reading understanding the importance of SDG 6:

1. Mission Bhagiratha:- https://missionbhagiratha.telangana.gov.in/

2. Namami Gange:- https://nmcg.nic.in/NamamiGanga.aspx#:~:text='Namami%20Gange%20Programme'%2C%20is,rejuvenation%20of%20National%20River%20Ganga.

3. AMRUT:- https://assamurban.in/amrut-atal-mission-for-rejuvenation-and-urban-transformation-01h1p8yn1djn73qs22g58nhrr1#:~:text=Atal%20Mission%20for%20Rejuvenation%20and%20Urban%20Transformation%20(AMRUT)%202.0%20scheme,to%20all%20households%20in%20all

4. Swach Bharat Mission:- https://swachhbharatmission.ddws.gov.in/#:~:text=Initiated%20in%202014%20by%20the,largest%20behavioral%20change%20movement%20globally.

This SDG also has a importany role on the global front:- 

1. Cape Town's Water Crisis:- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Town_water_crisis#:~:text=%22Day%20Zero%22%20became%20a%20term,their%20daily%20ration%20of%20water.

2. Singapore's NEWater:- https://www.pub.gov.sg/Public/WaterLoop/OurWaterStory/NEWater#:~:text=The%20NEWater%20process%20recycles%20our,4%20NEWater%20plants%20in%20operation.