Insights From Solinas
In India, access to safe and reliable water varies significantly across regions.
For example, slums in Mumbai receive only 45 litres per capita per day (LPCD), compared with the recommended 135 LPCD in non-slum areas, forcing residents to rely on costly private water tankers.
These disparities highlight the importance of water equity, which means all communities have fair access to safe and reliable water services, regardless of geography or income.
Digitalization supports water equity by mapping infrastructure, tracking supply gaps, and enabling targeted delivery to underserved communities.
Visibility through digitization
Digitization helps build complete registries of water assets such as pipelines, treatment units, and household connections. The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) uses a platform called IMIS to record tap connections, village action plans, and scheme expenditure.
When this information is digitized, utilities can clearly identify areas that lack connections or have aging infrastructure. This visibility supports focused planning and maintenance.
Tracking service performance
Digitized data enables monitoring of service parameters such as the number of functional household taps, water quality results, and scheme functionality. JJM’s Water Quality Management Information System (WQMIS) stores results from testing labs and makes the data accessible. States are also adopting GIS-based digital platforms to track rural water schemes and improve transparency in reporting.
Continuous tracking through digital systems makes it easier to detect underserved zones and respond more quickly to issues.
Equitable resource allocation
When digitized data highlights the difference in service levels, administrators can direct funds and maintenance where they are needed most. Planning then becomes evidence-based, comparing performance across districts, panchayats, or wards.
The integration of digital platforms under JJM aims to equip local bodies such as gram panchayats and village water committees with data that can guide equitable decision-making.
Why this improves water equity
Underserved regions often remain invisible when data is fragmented or unavailable. Digitization ensures that mapping, tracking, and planning include every area. It helps authorities move beyond assumptions and base decisions on real service data.
Over time, this leads to more uniform access, better maintenance of rural systems, and a transparent understanding of where improvements are needed.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/mumbai-water-supply-disparity-10018212/