Building the information backbone for India’s drinking water future

Data and its management are the backbone of any system, and any differences in that may appear technical but have real consequences. When definitions differ and data sources conflict, states spend valuable time reconciling spreadsheets instead of solving problems on the ground. Engineers struggle to prioritise repairs and progress slows down, not because of lack of effort, but of absence of a holistic picture.

As India undertakes one of the world’s largest rural water supply transformations, this challenge needs urgent attention. Since the launch of the Jal Jeevan Mission in 2019, household tap water coverage in rural India has increased from 16.72% to over 81%. This achievement is not just about pipes and connections. It is about lives changed, saving over 5.5 crore hours of daily drudgery (largely for women), and preventing nearly four lakh deaths from diarrhoeal diseases.

But building pipes and pumps is only one part of the journey. The real test is ensuring water flows regularly, safely, and sustainably for years to come. That requires constant monitoring of infrastructure, early detection of problems, and coordinated action across multiple institutions.

This is where India has begun laying the foundations for Digital Public Infrastructure for the drinking water sector. A key building block in this effort is the creation of a unique digital identity for every drinking water scheme through Sujalam Bharat IDs and Sujal Gaon IDs.

A Sujalam Bharat ID establishes a comprehensive digital record of hydraulically connected assets from source to tap. Integrated with platforms such as the Sujalam Bharat App, it enables the creation of Sujal Gaon IDs and provides a clear view of how water systems are interconnected. This enhances monitoring, promotes transparency, and contributes to building a technologically empowered Viksit Bharat @2047.

Scheme performance

Infrastructure data alone are not enough. For drinking water systems to remain reliable, digital systems must also capture how these schemes perform over time. Data on the regularity of water supply, water levels in sources, water quality indicators and the financial sustainability of schemes are equally important. When such information flows regularly into digital systems, governments and communities can better understand whether schemes are functioning as intended and where attention is needed.

Reliable operational data can transform how the sector responds to challenges. Declining source levels and irregular supply patterns can be detected early. Water quality risks can be flagged before they become public health concerns. Timely financial planning for operation and maintenance can ensure that systems continue to deliver their intended benefits.

Equally important, this visibility strengthens community governance. Gram panchayats and village water and sanitation committees play a central role in managing rural drinking water systems, with a close understanding of local needs and seasonal water realities.

When local institutions can see both the physical infrastructure and how it is performing, they gain a clearer understanding of their water supply systems. Information on pipelines, pumps and tanks, combined with data on supply regularity, water levels, water quality and financial sustainability, provides village institutions with a simple but powerful view of their systems. With this data, communities can spot problems early and resolve them with engineers. For gram panchayats and village water and sanitation committees, this transparency strengthens local water management and Jan Bhagidari.

As this infrastructure evolves, states can share information more easily using common formats. They retain control of their systems while enabling collective learning on what works and where improvement is needed.

These foundations can enable data- and AI-driven innovations. Frontline workers can capture images of pumps and pipelines, and AI can assess supply, detect damage, and flag maintenance needs. Analytics can identify risks and patterns that need attention. All of this depends on one thing: trusted, reliable information flowing through the system.

Pipes and pumps will deliver water, but trusted, shared information will keep them working well for years. When communities understand their water systems, they care for them. When local institutions have the right information and tools, they manage them with confidence. And when digital infrastructure supports people on the ground, safe and sustainable drinking water for every rural household can be ensured.

When communities understand their water systems, they care for them. When local institutions have the right information and tools, they manage them with confidence. And when digital infrastructure supports people on the ground, safe and sustainable drinking water for every rural household can endure. The Jal Jeevan Mission has connected millions of rural households to tap water. The next phase is ensuring these systems remain functional over time. The recently concluded Jal Mahotsav 2026 reflected this shift, recognising communities across the country for their role in managing drinking water assets, showing that this spirit is already taking root at the grassroots and must now be strengthened to ensure systems remain functional over time.

Anuj Sharma is CEO and Manu Srivastava is COO of Arghyam. Views expressed are personal

Published – April 03, 2026 12:20 am IST