Uttar Pradesh has introduced a new model for rural water supply that aims to fix a long-standing problem: schemes that stop working after a few years.
Under a new policy, the state has made it mandatory for agencies to maintain drinking water projects for 10 years after they are built. This is being seen as a major shift in how rural water systems are managed.
The move is part of the Jal Jeevan Mission and is being implemented under the ‘Jal Arpan’ initiative.
For the first time, construction agencies will not just build the infrastructure but will also be responsible for its upkeep for a decade.
These agencies will work closely with Gram Panchayats to ensure that water supply systems continue to function properly under the ‘Har Ghar Jal’ programme.
At the same time, ownership of these schemes has already been transferred to village-level bodies, giving them a direct role in managing water supply.
Officials say this combination of local ownership and long-term maintenance is expected to improve reliability.
The policy is based on lessons from earlier failures.
Many rural water projects in the past stopped functioning within a few years. The main reasons included poor maintenance, rising and unpaid electricity bills, and limited involvement of local communities.
“Previously several rural water schemes collapsed due to weak maintenance arrangements, huge and unpaid electricity bills and limited community participation. As a result, assets deteriorated quickly, leaving many villages without consistent water supply,” said Anurag Srivastava, Additional Chief Secretary of the Namami Gange and Rural Water Supply department.
To address this, the new model makes agencies accountable for performance over the long term.
“The firms are contractually bound to manage infrastructure upkeep, performance and repairs throughout the period,” he said.
The plan also strengthens water testing systems across the state.
A network of 75 district-level laboratories, one state-level lab, five mobile NABL-accredited labs and 72 in-house labs at treatment plants has been put in place.
This is aimed at ensuring that water supplied to households meets quality standards.
A Citizen Charter is also being introduced under the Public Service Guarantee Act.
This will give people clear rights related to water supply, including quantity, quality and service timelines.
The aim is to make service providers more accountable to consumers.
To reduce operational costs, the state has also shifted many water schemes to solar energy.
More than 33,000 schemes are now running on solar power, which officials say has helped cut costs by 52%.
This is expected to make the systems more sustainable while reducing dependence on conventional electricity.
The 10-year maintenance rule marks a shift from building infrastructure to ensuring it works over time.
By combining long-term responsibility, local participation and better monitoring, the state is trying to address the gaps that led to failures in the past.
The success of this model will depend on how well these systems are maintained in the coming years and whether similar approaches are adopted in other states.