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Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation in India

UID: SDG-06-20240822-IN-06

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Source

National Data and Analytics Platform (NDAP)

Last Updated

August 29, 2024

Time Range

2020-2020

Periodicity

N.A

Overview

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a global initiative by the United Nations, established in 2015, to address critical issues affecting people and the planet. SDG 6, “Clean Water and Sanitation,” focuses on ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030. Access to clean water and adequate sanitation is a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of public health, economic development, and environmental sustainability. SDG 6 is vital for reducing disease, improving quality of life, and promoting sustainable development.

Trends & Insights

Access to safe drinking water shows significant variation across states. While some states like Goa and Telangana report 100% of their rural population getting safe and adequate drinking water within premises through Pipe Water Supply (PWS), others lag behind. Uttar Pradesh (20.3%), Assam (25.7%), and Meghalaya (23.5%) show the lowest percentages, indicating a need for focused efforts in these regions. However, when considering improved sources of drinking water more broadly, most states report high percentages (above 90%), with many achieving 100% coverage.

Sanitation has seen remarkable progress across India. The data shows 100% achievement in individual household toilets constructed under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) for all states and union territories. Similarly, all districts have been verified to be Open Defecation Free (ODF) under the same mission. This represents a significant milestone in improving sanitation across the country.

School sanitation also shows positive trends, with most states reporting over 90% of schools having separate toilet facilities for girls. However, there’s still room for improvement in some states like Arunachal Pradesh (70.1%), Assam (75.3%), and Meghalaya (68%).

Industrial wastewater treatment compliance varies across states. While states like Manipur, Nagaland, and Tripura report 100% compliance among highly polluting industries, others like Delhi (53.4%) and Rajasthan (65.8%) show lower compliance rates. This highlights the need for stricter enforcement and support for industrial wastewater treatment in some regions.

Groundwater management presents a significant challenge for many states. The data on groundwater withdrawal against availability reveals concerning trends. States like Haryana (136.9%), Punjab (165.8%), and Rajasthan (139.9%) are withdrawing significantly more groundwater than what’s sustainably available. This over-exploitation is reflected in the high percentage of over-exploited blocks/mandals/talukas in these states (Haryana: 60.9%, Punjab: 79%, Rajasthan: 62.7%). In contrast, many northeastern states and union territories report low groundwater withdrawal percentages and no over-exploited blocks, indicating more sustainable water use patterns.

In conclusion, India has made significant strides in certain aspects of SDG 6, particularly in sanitation coverage and providing improved sources of drinking water. The universal achievement of individual household toilets and Open Defecation Free status across all districts is a notable success. However, challenges remain in ensuring piped water supply to all rural households, improving industrial wastewater treatment compliance in some states, and addressing the critical issue of groundwater over-exploitation in several regions.

To fully achieve SDG 6, focused efforts are needed to: Expand piped water supply infrastructure, especially in states with low coverage, Maintain and improve sanitation facilities, particularly in schools, Enhance industrial compliance with wastewater treatment norms, Implement sustainable groundwater management practices, especially in over-exploited regions, Address regional disparities in water and sanitation infrastructure. These efforts will be crucial for ensuring sustainable access to clean water and sanitation for all of India’s population, while also safeguarding its water resources for future generations.

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Citation

Please cite this article using proper attribution to 360 Analytika when referencing or sharing our content.

National Data and Analytics Platform by NITI Aayog. (2024). Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation (360 Analytika, Ed.) [Dataset]. 360 Analytika. https://360analytika.com/sustainable-development-goal-6-clean-water-and-sanitation/

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