How safe are the global water coverage figures? Case study from Madhya Pradesh, India
Sam Godfrey1, Pawan Labhasetwar, Satish Wate
1UNICEF, 1440 Zimbabwe Avenue, Maputo, Mozambique.
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
|July 17, 2010
Summary
Safe water access in India is overestimated by the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP). A new assessment revealed microbiological contamination significantly reduces actual safe water coverage, highlighting the need for quality data in reporting.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Public Health
- Water Quality Assessment
Background:
- The WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) provides global water access data.
- Current JMP definitions of safe water access do not account for water quality.
- National surveys like MICS and DHS are used by JMP, with India reporting 89% coverage in 2007.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of water quality on reported safe water access in Indore Zone, Madhya Pradesh.
- To compare JMP data with a water quality assessment using the Rapid Assessment of Drinking Water Quality (RADWQ) technique.
Main Methods:
- Application of the Rapid Assessment of Drinking Water Quality (RADWQ) statistical tool.
- Utilized a random multiple cluster sampling technique for water quality assessment.
- Compared RADWQ findings with existing JMP/MICS data for Indore Zone.
Main Results:
- RADWQ identified significant microbiological contamination (thermotolerant coliforms).
- JMP coverage figures were reduced by up to 40% when water safety was considered.
- Safe water coverage in Indore Zone decreased from 42% to 25% after including quality parameters.
Conclusions:
- The JMP may overestimate safe water access due to a lack of water quality assessment.
- Microbiological contamination poses a significant risk to drinking water safety in the study area.
- Recommends integrating water quality/safety data into future UNICEF/WHO JMP reports for accurate global water access figures.
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