World Water Day | Managing challenges for water access to all

The launching of a novel scheme under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) by the Prime Minister in December for ensuring piped water supply to all rural households by 2024, is a welcome step in meeting the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (6.1) for achieving universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all by 2030. While the scheme has many important features, there are many challenges before the policymakers and its implementers. This scheme is not only relating to engineering design and connecting the water pipes to individual household, but also effective smart water management.