When Water Standards Don’t Hold Water, Reassessing India’s Per Capita Supply Norms
Why in News?
India’s water governance is under scrutiny as experts raise concerns about the flawed and arbitrary use of the per capita water supply standard (lpcd)—a key metric used to determine and plan urban water distribution. Despite its widespread use in urban planning and government schemes, the metric lacks scientific basis and fails to reflect ground realities.
Introduction
How much water should a person receive daily? In India, the answer isn’t based on necessity or scientific research but on a generalized standard — the litres per capita per day (lpcd). This figure is used by urban planners and policymakers to estimate needs and design water supply systems. However, this “one-size-fits-all” approach has been increasingly criticized for its disconnect with actual consumption patterns, socio-economic diversity, and infrastructure capabilities.
Key Issues
1. What is Per Capita Water Standard (lpcd)?
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It is a benchmark used to calculate daily water needs per person to develop and maintain water supply services.
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It’s based on population data and used to assess water adequacy and design infrastructure.
2. Lack of Scientific Basis
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Standards set by CPHEEO, BIS, and other authorities aren’t based on large-scale consumer surveys or empirical data.
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Different cities have varying needs depending on geography, culture, and lifestyle, yet a single lpcd is often prescribed nationwide.
3. Cities Deviating from Norms
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Mumbai adopted 150 lpcd for the Gargai Dam project instead of the 240 lpcd core standard, just to align with CPHEEO norms and access funding.
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Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) prescribes 55 lpcd for rural areas, but this low standard ignores increased household usage due to toilets and tap connections under later programs.
4. No Monitoring or Metering
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There’s no proper mechanism to measure actual delivery to households.
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Many cities lack bulk water meters or functional taps, making it impossible to track how much water is actually reaching citizens.
5. Policy Disconnect
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Water is measured at the city level, but citizens may receive far less.
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These standards influence funding and planning but often serve administrative ease rather than real-life need.
Challenges and the Way Forward
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Challenges: Lack of individual water metering, over-reliance on outdated or generalized norms, limited local adaptation, and absence of outcome monitoring.
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Way Forward:
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Shift towards evidence-based per capita standards.
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Prioritize equity in water access.
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Introduce monitoring systems and promote functional household tap connections.
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Empower local governance to set standards tailored to real community needs.
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Conclusion
India’s reliance on outdated, one-size-fits-all water standards risks undermining both infrastructure development and equitable water access. It’s time to replace these arbitrary figures with evidence-driven, citizen-focused benchmarks. Water is a right—its delivery must be both measurable and just.
5 Q&A Based on the Article
Q1. What is the ‘per capita water supply standard’ in India?
A: It is the amount of water (in litres per capita per day or lpcd) a person is assumed to need, used for planning and designing water supply systems.
Q2. Why are these standards problematic?
A: They are not based on real consumption data or surveys and fail to reflect regional, cultural, and economic differences.
Q3. What example shows cities deviating from the standards?
A: Mumbai adopted 150 lpcd in a project to meet CPHEEO norms and secure central funding, even though the core standard was 240 lpcd.
Q4. How does the lack of monitoring affect water delivery?
A: Most cities don’t meter water usage or monitor flow at household levels, making it hard to assess if people are receiving adequate water.
Q5. What is the recommended way forward?
A: Develop scientific, evidence-based water standards, ensure equitable distribution, and introduce monitoring mechanisms to track real delivery.
