National Policy for Safe Water Supply & Sanitation 1998.

The National Policy for Safe Water Supply & Sanitation 1998 aims at regulating National safe water and sanitation, as essential issues for the development of public health. The Government's goal is to ensure that all people have access to safe water and sanitation services at an affordable cost. To achieve this goal and to ensure that development in the water supply and sanitation sector is equitable and sustainable, formulation of National Policy for Safe Water Supply and Sanitation is essential (withdrawal or abstraction of either ground or surface water as well as harvesting of rain-water; its subsequent treatment, storage, transmission and distribution for domestic use). The Government started its initial intervention in the water supply and sanitation sector with the objective of gradually building an effective service delivery mechanism around 1934. The government is encouraging and supporting the involvement of other partners, such as non-governmental organizations (NGOs) market oriented business organizations and similar private organizations in water and sanitation development. This combined promotional campaign for better health and hygiene has increased the demand for tube-wells and sanitary latrines (pags. 1 and 2).
The objectives of this National Policy are to improve the standard of public health and to ensure improved environment. For achieving these objectives, steps will be taken for: a) facilitating access of all citizens to basic level of services in water supply and sanitation; b) bringing about behavioural changes regarding use of water and sanitation; c) reducing incidence of water borne diseases; d) building capacity in local governments and communities to be effectively with problems relating to water supply and sanitation; e) promoting sustainable water and sanitation services; f) ensuring proper storage, management and use of surface water and preventing its contamination; g) taking necessary measures for storage and use of rainwater; h)ensuring storm-water drainage in urban areas (pag. 4).
Within the overall objectives the following targeted for achievement in phases in the near future: Increasing the present coverage of safe drinking water in rural areas by lowering the average number of users per tube-well from the present 105 to 50 in the near future. Ensuring the installation of one sanitary latrine in each household in the rural areas and improving public health standard through inculcating the habit of proper use of sanitary latrines. Making safe drinking water available to each household in the urban areas. Ensuring sanitary latrine within easy access of every urban household through technology options ranging from pit latrines to water borne sewerage. Installing public latrines in schools, bus stations and important public places and community latrines in densely populated poor communities without sufficient space for individual household latrines. Ensuring supply of quality water through observance of accepted quality standards. Removal of arsenic from drinking water and supply of arsenic free water from alternate sources in arsenic affected areas. Taking measures in urban areas for removal of solid and liquid waste and their use in various purposes. Ensuring the use of waste for the production of organic fertilizer (compost) in the rural areas (pags. 4 and 5).
It is desirable that all development activities related to water supply and sanitation are considered within broader environmental considerations. Emergency responses - All government and non-government bodies should be prepared to take necessary measures for immediate response before and after natural disaster. Involvement of all other stakeholders is also necessary. During natural disaster, necessary measures shall be taken on an emergency basis so that people have access to safe water and do not have to drink contaminated water. Necessary measures shall also be taken to prevent contamination and damage of tube wells during natural disaster (pags. 8 and 9).