Jharkhand State Water Policy, 2011.

The Jharkhand State Water Policy’s vision is to ensure sustainable development and optimal use and management of the state’s water resources to provide economic and social benefit for the people while maintaining ecological values. The Policy adopts an integrated and multi-sectoral approach with decentralized management to the lowest practicable level.
The Policy envisages providing irrigation facility to each cultivable plot, optimal utilization of existing irrigation potential, farmers’ management for irrigation systems and water users participation for planning, development and management of water resources. In terms of domestic water use, the Policy lays down that drinking water needs of human beings and animals shall be the first priority and also provides for community management. Other features of the policy include maintaining water quality; creation of Hydrological Information System; participation of the private sector; water audit; conservation of water; flood and drought management.
The water usage priorities after domestic use listed in the Policy are Irrigation, Hydel Power Development, Agro-based Industries, Industrial Development and other useful purposes. The Policy proposes a transparent system of water tariff, sustainable management of groundwater, water zoning, research, development and promotion of State-of-Art Technology in Water Sector. Cost-effectiveness of state water services and modernization of infrastructure facilities are also contemplated in the Policy.