“Uttar Pradesh’s latest initiative equips schools with advanced water filters to ensure safe drinking water for students, tackling contamination and promoting health. The program, part of the Jal Jeevan Mission, aims to reduce waterborne diseases and improve attendance, especially in rural areas, with a focus on sustainability and community involvement.”
Uttar Pradesh Enhances School Water Safety with New Filters
Statewide Initiative Launched
The Uttar Pradesh government has rolled out a comprehensive program to install advanced water filtration systems in schools across the state, aligning with the Jal Jeevan Mission’s goal of providing safe drinking water to all by 2024. This initiative targets both urban and rural schools, prioritizing areas with high levels of water contamination, such as fluoride, arsenic, and bacterial pollutants. Over 10,000 schools are expected to benefit in the initial phase, with plans to cover all educational institutions by 2026.
Focus on Student Health
Contaminated water has long been a challenge in UP, contributing to waterborne diseases like diarrhea, which affects millions of children annually. According to UNICEF, 37.7 million Indians are impacted by waterborne illnesses yearly, with children being particularly vulnerable due to their developing immune systems. The new filters, including bio-sand and nano-filtration technologies, are designed to remove up to 98% of bacteria, 100% of viruses, and significant levels of chemical contaminants, ensuring safer drinking water.
Rural Schools Prioritized
Rural areas, where access to clean water is limited, are a key focus. Many schools rely on groundwater sources contaminated with fluoride, leading to health issues like fluorosis. The government has partnered with NGOs like WaterAid India to deploy pond sand filters and water testing toolkits in districts like Baran and Kota. These efforts aim to reduce absenteeism caused by water-related illnesses, which UNICEF estimates causes 443 million lost school days globally each year.
Sustainable and Cost-Effective Solutions