Only about half of the population received safe managed drinking water services last year. This is according to the Water and Sanitation Information System analysis report published last month. Safely managed water service is a drinking water from an improved water source, free from faecal and chemical contamination that poses a risk to human health.
According to the report, half the population receiving safely managed water services is a slight decline from the 63 per cent recorded in 2023.
The report indicates that rural areas have greater access to safely managed water services than urban areas. Specifically, only about 40 per cent of urban areas receive safely managed water services, while over 60 per cent (61.2%) of rural areas benefit from these services.
These differences, according to the report, are due to inadequate treatment facilities, ageing infrastructure, and intermittent water supply systems.
In the country, nearly 90 per cent of households have access to basic drinking water services. Basic water service refers to water obtained from an improved source, available for 16 to 24 hours per day. However, the safety of this water has not been fully verified.
Meanwhile, about 12 per cent depend on limited services, which include water services with a supply duration of less than 16 hours per day and unverified water quality. This is mainly due to irregular supply or the need to collect water from a distance.
Considering this, the report recommends prioritising expansion of safely managed water services in urban areas, accelerating Water Safety Plan implementation, and strengthening water caretakers, among others.
The report recorded more than 4,500 water supply schemes which serve some 111,000 households. However, 875 households remain unserved by these schemes.
While progress has been made in expanding access to drinking water, report reflects that improving water quality, treatment systems, and supply reliability will remain crucial in ensuring safe water for everyone.
Singye Dema
