Comparative Analysis of Water Quality and Attributable Risk in Villages Receiving Piped and Non-piped Water Supply in Western India

Abstract

Sustainable provision of safe drinking water is necessary for rural development. In India, about 62% of villages receive a piped water supply, and the rest rely on unimproved, non-piped alternatives. The reliance on a non-piped water supply is mainly due to limited accessibility and affordability. The potability of the water received through non-piped alternatives cannot be guaranteed. Thus, it is important to quantify the health risks associated with a non-piped water supply. This study aimed to compare the performance of rural water supply in the villages receiving piped and non-piped water supply modes to understand challenges in rural water supply. Accordingly, critical sanitation factors and water quality data were collected and analyzed. The study results show that microbiological contamination is present in both types of supply modes because of multiple contributing factors. It was evidenced that villages with poorly maintained supply systems or operationally flawed systems had to rely on non-piped means of water supply despite having a piped water supply network. The study also highlights the need for an integrated approach to improve water supplies in rural areas, including environmental, socio-economic, and ethical perspectives.