NT Reporter
Panaji
Goa has recorded a gradual increase in water quality testing under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) over the past four years, though the numbers remain modest compared to larger states, according to data tabled in the Rajya Sabha during the Budget session of the Parliament.
The state tested 8,571 water samples in 2021-22, which rose to 8,881 in 2022-23 and further to 10,336 in 2023-24. The figure peaked at 13,660 samples in 2024-25, indicating a steady strengthening of monitoring efforts.
In the financial year 2025-26, Goa has tested 7,469 samples as of March 24. The data is for a partial year, and the final tally is expected to be higher.
The central government data has further suggested that despite the improvement, Goa’s testing numbers remain relatively low when compared to bigger states such as Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh, which each test several lakh samples annually.
The lower figures are attributed to Goa’s smaller population and geographical size.
The data has also indicated that while Goa has made consistent progress in expanding its water quality surveillance, there is scope to further enhance testing coverage, especially in rural and coastal areas where contamination risks can vary.
At the national level, water quality testing has seen a sharp rise, increasing from 41.72 lakh samples in 2021-22 to 82.68 lakh in 2024-25. For 2025-26, over 69 lakh samples have already been tested across the country.
In Goa, the upward trend until last year reflects improved infrastructure and awareness, but maintaining consistency and widening the testing net will be key for safeguarding public health.
It is pertinent to note that the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) aims to ensure safe drinking water by establishing a robust quality monitoring system, including over 2,870 accredited laboratory tests and community-led surveillance using field testing kits (FTKs). The kits target contaminants like arsenic, fluoride, and bacteriological issues.
