SHILLONG, April 28 - Over 82 per cent of the rural households in Meghalaya are partially covered in terms of supply of potable drinking water, as per an official document.
There are 10,475 rural households in the State as in January 2017 and 8,657 have partial access to potable drinking water. Thus, only 18 per cent of the rural households are fully covered and get 40 litres of water per capita per day (LPCD.)
According to official documents, out of the total rural habitations, in 2,650 habitations, 75 per cent of the population gets less than 40 LPCD. In 2,891 habitations, just 50 per cent gets 40 LPCD.
In another 1,814 habitations, the coverage is more than 50 per cent but less than 75 per cent, and in 1,302 habitations, the coverage is more than 75 per cent but less than 100 per cent.
The State Government is now trying to formulate new guidelines and focusing on providing piped water to at least 90 per cent of the households by 2022. It is also trying to provide direct water supply to 80 per cent of the households.
The Government is also working towards providing potable water as close as 50 metres from the households. It also wishes to ensure at least 50 LPCD to the villagers and by 2022, 70 LPCD to each villager.
