Jal Rakshak

Jal Rakshak · Protector of Water

Clean Water Is Not a Luxury. It’s a Necessity.

Discover what makes water safe to drink, understand the threats to water quality, and learn how the right purification practices can help protect lives.

Explore Water SafetyDiscover Purification Methods

Every Drop Deserves to Be Safe.

Impact

The global picture

Figures from the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP), reporting year 2024, published August 2025. “Safely managed” means water on premises, available when needed and free from contamination.

2.1 billion

people still lack safely managed drinking water (about 1 in 4).

WHO/UNICEF JMP, 2024 data
106 million

people still drink directly from untreated surface water sources.

WHO/UNICEF JMP, 2024 data
3.4 billion

people still lack safely managed sanitation services.

WHO/UNICEF JMP, 2024 data
74%

global coverage of safely managed drinking water in 2024, up from 68% in 2015.

WHO/UNICEF JMP, 2024 data

Source: JMP 2025 report. India-specific figures change quickly; see Jal Jeevan Mission for its current dashboard.

Water Safety

Clear water is not always safe water

Many harmful microorganisms and dissolved chemicals are invisible. Appearance, colour, taste and smell alone cannot tell you whether water is safe to drink. Only appropriate testing, and treatment matched to the actual problem, can.

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Understand Water Contamination

Biological, chemical, physical and environmental threats.

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Explore Purification Technologies

What each method can and cannot do.

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Learn Safe Water Practices

Storage, handling and household habits.

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Understand Water Quality Testing

pH, turbidity, TDS, hardness and more.

Contamination

What can be in water

Not every source contains every contaminant. Risk depends on the source, location, season and surroundings, which is why different problems need different treatments.

Why one fix does not fit all. Boiling can inactivate many disease-causing microorganisms but does not remove most dissolved chemicals (boiling can even concentrate some as water evaporates). Ordinary filters may not remove viruses or dissolved chemicals. Matching treatment to the actual contaminant is the key idea.

Purification methods

Explore the technologies

Filtration removes things; disinfection inactivates microorganisms. They are different jobs. No single method removes every contaminant, and performance depends on design, certification and maintenance.

Compare at a glance

Typical capabilities only. ✔ = generally effective · ◐ = depends on design/type · ✘ = generally not.

RO is not the universal answer. Reverse osmosis can help where dissolved contaminants are a verified concern, but it wastes water, needs upkeep, and is unnecessary for many households. Test first, then choose.

Water Quality Explorer

Understand Your Water

Choose an indicator, optionally enter an example value, and read what it means. This is an educational tool, not a safety verdict.

Disclaimer: This tool provides educational information only and cannot tell you whether water is safe. Low TDS does not guarantee microbiological safety, and clear water can carry pathogens. For official limits, see the current edition of BIS IS 10500 (Drinking Water Specification) at bis.gov.in; this site does not reproduce thresholds. Use an accredited laboratory when contamination is suspected.

Safe drinking water guide

Practical habits for Indian households

Households use municipal supply, borewells, wells, tankers and other sources. Needs differ, so start by knowing your source.

⚠ If contamination is suspected
Follow guidance from your local public-health authority or water utility, use an appropriate alternative safe water source if advised, and seek a water test. If someone is unwell (severe diarrhoea, vomiting, dehydration), seek medical care promptly.

Waterborne disease awareness

Prevention through safe water, sanitation and hygiene

Contaminated water can contribute to infections such as cholera, typhoid, hepatitis A and giardiasis. Prevention depends on safe water, sanitation, handwashing and appropriate treatment together; purification alone cannot prevent every illness. This site does not diagnose.

Cholera

Bacterial; spreads through faecally contaminated water or food.

Typhoid

Bacterial; spread by contaminated food and water.

Hepatitis A

Viral liver infection; spreads via contaminated water, food or poor hygiene.

Giardiasis

Caused by a protozoan parasite found in contaminated water.

Learn more: WHO drinking-water topic · WHO cholera fact sheet

Conservation

Small Actions, Cleaner Water

Protecting sources keeps safe water possible. Tick what you already do.

Learning hub

Myths vs facts

Glossary

Quiz

Test your water-safety knowledge

About

About Jal Rakshak

Jal Rakshak aims to make reliable water-safety knowledge accessible to everyone by explaining contamination, purification technologies, and responsible water practices through clear, science-based education.

Vision

Communities that understand their water and protect it.

Objectives

Explain contamination, compare treatments honestly, promote safe storage, and encourage testing.

Audience

Students, families, educators and communities, rural and urban.

Reliable information

Claims are tied to WHO, UNICEF, BIS and Indian government sources. Uncertain claims are omitted.

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Sources & References

    Verified for this page: JMP 2025 figures (WHO release, 26 Aug 2025). General explanations reflect standard public-health guidance; confirm specifics with the linked authorities.

    Be the Reason Someone Drinks Safer Water.

    Understand your water. Protect your health. Secure your future.

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