Hans News Service Amaravati

WhileIndia has made significant investments in drinking water infrastructure, ensuring that safe water systems continue to function effectively requires more than infrastructure alone. Strong local ownership, coordination among departments and frontline workers, and effective accountability mechanisms are essential for translating policy into sustainable access to safe drinking water. In Andhra Pradesh, the mandal or block level is increasingly emerging as a crucial link between district administrations and Gram Panchayats. It is at this level that policies are translated into action, implementation challenges are identified, and locally relevant solutions can be developed.

Through the India Safe Water Programme, Evidence Action (EAII Advisors), in partnership with the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (RWS&S) Department and the Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Department, has been facilitating mandal-level workshops across 10 districts including Krishna, NTR, Kadapa, Annamayya, Vizianagram, Bapatla, Parvathipuram, Eluru Palnadu and Bapatla of Andhra Pradesh.

Unlike conventional training programmes, these workshops bring together government officials, water supply engineers, Panchayat representatives, ASHAs, Anganwadi Workers, ANMs and other frontline personnel. The objective is to collectively identify challenges affecting safe drinking water delivery and develop practical solutions suited to local conditions. The initiative highlights the importance of integrating water quality monitoring into regular mandal and Gram Panchayat review meetings rather than creating parallel systems. It also focuses on strengthening accountability for the operation and maintenance of In-Line Chlorination (ILC) devices, which play an important role in ensuring the safety of drinking water.

Frontline health and community workers, including ASHAs, Anganwadi Workers and ANMs, along with Panchayat representatives, have an equally important role in addressing misconceptions surrounding chlorinated water and building public confidence in safe water systems. “These mandal-level workshops reflect the Andhra Pradesh government’s commitment to strengthening water quality governance right down to the last mile. By bringing together engineers, health workers and Panchayat representatives on one platform, the government is ensuring that operational challenges are resolved quickly,” said Manoj Kumar M, AP Programme Lead, India Safe Water, EAII Advisors.