International WASH Conference 2024 Highlights Innovative Solutions and Community Engagement in Rural Water Supply

The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, organized the International WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) Conference alongside the 8th India Water Week in New Delhi from 17-19 September 2024. With the theme 'Sustaining Rural Water Supply,' the three-day event served as a global platform for exchanging knowledge, presenting innovations, and sharing best practices aimed at addressing WASH challenges. The conference focused on achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), which advocates for clean water and sanitation for all.

The event featured distinguished guests including Vini Mahajan, Secretary of DDWS, Ashok K. K. Meena, Officer on Special Duty (OSD), DDWS, and Chandra Bhushan Kumar, Additional Secretary & Mission Director of the National Jal Jeevan Mission (NJJM), along with other key officials, state representatives, and global experts.

Diverse Sessions and Discussions on Key WASH Topics

The conference hosted over 40 sessions, both online and offline, with 143 offline paper presentations and 43 online presentations. These sessions delved into a wide range of critical topics, including water quality, greywater management, and community engagement. Discussions also focused on Information, Education, and Behaviour Change Communication (IEC/BCC) initiatives, climate change adaptation, and the impact of water-related innovations.

Day 1 Highlights 

The first day of the conference opened with sessions on water disinfection technologies and the importance of community involvement in ensuring sustainable water supply systems. The National Safe Water Dialogue highlighted the success of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) and explored lessons learned from implementing water disinfection technologies at scale. The dialogue also covered community engagement and the mission’s impact assessment.

Day 2: Embracing Technology for Water Management

Day two of the event emphasized the role of digital public infrastructure in transforming water management systems. Sessions highlighted the use of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems and the Internet of Things (IoT) to improve water quality monitoring and service delivery. Ashok K. K. Meena, OSD-DDWS, delivered a keynote address on how technology is enhancing water management. Simultaneous sessions were held in Kolkata, focusing on digital innovations and their applications in efficient water management.

Day 3: Universal Access to Drinking Water and Community Engagement

The third day began with a panel discussion on achieving universal access to rural drinking water. D. Thara, Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, chaired the session, with co-chair Dr. Chandra Bhushan Kumar, AS&MD-NJJM. The panel explored the challenges and opportunities in rural water management, emphasizing collaboration between rural and urban water governance. Discussions also highlighted the importance of community participation in ensuring the long-term sustainability of water supply systems.

Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) and Climate Change Adaptation

A dedicated session on Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) within the JJM framework underscored the need for structured public outreach to build trust in tap water as a reliable source of drinking water. Additionally, discussions centered on integrating climate change adaptation and disaster management strategies, with participants sharing innovative solutions to safeguard communities and enhance resilience in water systems globally.

Exhibition and Model Village Showcase

The conference featured a standout exhibition showcasing the 'Swachh Sujal Gaon' model village, reflecting India's holistic approach to strengthening the WASH sector in rural areas. States and Union Territories displayed their best practices and innovations in water and sanitation, offering insights into sustainable water management techniques across the country.

The International WASH Conference 2024 concluded with several actionable insights aimed at advancing water management globally. The event reaffirmed India's leadership in rural water management through initiatives like the Jal Jeevan Mission and Swachh Bharat Mission. It also highlighted the significance of global partnerships, technology-driven solutions, and community-led efforts in addressing future water challenges. The integration of innovations such as IoT and SCADA in water management was emphasized as key to ensuring sustainable access to clean water.