Ensuring that a source of water is safe for drinking, irrigation, and other uses is a complex problem. It is also a local problem. Location matters. Water quality problems need to be reported in time so that corrective action can be taken.
The Water Safety Advisory Tool by JalXchange is being designed as part of a broader Water Data Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). The idea is to connect water quality data, intelligence layers, and user-facing applications so that water safety decisions can be made more effectively.
The Problem Statement
The core problem is to ensure that a source of water is safe for a specific purpose such as drinking or irrigation. At the same time, the larger water resource must also be protected from contamination.
To do this, user location is taken as an input for identifying water safety. Water quality problems also need to be reported so that corrective action can follow.
The framework begins with a rural setting, but it can also be extended to urban areas.
There seem to be 200 different Water Data sources in India.
Around 10 major Water Data portals exist. But, the core question is the User Metrics:
Who are the users accessing these data portals, and how many?
Two user settings
Use case 1: Safe drinking water within a village
This use case sits within a national programme such as Jal Jeevan Mission, where the goal is to supply safe drinking water to every rural household.
Use case 2: Managing water resources safely in a village
This use case applies to farmers and water user groups working on rural water conservation. The focus here is on safe water in a watershed or aquifer for drinking, irrigation, and other needs.
Data sources for water safety
The tool brings together a wide range of water quality data sources. These include:
- Historical drinking water quality data available from 2010 to 2015 on data.gov.in
- Central Groundwater Board data, including NAQUIM data and some historical data
- Citizen data sources such as SamaajData, People’s Water Data, JalXChange and others
- Laboratory based water quality measurements done by rural drinking water programmes such as JJM
- Field based water quality measurements collected by field personnel in villages using Field Test Kits
- Other laboratory based water quality measurements in NABL certified or other laboratories commissioned by NGOs, Panchayats, CSR groups or citizen groups
The intention is to combine these sources so that users can see local water safety more clearly and act on it.
Intelligence layers and user interfaces
The design includes several intelligence layers and user interfaces.
Intelligence layers being designed by INREM with support from IBM
- A data extraction tool from NAQUIM reports
- A historical, NAQUIM and citizen data fusion tool
Another proposal made by INREM to CoRE Stack
- A water quality data use case informing water recharge in a watershed
User facing interfaces
- An AI enabled WhatsApp bot as part of the JalXChange suite, with user-facing advisories based on water quality data
- SamaajData’s AI enabled platform for citizen access to data
- People’s Water Data’s geospatial interface for water quality data access
The design suggests that different users may need different ways to access the same information. Some may prefer voice or chat based interfaces. Others may use maps or app based systems.
Water Data DPI and water safety use cases
The Water Safety Advisory Tool by JalXchange sits within an open network of a Water Data DPI.
The Water Data Exchange, or WDE, is described as an open network being designed with the Beckn protocol. It will enable water data to interact with intelligence layers and then move towards user facing applications.
The JJM Water Data DPI is being envisaged by Arghyam to enhance standardized data exchange across the Jal Jeevan Mission programme nationally and across states.
This broader architecture makes it possible to develop additional use cases over time. More data sources, intelligence systems, and user apps can be added to serve more user needs.
Why this matters
The Water Safety Advisory Tool by JalXchange is not just a digital layer. It is part of a larger attempt to build a practical and open system for water safety.
It links:
- Local water quality data
- Community generated information
- Laboratory and field measurements
- Intelligence layers
- User facing tools
The purpose is to help people make better decisions about safe water use, water protection, and corrective action.
The tool is being designed for real users and real contexts. It begins with rural water safety but can extend to broader water resource management. It treats water quality as both a local and system level issue.
By connecting data sources, intelligence layers, and user interfaces, the Water Safety Advisory Tool by JalXchange aims to make water safety more accessible, more actionable, and more responsive to local needs.
