Water supply and sanitation in Uttar Pradesh, India has seen recent advancements in ensuring comprehensive access and quality. The northern state has a historical record of falling below the national average on critical metrics, leading to sanitation and water access becoming a political focal point, particularly in regions like Bundelkhand. Issues such as unequal resource distribution and water contamination present ongoing challenges.

Government-led initiatives, often in partnership with private sector entities and grassroots organizations, have been created to address the issues of access to safe water and sanitation facilities.

Access According to the National Family Health Survey 2 (NFHS2) conducted in Uttar Pradesh in 2000, only 85.6% of the population had access to an improved water source. A further 26.7% of respondents had access to a latrine.

Following significant progress, subsequent surveys conducted from 2019 to 2021 indicate that access to improved water sources has increased substantially to 99.2%. Access to latrines has also shown a significant improvement, now reaching 68.7% of the population.National Family Health Survey 5 2019-21 Uttar Pradesh https://dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/FR374/FR374_UTTARPRADESH.pdf

Despite significant progress in improving access to sanitation facilities, Uttar Pradesh still grapples with Open defecation, particularly in rural areas, where approximately 29% of the population continues to defecate in the open. Challenges such as widespread Water scarcity further complicate efforts to provide adequate sanitation and promote hygiene practices.Uttar Pradesh State Water Policy, 2020

https://upgwd.gov.in/MediaGallery/SWPUP2020DraftFeb20.pdf

As of 2019, the Centre for Science and Environment reported that, in some cities of Uttar Pradesh, approximately 80% of containment systems are frequently not connected to functional soak pits.Urban Wastewater scenario in India |NITI Aayog| pp19

https://www.niti.gov.in/sites/default/files/2022-09/Waste-Water-A4_20092022.pdf

See also

Water supply and sanitation in India Water resources in India

References