Access to water distinguishes the poor from rich. If the water supply
systems are not managed properly, it is the poor who suffer the most. It is the poor who
most fetch water from long distances from traditional sources. Higher level of water
supply with adequate reliability and equitable distribution is therefore socially
desirable. But, it is also realized that water needs to be treated as a commodity for
proper management of water supply systems.
The government of Karnataka is committed to provide safe water to all habitations in rural
areas of Karnataka. The Jal Nirmal Project will follow a demand responsive participatory
approach and will strengthen the decentralization process by empowering the lowest level
Panchayat Raj Institutions (PRI's). The community will assume control of the planning,
implementation and operation & maintenance of the water supply and sanitation
facilities. The Pries in Karnataka provide a politically, legally and institutionally
supportive environment to facilitate the implementation of reform process. Emphasis on
devolution of responsibilities to grass root level under the ' Jal Nirmal ' project shall
result in a sustainable community based water supply systems".