Union Consumer Affairs  Minister Ram Vilas Paswan on Monday said that the State Governments are in agreement for making the BIS standards ‘mandatory’ for piped drinking water to ensure safe and quality water to people.  At present, Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) standards on piped drinking water are voluntary in nature. The Centre is considering making it mandatory and the nodal consumer affairs Ministry has written to the Jal Shakti Ministry in this regard.

The proposal comes amid tests conducted by the BIS on drinking water, which found water quality in Mumbai as per standard but poor in many State capitals, including Delhi.

 "We discussed in detail with State Governments. They said they follow the BIS standards and even Delhi Jal Board (DJB) said it follows BIS standards. After the discussion, there was a view to make the BIS standards mandatory. DJB said they don’t have any issue on this," Paswan said.

 Barring four States -Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana and Gujarat,  Paswan said there was representation from most State Governments and union territories in the workshop.

 "Everyone’s view was that BIS standards on piped drinking water was good and everyone should follow it," he said, adding that authorities in every State should take samples and test them if they adhere to BIS standards or not. He also mentioned that Maharashtra follows the BIS standards and others too should be able to do so.

 "We don’t have personal interest. Our intention is to  ensure quality piped drinking water to the poor," Paswan said. Under the BIS Act, there is a provision that standards formulated for any products can be made mandatory