Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh is strengthening its rural drinking water quality monitoring system with the development of a new state-of-the-art laboratory equipped with advanced testing facilities, including planned capabilities to detect emerging contaminants such as microplastics and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
The Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam (Rural) is developing the new State Laboratory to create a modern referral facility capable of addressing present and future challenges in drinking water quality. Officials said efforts are underway to complete the laboratory building and equip it with world-class analytical infrastructure.
The proposed facility is expected to play an important role in generating baseline data, identifying potential sources of contamination and strengthening scientific surveillance of drinking water across the state.
Centre Emphasises Testing for Emerging Contaminants
During a recent visit to Uttar Pradesh, the Secretary of the Union Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation inspected the existing State Laboratory of Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam (Rural). Discussions during the inspection covered existing testing infrastructure, advanced equipment and the future expansion of laboratory capabilities.
The need to develop testing facilities for emerging contaminants, particularly microplastics and PFAS, at the state laboratory level was also highlighted.
Extensive Laboratory Network Across Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh already has a multi-tier laboratory network for monitoring drinking water quality in rural areas. The system includes one state-level laboratory, three regional laboratories, 72 district-level laboratories and 62 laboratories at water treatment plants.
The state-level laboratory has advanced testing facilities, with 50 parameters covered under NABL accreditation. The network supports regular drinking water quality monitoring under the Jal Jeevan Mission and enables detailed laboratory testing whenever required.
Microplastics and PFAS Require Different Testing Methods
Officials stressed that microplastics and PFAS belong to two distinct categories of contaminants and require separate sampling and analytical techniques.
Microplastics generally refer to plastic particles smaller than 5 mm, while PFAS are a broad group of synthetic fluorinated chemicals known for their persistence in the environment. Because of their long-lasting nature, many PFAS compounds are commonly referred to as “forever chemicals.”
Testing for microplastics requires contamination-free sampling and careful handling to ensure that plastic particles from containers, clothing, laboratory equipment or the surrounding environment do not enter the sample.
Following filtration and sample preparation, microscopic examination can help assess the number, size, shape and colour of suspected particles. Techniques such as FTIR or Raman microscopy can subsequently be used to confirm the polymer composition.
Monitoring Based on BIS Standards and Jal Jeevan Mission Protocols
Rural drinking water quality monitoring under the Jal Jeevan Mission is carried out in accordance with prescribed national protocols and applicable Bureau of Indian Standards norms.
Laboratory testing is complemented by field-level monitoring. Trained women and water quality monitoring groups use Field Test Kits for preliminary testing at the village level. Samples are subsequently sent to laboratories for detailed analysis wherever required under the prescribed testing schedule.
Preparing for Future Water Quality Challenges
The new State Laboratory is being developed as an advanced state-level referral facility that can strengthen Uttar Pradesh’s capacity to respond to emerging water quality threats.
The proposed capability to test microplastics and PFAS could help the state establish baseline information, identify potential contamination sources and develop a stronger scientific monitoring framework. It would also help align testing infrastructure with evolving national standards and guidelines for emerging contaminants.
Yogesh Kumar, Managing Director of Uttar Pradesh Jal Nigam (Rural), said construction of the new State Laboratory building was being expedited and efforts were underway to equip it with world-class testing facilities.
He said the enhanced laboratory would not only strengthen the Jal Nigam’s own testing capabilities but could also provide high-level water quality testing support to other government departments and institutions, wherever required.
The initiative is expected to strengthen Uttar Pradesh’s preparedness for emerging drinking water quality challenges while providing a more robust scientific foundation for rural water safety monitoring.
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