Arsenic and iron in water: 30,000 rural habitations affected, 20,000 in two states

Iron is the most common contaminant of drinking water, with over 18,000 rural habitations affected, followed by salinity that affects roughly 13,000 rural habitations, arsenic (12,000), fluoride (nearly 8,000) and heavy metal.

Rajasthan has the highest number of rural habitations affected by contamination overall, at 16,833.

Among rural habitations in Indian states, 55,511 face quality issues with drinking water. As of November 27 this year, 3.22 per cent of rural habitations across all states and UTs, accounting for 3.73 per cent of the population, were consuming drinking water with quality issues, according to data tabled by the Ministry of Jal Shakti in Parliament.