Puri has become the first city in India where tap water is officially safe to drink directly from the household supply, meeting all quality norms set by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
Under Odisha’s progressive “Drink From Tap” mission part of the larger Sujal water initiative the city now provides 24×7 potable water that conforms to IS 10500 drinking water standards at every household connection. This achievement means residents and visitors alike can consume tap water without the need for boiling, filtration, or treatment at home.
Officials say advanced treatment processes including multi-stage purification and real-time quality monitoring ensure that water supplied through the municipal network is free from harmful contaminants, bacteria, and disinfection by-products. The system’s smart sensors and continuous testing help maintain compliance with strict safety benchmarks.
More than 25,000 households in Puri now benefit from potable tap water, significantly reducing the risk of waterborne diseases and transforming basic living standards in a city that welcomes millions of tourists each year. The success of Puri’s water initiative sets a new benchmark for public health infrastructure in India, offering a model that could be replicated in other cities aiming to provide safe, affordable, and reliable drinking water directly from the tap.
