Systematic Review of Water Supply and Management in Rural India

Abstract Rural areas are not as water-secure as urban areas majorly because of reliance on monsoon-dependent sources and poor water infrastructure hampering consistent water supply. This review analyzes studies focusing on key elements of water supply such as accessibility, availability, socioeconomic factors, community and stakeholder engagement, gender dynamics and policy governance in rural areas across Indian states. Results highlight the influence of socio-economic factors in determining the accessibility and availability of water resources and also the poor impact of water inadequacy on the health and sanitation status of women. Vulnerable groups consisting of low-income, low levels of literacy, schedule caste, and schedule tribes experience disparity in water availability and accessibility. Community and stakeholder engagement and water infrastructure play a crucial role in water resource management and availability. The study also explores the knowledge gap in reviewed literature and approaches adopted for addressing water issues. Further study recommends efficient ways to ensure effective management and adequate availability of water