Shillong: A total of 785 critical water sources have been identified across Meghalaya to date, and assessments for their rejuvenation and necessary interventions are under way, public health engineering (PHE) minister Marcuise N Marak told the assembly on Tuesday.He said the state had several water-testing laboratories, where water quality was tested every year before and after the monsoon.The minister said 3,336 water samples were tested in Ri-Bhoi district during 2025–26 and none was found to be contaminated.Responding to queries from Nongpoh legislator Mayral Born Syiem of the United Democratic Party, a member of the ruling coalition, Marak said obstruction by the Joint Action Committee, Wah Umkhrah, and a forest-related objection at Umsaw Range Forest were the main reasons for delays in the construction of the Nongpoh Combined Water Supply Scheme under the Jal Jeevan Mission.Marak said 75% of the physical work on the project had been completed and set Dec 2026 as the completion target.“To address and restore critical water sources pertaining to PHE Nongpoh Division, and keeping in view the increasing water scarcity, various springshed rejuvenation, catchment protection and water conservation measures are being implemented,” the minister said.The initiatives include Miyawaki afforestation, the construction of check dams and contour trenches, and other soil and water conservation measures. These are aimed at improving groundwater recharge and strengthening the sustainability of water resources, he said.Community awareness programmes and catchment plantation activities are also being carried out to ensure the long-term sustainability and protection of critical water sources, Marak said.The minister also said Centre had allocated ₹336.62 crore to Meghalaya under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 for 2026–27. He clarified, however, that the amount was a sanction and not a release, and that its disbursement would depend on compliance with scheme norms and completion of the projects.“This allocation is significant and much more than that of similarly placed northeastern or hilly states,” he told the assembly.
