Viksit Odisha / Odisha Launches ‘Sujala’ Campaign to Promote Water Conservation, Safe Drinking Water

Bhubaneswar, Oct 2: The Odisha government on Friday launched the statewide ‘Sujala’ campaign to promote water conservation, safe drinking water practices and public awareness on sustainable water management, with Housing and Urban Development (H&UD) Minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra urging citizens to make responsible water use a part of their daily lives.

The campaign, inaugurated in Bhubaneswar and organised by the Water Corporation of Odisha (WATCO) under the H&UD Department, will run from October 2 to 16 across the State.

According to the department, the initiative seeks to create widespread awareness on water conservation, the importance of safe drinking water and the prevention of water-borne diseases. It also aims to encourage collective responsibility towards protecting water resources and ensuring their availability for future generations.

Promoting sustainable practices

Carrying the theme, “Water Conservation: A Necessity Today, the Destiny of Future Generations,” the campaign will encourage citizens to adopt simple yet effective measures to reduce water wastage and improve water management at the household and community levels.

Public outreach programmes will focus on preventing unnecessary water loss by turning off unused taps, repairing leakages promptly and keeping rivers, ponds, tube wells and other water sources free from pollution and waste.

The campaign will also advocate rainwater harvesting, water reuse, regular cleaning of household water tanks and hygienic handling of drinking water.

Focus on public health

Officials said the initiative would highlight the close link between safe drinking water and public health. Awareness programmes will educate people about water-borne diseases, safe water storage, sanitation practices and the importance of maintaining pollution-free water sources.

The campaign seeks to promote healthier and cleaner urban environments through active public participation and behavioural change.

Citizen participation key

The campaign's slogan, “Water Supply Is Our Responsibility; Water Conservation Is Your Duty,” underscores the shared responsibility of government agencies and citizens in achieving sustainable water management.

To improve citizen engagement and facilitate grievance redressal, residents have been encouraged to contact the department's toll-free helplines 155359 and 1800-1216-833 for water-supply-related assistance.

The government has appealed to people across Odisha to actively participate in the campaign and convert awareness into everyday action.