Ministry of statistics and program implementation, Government of India has launched NSSO 65th round report on "Housing condition and amenities in India" .The field work of the nationwide survey was carried out during July 2008 to June 2009. The report is based on the Central sample of 1,53,518 households (97,144 in rural areas and 56,374 in urban areas) surveyed from 8,130 sample villages in rural areas and 4,735 urban blocks spread over all States and Union Territories except:

• In rural areas the major source of drinking water (most often used) was ‘tube well/handc pump’ in respect of 55 per cent of households followed by ‘tap’ for 30 per cent of households.
• In urban areas, ‘tap’ was the major source of drinking water for 74 per cent of the households and ‘tube well/hand pump’ served another 18 per cent households.
• The three sources of drinking water, ‘tap’, ‘tube well/hand pump’ and ‘well’ together served nearly 97 per cent of rural households and 95 per cent of urban households.
• Nearly 86 per cent of the rural households and 91 per cent of urban households got sufficient drinking water throughout the year from the first major source.
• Shortage of drinking water set in the month of March and gradually reached a peak during May; thereafter, the situation of availability of drinking water gradually improved and by August the situation improved substantially.
• During the month of May drinking water for 13 per cent of the rural households and 8 per cent of the urban households was insufficient.
• Drinking water facility within the premises was available to nearly 41 per cent of rural households and 75 per cent of urban households.

2. Bathroom Facility

• Bathroom facility was not available to nearly 64 per cent of rural households, while in urban areas, the proportion of households with no bathroom was lower, nearly 22 percent.
• In the rural areas, detached bathrooms were more common (23 per cent of the households) than were attached bathrooms (13 per cent of the households).
• In urban areas, a higher proportion of households (48 per cent) had attached bathroom than detached bathroom (nearly 31 per cent).

3. Sanitation Facility

• Nearly 65 per cent of rural households had no latrine facility whereas 11 per cent of urban households did not have any latrine.
• Nearly 14 per cent of the households in rural areas and 8 per cent in urban areas used pit latrine.
• In rural areas, septic tank/flush latrine was used by 18 per cent households as compared to 77 per cent households in urban areas. 4. Electricity Facility
• At the all-India level, nearly 75 per cent of the households had electricity for domestic use. While 66 per cent households in rural areas had this facility, 96 per cent in urban areas had the facility.

5. Households With Three Basic Facilities: Drinking Water Within Premises, Latrine and Electricity

• Nearly 18 per cent of rural households had all three facilities (drinking water within premises, latrine and electricity) whereas in urban areas, all three facilities were available to 68 per cent households.

6. Micro Environmental Elements Surrounding the House

• Nearly 19 per cent of the households in rural areas and 6 per cent in urban areas had open katcha drainage.
• Nearly 57 per cent of the households in rural areas and 15 per cent in urban areas had no drainage arrangement.
• Garbage disposal arrangement was available to only 24 per cent of rural households and 79 per cent of the urban households.
• Nearly 18 per cent of the rural households and 6 per cent of the urban households had no direct opening to road.

The CSO group can use this report to develop advocacy action points and targeting of community for improved service delivery related to water and sanitation. This is first report in its kind that presents information on access to water and sanitation services in rural and urban India as per social group. It is shocking to know that, only 19% of ST community and 30% of SC community has access to Tapped source of drinking water and 75% of ST ,76% SC community members doesn't have latrine facility in rural area.