In August 2019, the Government of Odisha launched the seminal "Drink from Tap" Mission, revolutionizing urban water supply by ensuring 24/7 tap water that was safe to drink and use directly — eliminating the need for filtration or boiling.

To pave the way, Odisha rolled out pilot water supply schemes in select areas of Bhubaneswar and across the entire city of Puri. To assess their impact and sustainability, the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) was engaged to evaluate the efficacy and impact of the scheme. 

This assessment focuses on:

• Technical efficiency – The performance of the system on service level benchmarks
• Consumer perception – Public trust and satisfaction with the initiative
• Institutional capacity – Readiness for long-term implementation

With a vision to expand the mission across all 114 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in Odisha, the insights offered by NIUA will be critical for refining strategies, overcoming challenges, and ensuring the mission's long-term success. The evaluation done serves as a valuable blueprint for cities embarking on 24x7 potable water supply schemes in the near future.