GS Paper III
News Excerpt:
The recurring water crises should compel rethinking on sustainable use of fast-depleting aquifers.
More detail about news:
- In Karnataka, the season kicked off earlier than usual, starting in March. This premature onset has intensified the water crisis in Bengaluru, the state capital, which is already grappling with its most severe drought in decades.
- In Delhi, the scorching temperatures have led to a similar emergency, reigniting an old dispute over water allocation to the capital. Last month, the Delhi government moved the Supreme Court, seeking an increased share of the Yamuna’s waters.
- Chennai too has experienced shortages in recent years. Several other Indian cities are under similar stress, indicating that water supply is rarely factored in urban planning.
- The weak monsoon last year has compounded an already difficult situation caused by unregulated urban growth and depleting groundwater resources.
Challenges of water crisis faced by urban India:
- Reduced River Flows and Falling Water Tables
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- Reduced river flows and falling water tables have made the summer harsher in several parts of the country, leading to water crisis in cities like Bengaluru and Delhi.
- Water Disputes Between States
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- The water crisis in Delhi has reignited an old dispute over water allocation from the Yamuna River, leading to a Supreme Court intervention directing Himachal Pradesh and Haryana to facilitate water flow to the National Capital Region (NCR).
- The Delhi government claims Haryana is not complying with the water-sharing directive, while Haryana argues that water is "evaporating" in transit.
- As global warming intensifies, the country needs a long-term policy to prevent such conflicts and ensure water availability.
- It highlights the need for better coordination and water-sharing arrangements between states.
- Neglect of Aquifer Health and Supply-Side Focus
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- While the government has focused on providing tap water connections, the health of aquifers continues to be neglected.
- The country has historically tried to address water deficits by focusing on supply-side parameters, but more needs to be done to tackle long-standing shortfalls.
- Lack of Coordination and Rainwater Harvesting
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- There is very little coordination between departments dealing with surface water, groundwater, irrigation resources, and drinking water.
- Plans to harvest rainwater remain largely on paper, despite alternating floods and dry spells in most parts of the country.
- Data Gaps and Demand-Side Management
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- Demand-side management of water resources requires analyses of practices at the household and industrial levels.
- Currently, the data on per capita water availability for different users is sketchy.
- Indian cities have a daily per capita water requirement of 135 liters, but people require only a fraction of this for drinking and cooking.
- Urban Water Supply Issues
- Bengaluru is experiencing its worst water crisis in decades due to weak monsoon, depleting groundwater resources, and unregulated urban growth.
- Several other Indian cities are under similar stress, indicating that water supply is rarely factored in urban planning. Like NCR, Chennai etc
- A large section of India's urban population does not receive safe drinking water, and only 10% of Indian cities meet drinking water standards, according to the Pey Jal Survekshan.
- Water quality deteriorates in the distribution network due to factors like old pipes, sediment buildup, accumulation of pathogens, leaky pipes, and proximity to sewer lines.
Potential Solutions:
- Efficient Water Use in Agriculture
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- Programs like the Sahi Fasal Campaign, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, and Atal Bhujal Yojana have taken early steps to encourage efficient water use in agriculture.
- Optimal use of irrigation resources is essential.
- Incentives and Conservation Measures
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- Emergencies usually precipitate knee-jerk responses like imposing fines for wasting water, when the need is to incentivize water conservation, reuse, and recycling.
- With climate vagaries imperiling the country's already-stressed aquifers, the new government should prioritize comprehensive water management strategies.
- Improved Urban Planning and Water Supply Integration
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- Water supply considerations need to be integrated into urban planning processes to ensure sustainable and equitable access to water resources.
- This includes factoring in groundwater availability, rainwater harvesting, and efficient distribution networks. For Example: Singapore's Water Pricing Policy incentivizes conservation by increasing water tariffs for households with higher consumption levels.
- Upgrading Water Infrastructure
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- Investments are needed to upgrade aging water infrastructure, such as replacing old pipes, improving treatment facilities, and minimizing leakages in distribution networks. This can help improve water quality and reduce water losses.
- Promoting Decentralized Water Management
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- Decentralized water management approaches, such as localized water treatment and distribution systems, can be more efficient and reduce the strain on centralized systems. Community involvement and awareness campaigns can also aid in water conservation efforts.
- Water Pricing and Metering
- Implementing appropriate water pricing and metering mechanisms can incentivize efficient water use and generate revenue for infrastructure maintenance and upgrades.
- However, affordability considerations for low-income households should be taken into account.
- Bengaluru has introduced a telescopic water tariff system, where higher consumption levels are charged at progressively higher rates.
