What is Water Crisis? What is the situation in India?
Water Crisis- Water crisis refers to the situation where the available potable, safe water in a region is less than its demand. The World Bank refers to water scarcity as a condition when the annual per-capita availability is less than 1000 cubic metres .
Water Crisis Situation in India
| India possesses only 4% of the world’s freshwater resources, despite supporting 17% of the world’s population. A/C NITI Aayog’s “Composite Water Management Index (CWMI)”, report India is undergoing the worst water crisis in its history. Nearly 600 million people were facing high to extreme water stress. India’s annual per capita availability of 1,486 cubic meters in 2021 is in the water stress category (less than 1700 cubic meters). As per Govt estimates, this may reduce to 1,341 cubic metres by 2025 and 1,140 cubic metres by 2050. |
| According to NITI Aayog CWMI Report 200,000 people die every year due to inadequate access to safe water. 75% of the households in the country do not have access to drinking water. 40% of India’s population will have no access to drinking water by 2030. |
| India is the largest groundwater user in the world, with its total use exceeding 25% of the global usage. Nearly 70% of Ground water is contaminated. India is placed at the rank of 120 among 122 countries in the water quality index. |
What are the reasons for the Water Crisis in India?
1. Rising water demand- According to NITI Aayog, India’s water demand is increasing at a rapid rate. India’s water demand will be twice the available supply by 2030 . Also, the rate of depletion of groundwater in India during 2041-2080 will be thrice the current rate.
2. Groundwater use for agriculture – There is high groundwater usage in agriculture due to faulty cropping patterns. For ex- Water-intensive paddy cultivation in the states of Punjab and Haryana .
3. Encroachment of Natural Water Bodies- There has been destruction of lakes and small ponds to meet the infrastructure needs of burgeoning populations. For ex- Encroachment of lakes in Bengaluru .
4. Climate Change- Climate Change has led to erratic monsoon and reduced water levels in many rivers. This has induced water crisis in India.
5. Discharge of Pollutants- There has been contamination of groundwater resources by the discharge of industrial chemicals , sewers and improper mining activities .
6. Lack of proactive management policies- Water management policies in India have failed to keep pace with changing demands of time. For ex- The Easement Act of 1882 granting groundwater ownership rights to the landowner leading to indiscriminate use of water resources.
7. Governance issues- a. Water governance in India has been fragmented . The centre and the states have their respective departments for governing various issues related to water. b. There have been separate departments for surface water and groundwater. Central Water Commission ( for surface water ) and Central Ground Water Board ( for groundwater ). c. Politicization of inter-state disputes by the political parties have hindered the quick resolution of disputes.
8. Detached Citizens- Since water is a free resource, it is not valued by the citizens. Citizens are completely detached from the water issues.
What are the impacts of Water Crisis in India?
1. Economic Impact- a. As per World Bank, India’s GDP could decline by as much as 6% by 2050 due to water scarcity. b. Water scarcity will result in decline of food production . This will hamper India’s food security and have serious impacts on the livelihood of farmers and farm labourers. c. Decline in industrial production as Industrial sectors such as textiles, thermal power plants,etc. may suffer due to water shortage
2. Ecological Impact a. Water scarcity may lead to extinction of flora and fauna . b. Heavy metal contamination (Arsenic, cadmium, nickel etc.) and oil spills in rivers and oceans respectively may threaten the marine biodiversity .
3. Social Impact a. Deterioration of health of children due to intake of contaminated water . It leads to a reduction in human capital. b. The increased out-of-pocket expenditure on medical expenses adversely impacts the poorest and the most vulnerable sections. c. Increased hardships for women like school dropout,’ water wives ‘ to fetch water in drought prone regions .
4. Federal Relations- a. Amplification of the existing inter-state water disputes like Kaveri, Krishna, Godavari. There will be emergence of new disputes in the future. b. There will be a rise in parochial mindset and regionalism among states and may hinder growth of national unity.
5. International Relations- Water scarcity can lead to conflict among nations to get control over the water bodies. For ex- Impact on India-China relations due to Chinese building of dams over Brahmaputra river .
What are the government initiatives?
| It was started in 2019 as a movement for water conservation, recharge, and rainwater harvesting in 256 water-stressed districts. The JSA now covers all 740 districts in the country. |
| The programme lays emphasis on the recharge of groundwater resources and better exploitation of the groundwater resources. |
| Centre has decided to build 50,000 water bodies (Amrit Sarovar), with an approximate area of one acre, across the country for water conservation. |
| The scheme ‘Nal se Jal’ was started to ensure piped drinking water to every rural household by 2024. It is a component of the government’s Jal Jivan Mission. The nodal agency of the scheme will be Jal Shakti Ministry. |
| It is a comprehensive program with twin objectives of effective abatement of pollution in Ganga (Nirmal Dhara), conservation and rejuvenation of Ganga (Aviral Dhara). |
| Jal Shakti Ministry has been formed by merging the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation and the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation. Its aim includes-providing clean drinking water, implementing the Namami Ganga project, resolving the inter-state water disputes, cleaning Ganga. |
| The policy focuses on the conservation, promotion and protection of water. It promotes measures like rainwater harvesting for meeting the demand of water. |
What should be the Way Forward?
1. Promotion of Water Conservation- Encouraging rainwater harvesting to capture monsoon run-off. Also, traditional water conservation practices like Kudimaramath practice (Tamil Nadu), Ahar Pynes (Bihar), Bamboo Drip irrigation System(North-East) must be revived .
2. Demand-side Management- States can adopt a participatory approach with the involvement of local communities. For ex- The Swajal model adopted by Uttarakhand focussing on community-based management of water resources. Revival of Johads in Rajasthan desert by Rajendra Singh (Waterman of India).
3. Nature-Based Solutions- Nature-based solutions refer to the solutions that mimic natural processes to provide human , ecological and societal benefits . For ex- Artificial Floodplains to increase water retention , Forest management to reduce sediment loadings.
4. River Basin Management- River basin management must be done through hydrological-basin approach rather than administrative boundaries . Also, steps must be taken to promote interlinking of rivers , while addressing its environmental concerns.
5. Evidence-based policy-making- We must create robust water data systems with real-time monitoring capabilities. For ex- Andhra Pradesh’s online water dashboard for mapping of hydrological resources for better policymaking.
6. Implementing the Mihir Shah Committee Report- The Mihir Shah Committee recommendations must be implemented for restructuring the water governance in India: a. Establishing National Water Commission by merging Central Water Commission(CWC) and Central Groundwater Board(CGWB). It would ensure that the surface and the groundwater are taken as a single entity. b. Focussing on management and maintenance of dams rather than construction of dams. c. Adopting a participatory approach to water management.
Read More- UPSC Syllabus- GS 1- Issues related to water resources (Geography), GS 3- Environment |
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India’s Water Crisis – How to Solve it?
From Current Affairs Notes for UPSC » Editorials & In-depths » This topic
Water is the most valuable natural resource as it is essential for human survival and life on earth. However, the availability of freshwater for human consumption is highly under stress because of a variety of factors. This crisis of water scarcity is most visible in India as well as in other developing countries.
What is water scarcity?
- Water scarcity is the lack of freshwater resources to satisfy water demand.
- It is manifested by partial or no satisfaction of expressed demand, economic competition for water quantity or quality, disputes between users, irreversible groundwater depletion, and negative effects on the environment.
- It affects every continent and was categorised in 2019 by the World Economic Forum as one of the largest global risks with respect to its potential impact over the next decade.
- One-third of the global population (2 billion people) live under situations of severe water scarcity at least one month of the year.
- Half a billion people in the world affected by severe water scarcity all year round.
- Half of the world’s largest cities have been facing water scarcity.
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How is the water scarcity measured?
- The absolute minimum water requirement for domestic usage is 50 litres per person per day, though 100-200 litres is often recommended.
- Considering the needs of agriculture, industry and energy sectors, the recommended minimum annual per capita requirement is about 1700 cubic meters .
- If a country like India has only about 1700 cu. meters water per person per year, it will experience only occasional or local water distress .
- If the availability falls below this threshold level, the country will start to experience periodic or regular water stress .
- If the water availability declines below 1000 cu. meters, the country will suffer from chronic water scarcity . Lack of water will then start to severely affect human health and well-being as well as economic development.
- If the annual per capita supply declines below 500 cu. meters, the country will reach the stage of absolute scarcity .
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What is the status of water availability in India?
- India receives 4000 bcm (billion cubic metres) rainfall each year. Out of this, 1869 bcm remains after evaporation = The actual availability is only 1137 bcm.
- Even in that 1137 bcm of water, there is a lot of temporal as well as regional variations in the availability.
- For instance, on the one side, there are water surplus states such as Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and on the other side, there are water scarce states such as Maharashtra (Vidarbha, Beed), Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan and parts of Gujarat.
- Moreover, some states that are known to be water abundant such as Punjab, Haryana have their own issues.
What is the magnitude of the water crisis in India?
- Currently, the annual availability of water is 1123 bcm in India and the demand is around 750 bcm. However, by 2050 the annual demand for water will be 1180 bcm which will exceed the water availability = wide ramifications for the country.
- 70% of India’s water is contaminated.
- 75% of households do not have drinking water on its premises.
- 84% of rural households do not have access to piped water.
- 54% of the country’s groundwater is declining rapidly than it is being replenished.
- India’s water table is declining in most regions. Also, there is a presence of toxic elements like fluoride, arsenic, mercury, even uranium in our groundwater.
- Water levels in India’s major reservoirs have fallen to 21% of the average of the last decade.
- Hundreds of small and seasonal rivers are perishing permanently.
- Almost all the major perennial rivers remain stagnant.
- Cauvery and its tributaries haven’t met the ocean for decades; the upstream dams choke its flows downstream, affecting people in Tamil Nadu.
- Krishna river runs dry in her delta region for most of the year.
- According to NITI Aayog’s water quality index, India ranks 120 th among 122 countries.
What is the recent water crisis in India?
- Maharashtra is facing a water crisis of unprecedented proportions. After years of drought, the river currents have ebbed, water in dams and reservoirs have depleted and over-exploitation of groundwater has raised concerns regarding the long-term availability of water.
- Meanwhile, media reports claim IT firms in Chennai are asking employees to work from home. The reason is that they don’t have enough water to sustain their operations. It hasn’t rained for almost 200 days in the city and it may not get adequate rain to get over the water crisis for the next 3 months.
- In North India, the people of arid Thar Desert of Rajasthan are spending Rs. 2500 for getting 2500 litres of water which they share with their cattle.
- With Punjab facing the threat of desertification and the state struggling to break away from the wheat-paddy cycle, farmers in the state have been adopting a decade-old scheme to utilise underground pipeline system for irrigation.
- In light of this crisis, Central government on its part has created a Jal Shakti Ministry under a full-fledged cabinet minister to resolve the water crisis but a lot more needs to be done.
What are the reasons for this crisis?
Monsoon dependence:.
There is a huge dependence on monsoon rains to replenish most of India’s important water sources such as underground aquifers, lakes, rivers, and reservoirs . But monsoon is vulnerable to factors such as climate change, El-Nino , etc.
Uneven distribution of water and Rainfall pattern :
Certain regions have surplus amounts of water for their need while others face perennial droughts for most of the year. For instance, Drought is a recurrent phenomenon in Andhra Pradesh where no district is entirely free of droughts. Rajasthan is one of the most drought-prone areas of India.
Increasing demand :
Population growth, industrialization, rapid urbanisation, rising needs of irrigation and increase in domestic water usage have accelerated the demand for water. Since urbanization increases in India at a rapid pace = water demand will increase rapidly as city dwellers consume more water than rural people.
Urbanisation & Water scarcity:
- Currently, about 285 million or 33% of India’s total population resides in urban areas. By 2050 this figure will reach 50%.
- Rapid urbanisation is adding to the water scarcity issue in the country.
- Presence of buildings, tar, and cement roads = even if a city like Mumbai gets good rains, the rainwater is not retained in the area as the water is not allowed to percolate underground.
- Therefore, water required for cities is largely drawn from neighbouring villages and far-off rivers and lakes = threatening the availability in those areas.
- Large cities also generate large quantities of urban sewage which pollutes the freshwater sources and ocean waters. However, only about 20% of urban wastewater is currently treated globally. In India, the figure is even lower.
Overexploitation :
- In developing countries like India, groundwater fulfills nearly 80% of irrigation requirement = resulted in a fast depletion of groundwater sources.
- Free power and inefficient utilisation of water by farmers has added to the issue of groundwater depletion.
- The groundwater and sand extraction from most river beds and basins has turned unsustainable.
- Tanks and ponds are encroached upon.
- Dug-wells and borewells are carelessly built to slide deeper and deeper to suck water from greater depths.
Shift to cash-crops:
Water is being diverted from food crops to cash crops that consume an enormous quantity of water.
Inefficient cultivation practices:
- In India, around 70% of the population is still dependent on agriculture for its livelihood.
- Since the adoption of Green Revolution in the 1960s, nearly 50% of the food production comes from irrigated land.
- But inefficient cultivation practices have led to the flooding of fertile land which in turn has caused salinization, siltation of reservoirs, etc = causing groundwater reserves of major agricultural states to be depleted at an alarming rate.
Water Pollution :
- Release of industrial and domestic waste, including urban sewage, into rivers, lakes, and estuaries has polluted freshwater sources at an alarming rate in India = those fresh water sources are not fit for drinking or other activities.
- Eutrophication of surface water and coastal zones is expected to increase almost everywhere leads to nitrogen pollution .
What are the impacts of the water crisis?
Economic growth: A Niti Aayog report predicted that water demand will be twice the present supply by 2030 and India could lose up to 6% of its GDP during that time.
Power supply: Water shortages are hurting India’s capacity to generate electricity because 40% of thermal power plants are located in areas where water scarcity is high.
Agricultural crisis: Indian agriculture is heavily dependent on monsoon (not dependable) + Ineffective agricultural practices in irrigated areas = Water stress in agriculture = Poor Cultivation = Farmer suicides .
Drinking water scarcity: Not only farmers are affected by the water crisis, urban dwellers in cities and towns across India are also facing a never seen before drinking water scarcity.
Conflicts over water : In India, there are conflicts between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu over sharing of Cauvery waters, between Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh over sharing of Narmada waters, between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana over sharing of Krishna waters, etc.
What are the measures taken by the government?
Across the country, states are taking the lead:.
- In Rajasthan, there is a scheme named ‘Mukhya Mantri Jal Swavlamban Abhiyan’. One of its objectives is to facilitate effective implementation of water conservation and water harvesting related activities in rural areas.
- Maharashtra has launched a project called ‘Jalyukt-Shivar’, which seeks to make 5000 villages free of water scarcity every year.
- accelerating the development of minor irrigation infrastructure,
- strengthening community-based irrigation management and
- adopting a comprehensive programme for restoration of tanks.
Jal Shakti Abhiyan:
- It is a collaborative initiative of various Union Ministries and State Governments, being coordinated by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS).
- Focus Area: is water-stressed districts (256) and blocks (1592).
- Team: Central government officers, headed by joint secretaries and additional secretaries, are assigned to these 256 districts and district administration will also select 2 members to join the team. This team of officers from the central government and district administration will visit and work on water-stressed districts and blocks to ensure water conservation initiatives.
- The campaign is centered on 5 aspects
- Water conservation and rainwater harvesting
- Renovation of traditional and other water bodies/tanks
- Reuse of water and recharging of structures like bore well
- Watershed development
- Intensive afforestation
- Significance: With this initiative, the government seeks to provide drinking water to all households on a priority and in a sustainable way. It is also expected to bring a positive mindset in people for water conservation. The campaign will assist people to work for rainwater harvesting, maintenance, and upkeep of ponds and village tanks and conservation of water.
Jal Shakti Mantralaya
- The government has created a new Ministry named ‘Jal Shakti’after merging Ministry of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation with the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation.
- Providing clean drinking water,
- International and inter-states water disputes,
- Namami Gange project aimed at cleaning Ganga and its tributaries, and sub-tributaries.
- The ministry will launch the government’s ambitious plan (‘Nal se Jal’ scheme under jal jivan plan) to provide piped drinking water supply to every household in India by 2024.
- This Move seeks to consolidate the administration and bringing water-related issues such as conservation, development, management, and abatement of pollution under a single ministry.
- National River Conservation Directorate (NRCD) is responsible for implementing the centrally sponsored national river conservation plan for all rivers across the country except river Ganga and its tributaries (as issues regarding Ganga and its tributaries are taken up by National Mission for Clean Ganga).
Jal Jeevan Mission *
Atal Bhujal Yojana *
- It is a world bank funded central scheme that aims to improve groundwater management at the national level… Read More .
Can a new water ministry tackle the worst water crisis in Indian history?
- Experts are of the opinion that an exclusive ministry can only bring about a cosmetic but not a real change.
- Water is a state subject = Unless states make specific requests the centre cannot intervene.
What are the solutions to the water crisis in India?
Good water management practices :
- India receives adequate annual rainfall through the south-west monsoon. However, most regions of the country are still water deficient mainly because of inefficient water management practices.
- Rainwater harvesting should be encouraged on a large scale, especially, in cities where the surface runoff of rainwater is very high.
- Roof-top rainwater harvesting can also be utilised to recharge groundwater by digging percolation pits around the house and filling it with gravel.
- Indian cities need to learn from Cape Town of South Africa which when faced with the water crisis in 2018 had announced “ Day Zero “. During that day, water-taps in the city turned off = people had to use communal water-taps to conserve water. Restrictions on water use per person were also fixed.
- Since water is a state subject in India state governments should take active measures and create awareness for the minimal use of water.
Interlinking of rivers :
- Interlinking of rivers is a topic that has been discussed and debated for several years as a possible permanent solution to the water crisis in the country.
- The 3 primary advantages mentioned in favour of the scheme are (1) droughts will never occur (2) there will be no more floods in the major rivers and (3) an additional 30,000 MW of hydropower will be generated.
Coordination in aquifer usage: There is an urgent need for coordination among users for aquifers. There should be laws and contracts for sharing of aquifers. Groundwater aquifer mapping has started only recently in India which is a welcome step.
River basin authority: There should be a River Basin Authority for sharing information among states since most of the rivers in India pass through different states.
Coordinated efforts among states for management of groundwater at a localized level.
Community-level management: At the village level, there can be decentralized management of water at the community level.
Charging money for efficient use of water (like electricity). For example- Water ATMs at Marathwada provide water @25 paisa per litre a day.
Good Cultivation practices:
- Changing the cropping pattern, crop diversification and encouraging water use efficiency in agriculture by moving towards food crops from cash crops.
- Innovative farming practices like precision farming , zero budget natural farming , etc. could be employed for efficient water utilisation.
Incentive-based water conservation in rural parts of the water-stressed regions is another solution.
- For example, if a particular level of groundwater level is maintained, higher MSP can be provided to the farmers of that region.
- MSP can also be provided based on crop’s water usage = Crops that consume a high amount of water will get less MSP.
Way forward
India is not a water deficit country, but due to severe neglect and lack of monitoring of water resource development projects, many regions in the country face water stress from time to time. Therefore balancing water demand with available supply is the need of the hour for future economic growth and development as well as for the sustenance of human life.
New National Water Policy (NWP)
In November 2019, the Ministry of Jal Shakti had set up a committee to draft the new National Water Policy (NWP). This was the first time that the government asked a committee of independent experts to draft the policy.
Highlights of NWP
1) demand-side: diversification of public procurement operations.
- Irrigation utilizes 80-90% of India’s water , most of which is used by rice, wheat, and sugarcane.
- Therefore, crop diversification is the single most crucial step in addressing India’s water crisis.
- The policy recommends diversifying public procurement operations to include Nutri-cereals, pulses, and oilseeds.
- This would incentivize farmers to diversify their cropping patterns, resulting in huge savings of water.
2) Reduce-Recycle-Reuse
- Reduce-Recycle-Reuse has been suggested as the basic mantra of integrated urban water supply and wastewater management, with the treatment of sewage and eco-restoration of urban river stretches, as far as possible via decentralised wastewater management.
- All non-potable use like flushing, fire protection, vehicle washing should mandatorily shift to treated wastewater.
3) Supply-side measure: Using technology to use stored water in dams
- Within supply-side options, the NWP points to trillions of litres stored in big dams, that are still not reaching farmers.
- NWP recommends how the irrigated areas could be considerably expanded at very low cost by using pressurised closed conveyance pipelines, in addition to Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems and pressurised micro-irrigation.
4) Supply of water through “nature-based solutions”
- The NWP places major importance on the supply of water via “nature-based solutions” like the rejuvenation of catchment areas, to be incentivised through compensation for ecosystem services.
- Specially curated “blue-green infrastructure” like rain gardens and bio-swales, restored rivers with wet meadows, wetlands constructed for bio-remediation, urban parks, permeable pavements, green roofs etc are suggested for urban areas.
5) Sustainable and equitable management of groundwater
- Information on aquifer boundaries , water storage capacities and flows provided in a user-friendly manner to stakeholders, assigned as custodians of their aquifers, would allow them to create protocols for effective management of groundwater.
6) Rights of Rivers
- The NWP accords river protection and revitalisation prior and primary importance.
- Steps to restore river flows include: Re-vegetation of catchments, regulation of groundwater extraction, river-bed pumping and mining of sand and boulders.
- The NWP outlines a process to draft a Rights of Rivers Act, including their right to flow, to meander and to meet the sea.
7) Emphasis on water quality
- The new NWP considers water quality as the most serious un-addressed issue in India today.
- It proposes that every water ministry, at the Centre and states, include a water quality department.
- The policy advocates adoption of state-of-the-art, low-cost, low-energy, eco-sensitive technologies for sewage treatment.
- Widespread use of reverse osmosis has led to huge water wastage and adverse impact on water quality.
- The policy wants RO units to be discouraged if the total dissolved solids count in water is less than 500mg/L.
- It suggests a task force on emerging water contaminants to better understand and tackle the threats they are likely to pose.
8) Reforming governance of water
- The policy makes radical proposals for improving the governance of water, which suffers from three kinds of issues: That between irrigation and drinking water, surface and groundwater, as also water and wastewater.
- Government departments, working in silos, have generally dealt with just one side of these binaries.
- Dealing with drinking water and irrigation in silos has meant that aquifers providing assured sources of drinking water dry up because the same aquifers are used for irrigation, which consumes much more water.
- And when water and wastewater are separated in planning, the result is a fall in water quality.
9) Creation of National Water Commission
- The NWP also suggests the creation of a unified multi-disciplinary, multi-stakeholder National Water Commission (NWC), which would become an exemplar for states to follow.
- Governments should build enduring partnerships with primary stakeholders of water , who must become an integral part of the NWC and its counterparts in the states.
How Gujarat transformed from Water-deficit state to surplus state?
- The Gujarat government created the state-level Bhaskaracharya Institute for Space Applications and Geoinformatics (BISAG) to aid in the supply of services and solutions for the deployment of map-based GeoSpatial Information Systems.
- Micro-level check dams.
- Macro-level projects particularly in the Saurashtra, Kutch, and North Gujarat areas.
- Gujarat launched the Kutch branch canal from the Narmada Main canal, which helps provide water to the most distant parts.
- Sujalam Sufalam Yojana: to irrigate the areas of North Gujarat.
- The SAUNI Yojana (Saurashtra Narmada Avtaran Irrigation Yojana), which means literally “reincarnation of the Narmada River in the region,” was thus introduced.
- Administrative and Governance reforms.
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Excellent essay indeed!
Great explanation.
worth a praise! well done :)
Wish you could mention the references for all the statistics and facts.
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Where are effects🙄
Haven’t you seen the impacts heading in this article?
Great explanation and essay. This is exactly what I have been searching for.
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Bengaluru's Water Crisis: A Wake-Up Call for India
- 08 Mar 2024
- 13 min read
- GS Paper - 3
- Environmental Pollution & Degradation
- GS Paper - 1
- Water Resources
This editorial is based on the article “Bengaluru's worst water crisis leaves country's IT capital high and dry” which was published in the Times of India on 07/03/2024. The article talks about the severe water crisis in Bengaluru and assesses the government’s efforts to alleviate the situation.
For Prelims: Water Crisis , Cauvery River , Composite Water Management Index (CWMI) , MGNREGA for water conservation , National Water Mission , Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABHY) , Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) , National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) , One Water Approach.
For Mains: State of the groundwater crisis in India, Steps to Address the Water Crisis in India.
Bengaluru is facing a worsening water crisis , leading to significant shortages in various areas. According to the reports, 223 of the 236 talukas in Karnataka are affected by drought, including Mandya and Mysuru districts, the sources of Bengaluru’s water.
As summer intensifies, about 7,082 villages across Karnataka are at risk of witnessing a drinking water crisis in the coming months.
What are the Reasons Behind Bengaluru's Severe Water Scarcity?
- The city has witnessed insufficient rainfall in the past couple of monsoons. This has significantly impacted the Cauvery River, a primary source of water for the city. Lower river levels mean less water for drinking and agriculture.
- Karnataka received a 38% deficit in north-east Monsoon showers from October to December. The State received a 25% deficit in southwest monsoon rain from June to September.
- As per information from the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Management Centre (KSNDMC), the water levels in Cauvery Basin reservoirs like Harangi, Hemavathi, and Kabini are at 39% of their total capacity as of 2024.
- Bengaluru's explosive growth has resulted in the concretisation of natural landscapes that used to absorb rainwater. This reduces groundwater recharge and increases surface runoff, leading to less water percolation.
- Residents rely on borewells to supplement the water supply. However, with falling rain and excessive extraction, groundwater levels are rapidly declining, causing many borewells to dry up.
- The city's infrastructure, including water supply systems and sewage networks, has not kept pace with its rapid growth. This inadequacy exacerbates the challenges of distributing water efficiently to meet the demands of the expanding population.
- The anticipated completion of Phase-5 of the Cauvery project, designed to provide 110 litres of drinking water daily to 12 lakh people, is expected by May 2024.
- Changing weather patterns, including erratic rainfall and prolonged droughts, attributed to climate change, have reduced the availability of water in Bengaluru's reservoirs and natural water bodies.
- The Indian Meteorological Department attributes the region's poor rainfall to the El Niño phenomenon.
- Pollution from industrial discharge, untreated sewage, and solid waste dumping has contaminated water sources, rendering them unfit for consumption and further reducing the available water supply.
- A study conducted by the Environmental Management & Policy Research Institute (EMPRI) states that about 85% of Bengaluru’s water bodies are polluted by industrial effluents, sewage, and solid waste dumping.
- Inefficient water management practices, including wastage, leakage, and unequal distribution of water resources, contribute to the severity of the water scarcity crisis, with some areas receiving inadequate or irregular water supply.
- Disputes over water sharing between Karnataka and neighbouring states, particularly with regard to rivers like the Cauvery, further complicate efforts to manage and secure water resources for Bengaluru's residents.
- There is an ongoing tussle between the central and state governments concerning the distribution and allocation of funds aimed at addressing the drought situation in Karnataka.
What is the Current State of the Groundwater Crisis in India?
- Despite supporting 17% of the world's population, India possesses only 4% of the world's freshwater resources, making it challenging to meet the water needs of its vast populace.
- A report titled “Composite Water Management Index (CWMI)”, published by NITI Aayog in June 2018, mentioned that India was undergoing the worst water crisis in its history; that nearly 600 million people were facing high to extreme water stress ; and about 200,000 people were dying every year due to inadequate access to safe water.
- India is the largest groundwater user in the world , with an estimated usage of around 251 bcm per year, more than a quarter of the global total.
- With more than 60% of irrigated agriculture and 85% of drinking water supplies dependent on it, and growing industrial/urban usage, groundwater is a vital resource.
- It is projected that the per capita water availability will dip to around 1400 m3 in 2025, and further down to 1250 m3 by 2050.
- Groundwater contamination is the presence of pollutants such as bacteria, phosphates, and heavy metals from human activities including domestic sewage.
- The NITI Aayog report mentioned that India was placed at the rank of 120 amongst 122 countries in the water quality index, with nearly 70% of water being contaminated.
- In parts of India, high levels of arsenic, fluoride, nitrate, and iron are also naturally occurring in groundwater, with concentrations likely to rise as water tables fall.
- The water crisis in India is compounded by a growing demand for clean water, particularly from a fast-growing middle class, and widespread practices of open defecation, leading to health-related concerns.
- 163 Million Indians lack access to safe drinking water.
- 210 Million Indians lack access to improved sanitation.
- 21% of communicable diseases are linked to unsafe water.
- 500 children under the age of five die from diarrhoea each day in India.
- The NITI Aayog report projected the country’s water demand to be twice the available supply by 2030, implying severe scarcity for hundreds of millions of people and an eventual loss in the country’s GDP.
- The rate of depletion of groundwater in India during 2041-2080 will be thrice the current rate with global warming, according to a new report.
- Across climate change scenarios, the researchers found that their estimate of Groundwater Level (GWL) declines from 2041 to 2080 is 3.26 times current depletion rates on average (from 1.62-4.45 times) depending on the Climate model and Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) scenario.
What are the Key Government Schemes To Tackle The Groundwater Crisis in India?
- MGNREGA for water conservation
- Jal Kranti Abhiyan
- National Water Mission
- Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABHY)
- Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)
- National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG)
What Steps Should Be Taken to Address the Water Crisis in India?
- The national interlinking of rivers (ILR) is the idea that rivers should be inter-connected, so that water from the surplus rivers and regions could be transferred to deficient regions and rivers to address the issue of water scarcity.
- Implementing water conservation measures at individual, community, and national levels is crucial.
- This includes promoting rainwater harvesting, efficient irrigation techniques, and minimising water wastage in domestic, industrial, and agricultural sectors.
- Allocate adequate financial resources for water infrastructure development, maintenance, and rehabilitation.
- Explore innovative financing mechanisms such as public-private partnerships, water tariffs, and user fees to mobilise funding for water projects.
- Encourage farmers to adopt water-efficient farming practices such as drip irrigation, precision agriculture, crop rotation, and agroforestry.
- Providing incentives and subsidies for implementing water-saving technologies can facilitate this transition.
- As per the MS Swaminathan committee report on ‘More Crop and Income Per Drop of Water’ (2006) , drip and sprinkler irrigation can save around 50% of water in crop cultivation and increase the yield of crops by 40-60%.
- Combat water pollution by enforcing strict regulations on industrial discharge, sewage treatment, and agricultural runoff.
- Implementing wastewater treatment plants and adopting eco-friendly practices can help reduce pollution levels in rivers, lakes, and groundwater sources.
- Strengthen water governance frameworks by enacting and enforcing water-related legislation, policies, and regulatory mechanisms.
- Establishing local, regional, and national water management authorities can facilitate coordinated decision-making and implementation of water management strategies.
- Introducing minimum support policies for less water-intensive crops can reduce the pressure on agricultural water use.
- Strengthening community participation and rights in groundwater governance can improve groundwater management.
- World Bank projects for groundwater governance in peninsular India were successful on several fronts by implementing the Participatory Groundwater Management approach (PGM).
- One Water Approach , also referred to as Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), is the recognition that all water has value, regardless of its source.
- It includes managing that source in an integrated, inclusive and sustainable manner by including the community, business leaders, industries, farmers, conservationists, policymakers, academics and others for ecological and economic benefits.
By fostering inclusive participation from all stakeholders, and implementing sound policies that prioritise long-term sustainability over short-term gains, India can pave the way towards a future where every Indian has access to safe and reliable groundwater.
Evaluate the severity of the groundwater crisis in India and suggest effective strategies to mitigate its impact. |
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Q. What are the benefits of implementing the ‘Integrated Watershed Development Programme’? (2014)
- Prevention of soil runoff
- Linking the country’s perennial rivers with seasonal rivers
- Rainwater harvesting and recharge of groundwater table
- Regeneration of natural vegetation
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2, 3 and 4 only (c) 1, 3 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Q. What is water stress? How and why does it differ regionally in India? (2019)
189 'potential violations' of Safe Drinking Water Act cited in review of Riviera Beach Utility District
It's a water crisis that led to a crisis of confidence.
Since WPTV broke the news that Riviera Beach's Utility District neglected to tell water users of contamination, people feared drinking water jeopardized their health.
"I would be dead asleep," said Riviera Beach resident David Simpson, who believes the water caused illness. "And all of a sudden I feel like I went 10 rounds with Mike Tyson."
"This is the kind of thing you wonder if the governor needs to step in," added Scott Lewis.
Riviera Beach
This city is under investigation for breaking water quality laws 189 times
From a letter we obtained through a public record request, the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) cites Riviera Beach utilities with possible violations.
The Health Department writes the city "…may have failed to report the results of test measurements" 151 times.
Other potential violations:
- Failing to report positive tests for fecal matter
- Failing to implement corrective actions
- Failing to issue public notices
I asked veteran attorney Richard Schuler what he thought of the letter. "Shocked and appalled, frankly," said Schuler, who once lived in Riviera Beach and is not involved in litigation in this case.
"To see as many violations as they have in such a period of time is incredible to me," Schuler said. "The city and obviously the residents of the city are going to be responsible to pay for it."
A statement from the Utilities District did not address the potential of fines. It read, "We have met with the FDOH to discuss the matter and agree on a course of action to investigate and validate the potential violations."
I took concerns over the report to Riviera Beach City Council President Douglas Lawson.
WPTV Investigates
WPTV EXCLUSIVE: Riviera Beach city manager apologizes for water quality issues
"That letter is just a warning letter, to let us know there are claims that are going out," said Lawson, who says the city may challenge some of what the Florida Department of Health calls "potential violations."
"Once we find out what we're going to do and what we negotiate with the Health Department, we're going to make sure we address the concerns," said Lawson, who added the city's drinking water is safe and that the potential violations are from 2023.
Lawson says if there are any fines, the city will try to negotiate to lower them.
We're staying on top of all the developments in the water crisis, and we'll bring them to you when they come available.
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Drinking water crisis hits Telangana due to lack of power to pump Mission Bhagiratha water
Due to power disruption people in over 5,000 habitations across Telangana faced drinking water problems after heavy rain lashed the State earlier this week
Hyderabad: The disruption of power supply due to heavy rain and strong wind has halted the pumping of drinking water in several habitations across six districts of the State.
The heavy rains in the last few days have severely disrupted drinking water supply networks, particularly in the districts of Khammam, Bhadradri-Kothagudem, Mahabubabad, Suryapet, Nizamabad, and Nagarkurnool. According to officials, due to power disruption people in over 5,000 habitations faced drinking water problems after heavy rain lashed the State on August 31. For the first three days people in these districts did not have access to drinking water through pipelines and they had to depend on other sources, the officials added.
After restoration of power, drinking water supply has started in over 4000 habitations and efforts are being made by the power officials to restore power in other habitations as well.The power officials informed that drinking water supply was halted as in several places as substations submerged due floods. They claimed that power supply restoration works were going on a war footing and that in the next 24-hours restoration works would be completed in the majority of the affected areas.
Telangana State Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (TGSPDCL) Chairman and Managing Director Musharraf Ali Faruqui informed that the company suffered heavy losses in Suryapet district due to heavy rains. As many as 2127 electric poles, including 15 33 kv poles, 1074 11 kv poles, 1038 LT poles and 319 transformers were damaged due to rain and strong wind, he said.
According to Telangana State Northern Power Distribution Company Limited(TGNPDCL) officials, except for some places in Khammam, Bhadradri-Kothagudem and Mahabubabad districts, the power had been restored in all the other districts under its jurisdiction. They ensured that in the next 24-hours power would be restored in all the areas in these three districts.
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Enhancing Drinking Water Safety: Real-Time Prediction of Trihalomethanes in a Water Distribution System Using Machine Learning and Multisensory Technology
21 Pages Posted: 5 Sep 2024
Antonio Jesús Aragón Barroso
affiliation not provided to SSRN
David Ribes
Francisco osorio.
University of Granada
Prolonged exposure to high concentrations of trihalomethanes (THMs) may generate human health risks due to their carcinogenic and mutagenic properties. Therefore, monitoring THMs in drinking water distribution systems (WDS) is crucial. This study focused on the statistical modelling of THMs formation through multiple linear regression (MLR) method to develop simple predictive models which acted as preventive tools capable of alerting about potential increases of THMs within the water network. To do this, a dataset with 1192 observations of water quality measurements in the study area over five years was built. The independent variables chosen to explain the formation of THMs were free residual chlorine (FRC), total organic carbon (TOC), conductivity, pH and turbidity. Then, after performing an exploratory analysis of the dataset using Pearson’s correlation matrix and an ANOVA test, multiple regression models were programmed. Thus, a total of two predictive models were built, based on data filtering by conductivity levels, with a coefficient of determination (R) of 0.64 and 0.47. The algorithms of the predictive models were integrated into the control center of the water company in the study area. On the other hand, a multisensory device was installed in a strategically located drinking water tank to measure the values of the independent variables of the models. These measurements were transmitted online to the control center to continually update the predictive models and provide real-time THMs forecasts. Finally, model validation was conducted by comparing the real-time predictions of the models with actual THMs from laboratory analysis, achieving an average accuracy of 90%.
Keywords: THMs, model, prediction, monitoring, multisensory device
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
Antonio Jesús Aragón Barroso (Contact Author)
Affiliation not provided to ssrn ( email ).
No Address Available
University of Granada ( email )
C/Rector López Argueta S/N Granada, 18071 Spain
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Sudan: 500 days of war have triggered a massive humanitarian crisis
More international aid is urgently required to meet the soaring medical needs, from catastrophic child malnutrition to widespread disease outbreaks.
Dr. Faiza Hamed Hangata (center), who is from El Geneina in West Darfur, Sudan, tries to resuscitate a child with tracheal bronchitis and septic shock. Chad 2024 © Finbarr O’Reilly/VII Photo
- Access to medicines
- Malnutrition
PORT SUDAN/DARFUR, SUDAN, August 27, 2024 — Today marks 500 days of a dire humanitarian crisis brought on by the war in Sudan . This is a shameful moment for international humanitarian organizations and donors, who for over 16 months have failed to provide an adequate response to the country’s escalating medical needs, from catastrophic child malnutrition to widespread disease outbreaks.
Heavy restrictions on the movement of supplies and personnel imposed by both warring parties have drastically limited the capacity of organizations delivering aid, including Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).
Fighting between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) started in the capital, Khartoum , on April 15, 2023 and has been raging across the country since then. The conflict has triggered an unprecedented humanitarian crisis in Sudan, leaving tens of thousands of people killed or injured. Between April 2023 and June 2024, MSF treated 11,985 war-wounded patients at supported hospitals. The violence has created the world’s largest displacement crisis: Over 10 million people —1 in 5 people in Sudan—have been forced to flee their homes, according to the UN, and many have been displaced multiple times.
Malnutrition on the rise
As political solutions to the crisis are not forthcoming, malnutrition is rising amid increasing food prices and a lack of humanitarian supplies. A catastrophic malnutrition crisis is taking place in North Darfur’s Zamzam camp , and MSF’s inpatient therapeutic feeding centers in other parts of Darfur including El Geneina, Nyala, and Rokero are full of patients. The same applies to refugee camps where we operate in eastern Chad . Between the onset of the war and June 2024, we treated 34,751 acutely malnourished children in Sudan.
Today children are dying of malnutrition across Sudan. The help they most urgently need is barely coming and, when it does, it is often blocked. Tuna Turkmen, MSF emergency coordinator
"Today children are dying of malnutrition across Sudan,” said Tuna Turkmen, MSF emergency coordinator in Darfur. “The help they most urgently need is barely coming and, when it does, it is often blocked. In July, for instance, trucks with MSF supplies in two different locations in Darfur were blocked from reaching their destination. Two trucks were held by RSF, and one was seized by unknown armed men.”
Supply blockages and rainy season compound needs
The situation is also challenging in eastern and central Sudan.
“In south Khartoum, MSF has been blocked from bringing medical supplies and international staff to hospitals for many months,” said Claire San Filippo, also an MSF emergency coordinator in Sudan. “It is becoming increasingly difficult to provide the medical care our patients need, including maternity and emergency care.”
On top of man-made impediments imposed or tolerated by the warring parties—including lawlessness, insecurity, bureaucratic obstacles, and delayed or denied permissions to reach affected areas, which have significantly slowed down the humanitarian response—now the natural environment is also hampering the movement of humanitarian personnel and supplies.
Since the collapse of the Mornei bridge in West Darfur on August 8, millions of people have been unable to access assistance as it was the only route connecting Central and South Darfur with Chad, where supplies are sent from.
The rainy season, an annual occurrence that exacerbates needs and complicates movements, is currently at its peak. Heavy rains have flooded crossing points and washed away critical roads and bridges. Since the collapse of the Mornei bridge in West Darfur on August 8, millions of people have been unable to access assistance as it was the only route connecting Central and South Darfur with Chad, where supplies are sent from.
We already see an uptick in malaria cases and waterborne diseases, and cholera outbreaks have been declared in at least three states. For children, the threat of vaccine -preventable diseases, such as measles , is looming since the war has put immunization campaigns on hold.
Attacks on health care leave few functioning facilities
Meanwhile, the conflict has put nearly 80 percent of health facilities in some states out of service, according to the World Health Organization, straining an already struggling health system. In El Fasher alone, MSF-supported facilities were attacked 12 times and only one public hospital remains partially functional with the ability to perform surgery since fighting escalated in the city in May.
More recently, at around 4:40 a.m. on August 22, shelling struck and damaged a house accommodating part of the MSF team working in El Fasher and Zamzam. Fortunately, no one in the house was injured. This constitutes the 84th violent incident against MSF staff, vehicles, and premises in Sudan since the start of this conflict, which has been characterized by a glaring disregard for the protection of civilians, health personnel, and facilities.
The situation is not much better in neighboring countries, where about 2 million have sought refuge, often separated from their loved ones.
“My husband has been missing for over a year and I don't know where he is,” said Um Adel, a woman in Metché camp in eastern Chad. “[My son] Khalid was fine until the food started to diminish. After a day or two of not eating well, he developed a high fever. I don't feel comfortable here and the situation is not good. I want to go back to Sudan.”
Urgent action is needed in Sudan
Warring parties—and member states with influence over them—must ensure the protection of civilians, health personnel, and medical facilities. Responsible authorities on both sides of the conflict must simplify processes of granting permissions for humanitarian movement and personnel through all available routes across borders, states, and front lines, and provide prompt responses. And the United Nations, relevant agencies, and anyone who has the power to help must employ all measures to ensure that available access routes are utilized to their fullest extent.
In many places we work, we are the only international organization operating, but we cannot tackle this huge crisis alone. We are also struggling to get supplies and staff to our projects. Esperanza Santos, an MSF emergency coordinator in Sudan
“MSF tries to fill some of the gaps,” said Esperanza Santos, an MSF emergency coordinator in Sudan. “In many places we work, we are the only international organization operating, but we cannot tackle this huge crisis alone. We are also struggling to get supplies and staff to our projects. In tandem with access, securing sustained funding to UN agencies as well as local organizations and others carrying the brunt of this response, is also essential. A meaningful response, with aid reaching people who need it most, must start now. There is no more time to waste.”
“He survived the worst of the war and died from drinking dirty water”
MSF is one of the few international organizations working on both sides of the conflict in Sudan , currently running and supporting medical projects including in over 20 primary health care clinics and hospitals across eight of Sudan’s 18 states. MSF employs 926 Sudanese staff and 118 international staff, and provides incentives to 1,092 Ministry of Health staff who are often working without pay.
Sudan crisis response
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7) The Price Is Wrong. Globally, water is seriously undervalued. Its price does not reflect the true, total cost of service, from its transport via infrastructure to its treatment and disposal. This has led to misallocation of water, and a lack of investments in infrastructure and new water technologies that use water more efficiently.
Argumentative Essay On Drinking Water Shortage Environmental Sciences Essay. Although most of the earth's surface is covered with water, water shortage is a serious threat to the survival of humanity at present and in future. There is a water crisis which faces many parts of the world and it is a threat to survival of human beings since ...
Here are 100, 200 and 500 word essays on Water Scarcity. The lack of freshwater supplies to meet water demand is known as water scarcity. Most nations today have regulations protecting water quality and limiting water usage. Water nourishes not only the soil but also the human body. Nothing can flourish without water.
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Water Crisis: 1. India possesses only 4% of the world's freshwater resources, despite supporting 17% of the world's population. 2. A/C NITI Aayog's " Composite Water Management Index (CWMI)", report India is undergoing the worst water crisis in its history.Nearly 600 million people were facing high to extreme water stress. 3. India's annual per capita availability of 1,486 cubic ...
54% of the country's groundwater is declining rapidly than it is being replenished. India's water table is declining in most regions. Also, there is a presence of toxic elements like fluoride, arsenic, mercury, even uranium in our groundwater. Water levels in India's major reservoirs have fallen to 21% of the average of the last decade.
The water crisis in India is compounded by a growing demand for clean water, particularly from a fast-growing middle class, and widespread practices of open defecation, leading to health-related concerns. 163 Million Indians lack access to safe drinking water. 210 Million Indians lack access to improved sanitation.
It's a water crisis that led to a crisis of confidence. Since WPTV broke the news that Riviera Beach's Utility District neglected to tell water users of contamination, people feared drinking water ...
Hyderabad: The disruption of power supply due to heavy rain and strong wind has halted the pumping of drinking water in several habitations across six districts of the State. The heavy rains in the last few days have severely disrupted drinking water supply networks, particularly in the districts of Khammam, Bhadradri-Kothagudem, Mahabubabad, Suryapet, Nizamabad, and Nagarkurnool.
Therefore, monitoring THMs in drinking water distribution systems (WDS) is crucial. This study focused on the statistical modelling of THMs formation through multiple linear regression (MLR) method to develop simple predictive models which acted as preventive tools capable of alerting about potential increases of THMs within the water network.
Malnutrition on the rise. As political solutions to the crisis are not forthcoming, malnutrition is rising amid increasing food prices and a lack of humanitarian supplies. A catastrophic malnutrition crisis is taking place in North Darfur's Zamzam camp, and MSF's inpatient therapeutic feeding centers in other parts of Darfur including El Geneina, Nyala, and Rokero are full of patients.