India Is Staring At A Looming Water Crisis: Permanent Problem Needs A Permanent Solution

The water crisis in India..!! 

Which Indian city went dry?

Recently we had this news of Chennai gone dry. Practically it is the first Indian city to have experienced this where the level of groundwater has gone so low that the whole valley went dry. Earlier, it was already predicted by various index reports of different organizations. Even the issue is always considered as media hype. Until, now where ground results start reflecting.

Chennai water crisis 2018-19

What’s the exact reality? Is it all media hype? Let’s know about it.

NITI AAYOG released its “water index report” in June 2018 under which they agreed on the potential threat of a water crisis.

Summary of reports:

1. Approximately 2 lakhs individuals die every year because of the unavailability of water.
2. 600 million people face extreme water stress.
3. It is estimated that the current demand will be doubled by the end of 2030.

Hence, it can be seen that there is a huge need to take responsibility. So that the proper precautions can be taken to reduce the consequences of the coming threat.

Depletion and contamination of water resources.

India has two major sources of water resources, one is in the north and the north-eastern Himalayas, and the other one is peninsular that is majorly dependent on monsoon. As long as the monsoon hits they remain enriched.

One of the world banks report in 2012 considers groundwater of India as a critical resource. Currently, more than 60% of the groundwater used for irrigation facilities and 85% of groundwater is used for drinking purposes. If the current trend continues, then in about 20 years, 60% of all India’s aquifers will be in a critical condition.

Somewhere climate change and governments inability to supply water from the river causes an increase in the usage of groundwater.

Although, contamination of available resources is like adding fuel to the current water pollution problem. Hence, it is spreading more quickly. 

In one of NITI Aayog’s report in 2018, India ranks 120 among 122 countries concerning water quality. It considers both the surface and groundwater. As per the recent estimates of NITI Aayog, if the current situation prevails, some of the major 21 cities of a nation will run dry by 2020. Though, the reality check can be seen by the current situation of New Delhi and Chennai.

STEPS THAT CAN BE TAKEN TO CURE THE CURRENT SCENARIO.

Steps that can be taken as an individual:

1)     Reduce your water consumption:

This is the most basic approach that an individual can do at  their own levels to reduce its water consumption was ever possibly he can. Like the use of more bucket instead of running water, fixing of all faucets and pipes for leaks, keep bottles to drink water, etc.

2)     Reuse [grey water and black water]:

After, reduce the best way to converse water is to reuse the already used water. After using the water can be divided into two board category grey water and black water.

GREY WATER is relatively clean wastewater that is collected from different sources like bath, sinks, showers, baths, clothes washing machines or dishwashers.

BLACKWATER is relatively a wastewater and sewage from toilets.

3)  Reuse of greywater:

Usage of waste water from AC outlet.

AC water:
 wastewater from AC outlets can be reused for gardening purpose and many other purposes.
         

Reuse of RO waste water. 

RO filter: 

when RO starts purifying it divides the whole quantity in the ratio of 3:1. Where the 75% water is considered into the grey water category that can be reused and the rest 25% is used for drinking.

Wash machine water, sink and hand wash water:
The water running from these places contains little chemicals though it can be used back for toilets or gardening.

4) Rainwater harvesting: 

individuals can install rainwater harvesting systems at home to store the rainwater and use it in the future.

Steps that a government can take

1) Treating wastewater:

At a national level government can make wastewater treatment plants that will remove contaminants from wastewater and convert it into an effluent that will be returned to the water cycle with fewer effects on the environment.

2) Compulsory rainwater harvesting: 

Some states of India like Tamil Nadu has already made it compulsory in 2001 to implement a rain harvest system at home. Similarly states like Rajasthan practice this as there tradition from ancient times. Hence, healthy practices like this can be implemented at a very vast level.

3) Reviving lakes:

 one of the major initiatives that the govt. can take is to revive the old lakes that were polluted. Restoration of all those lakes will help the environment to get fix again along with the living life.

4) Cloud seeding: 

cloud seeding is a process under which the weather is modified so that the amount or type of precipitation that falls from clouds can be increased. States like Karnataka and Maharashtra have already allotted 91cr and 30cr respectively for the experimentation of the project.

5) Desalination: 

Desalination is the process of pulling out the salt from water to make it drinkable. Projects like this can help to arrange more quantity of quality water.

Hence, above all methods can be adapted to cure water.

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