Building Water Security in a Rapidly Drying India
Context
- An editorial highlights the growing water crisis across Indian cities, from Bengaluru to Mussoorie, driven by a significant June rainfall deficit.
- It advocates localized climate-risk assessments, water reuse, and efficient irrigation practices to strengthen India’s long-term water security amid increasing climate variability.
Facts
- India’s per capita water availability has declined to nearly 1,700 cubic metres per year, placing the country on the threshold of water stress.
- According to UNU-INWEH, a large share of India’s groundwater is either polluted or approaching unsafe levels, while nearly three-fourths of districts experience severe water stress.
- The Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) recommends granular (local-level) climate-risk assessments to improve planning and resilience of water infrastructure.
- The editorial promotes treated wastewater reuse for non-potable purposes:
- Visakhapatnam supplies treated wastewater to industries.
- Thane Municipal Corporation has adopted a scientific approach towards wastewater management.
- It emphasises micro-irrigation (drip and sprinkler systems), with CEEW’s Gujarat study indicating:
- Around 20% reduction in water use,
- Lower irrigation costs,
- A target to expand micro-irrigation to 10 million additional hectares by 2047.
- Recommends the use of smart electricity meters to discourage excessive groundwater extraction by improving energy and water-use efficiency.
Way Forward
- Conduct localized climate-risk assessments for water infrastructure and resource planning.
- Expand treated wastewater reuse to reduce dependence on freshwater resources.
- Promote micro-irrigation to enhance agricultural water-use efficiency.
- Strengthen groundwater demand management through smart metering and regulation.
- Treat water security as a core pillar of economic development, climate resilience and social welfare, rather than merely an infrastructure issue.
Concepts
- Water Stress vs Water Scarcity (Falkenmark Indicator):
- Below 1,700 m³/person/year: Water Stress
- Below 1,000 m³/person/year: Water Scarcity
- Micro-Irrigation: Precision irrigation through drip and sprinkler systems, promoted under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (Per Drop More Crop) to reduce water losses.
- Water Reuse/Recycling: Treatment and reuse of wastewater for non-potable purposes such as industry and irrigation, thereby conserving freshwater resources.
- Groundwater Over-extraction: Unsustainable withdrawal of groundwater leading to depletion of aquifers; India is the world’s largest user of groundwater.
- CEEW (Council on Energy, Environment and Water): A leading public policy research institution focusing on energy, environment, climate change and sustainable development.