A water crisis In slow motion

Source: The post is based on the article “A water crisis In slow motion” published in “ Business standard” on 15th July 2023.

Syllabus: GS 3 – Disaster management

News: In this article, the author discusses the growing problem of urban water management in India, highlighting issues like rapid urbanization, deteriorating infrastructure, and loss of natural water bodies, which contribute to increased flood disasters.

Why is urban water management a growing concern in India?

Rapid urbanization adds pressure: Over 150 million people have migrated to Indian cities in the past 30 years. This escalates the demand for water in urban areas.

Infrastructure problems: Poor water treatment and sewage disposal capacities struggle to meet this high demand. Delhi and Bengaluru lose 40% and 29% of their water supply, respectively, due to leaks and theft.

Loss of Natural water bodies: Which essential for water supply and drainage, are being drained for construction, exacerbating flood risk.

Climate change: It exacerbates the problem, bringing extreme weather events that challenge already weak municipal infrastructure and urban planning.

Short-term financial priorities: Immediate financial benefits from projects like building construction are often prioritized over sustainable planning. This short-term focus, as seen in the construction of a mall on a drained lake, intensifies long-term flood risks.

Political priorities: Political decisions often favor actions that provide immediate popularity, potentially overlooking sustainable flood management strategies. This can contribute to the intensifying cycle of flood disasters.

What should be done?

Infrastructure improvement: Upgrade the water supply and sewage systems to reduce losses. For example, Delhi could aim to significantly reduce its 40% water loss due to leaks and pilferage.

Enhance water treatment: Improve water treatment and sewage disposal capacity to meet increased urban demand.

Preserve natural water bodies: Prevent draining of lakes, rivers, and canals for construction purposes. For instance, halt practices like the construction of malls on former lake sites in Bengaluru.

Water body restoration: Undertake desilting of canals and rivers, similar to the river cleanups in Europe and the US that took over 20 years but ultimately improved water flow and quality.

Control pollution: Implement strict regulations to stop untreated sewage and industrial effluent from entering water bodies.

Mandatory water harvesting: Make water harvesting systems that can recharge falling water tables mandatory across the country.

Long-term planning: Prioritize sustainable long-term planning over short-term financial gains. Politicians should focus on initiatives with lasting environmental benefits, even if results are not immediate.

Climate change adaptation: Implement strategies to adapt to climate change, such as building resilience against extreme weather events to prevent urban flooding.