Source: The post urbanization affecting groundwater has been created, based on the article “Address India’s worsening urban groundwater crisis” published in “Live mint” on 23rd January 2025
UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper3-Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment
Context: The article highlights India’s groundwater crisis, with contamination and over-extraction worsening due to urbanization, fertilizer use, and poor sewage management. It calls for sustainable water management through advanced technologies, decentralized wastewater treatment, rainwater harvesting, and circular water economy initiatives.
For detailed information on India’s Annual Groundwater Quality Report 2024 read this article here
Why is groundwater important?
- Groundwater is a critical source of urban water supply worldwide, supporting nearly half the urban population.
- Aquifers store larger water volumes than artificial reservoirs, ensuring water availability during droughts.
- For example, the Ogallala Aquifer in the US supplied 500 cubic kilometers of water in 40 years, exceeding Egypt’s Lake Nasser.
- Groundwater is often cleaner than surface water, as aquifers naturally protect it from contamination.
- It ensures reliable water supply, especially in regions with limited surface water resources or during periods of irregular rainfall.
How is urbanization affecting groundwater?
- Urbanization is drastically impacting groundwater due to increased water demand and inadequate sewage treatment infrastructure.
- By 2036, India’s urban population is expected to surge to 600 million, intensifying the strain on groundwater resources.
- Urban areas, contributing 70% to India’s GDP, face significant water management challenges.
- Of 712 surveyed districts, 102 are overexploited with groundwater extraction rates exceeding 100%.
- Specifically, urban centers in Punjab, Delhi, Haryana, and Karnataka are experiencing nearly depleted groundwater levels, highlighting the critical need for improved water management and conservation practices.
What are the main causes of groundwater contamination?
- Excessive Fertilizer Use: Leads to nitrate contamination; 20% of groundwater samples in India have nitrate levels exceeding 45 mg/l, with some districts over 40%.
- Poor Waste Management: Urban areas lack sewage treatment, as in 2021, only 31,841 MLD of sewage was treated out of 72,368 MLD generated.
- Arsenic Contamination: Severe in states like West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Assam.
- Fluoride Pollution: Found in over 9% of groundwater samples.
- Urbanization Impact: Impervious surfaces hinder recharge, and untreated sewage pollutes rivers and aquifers.
What solutions can improve groundwater management?
- Circular water economy:
- Use decentralized wastewater treatment systems at community levels.
- Reclaim water for non-drinking purposes and extract nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus.
- Technology-driven solutions:
- IoT sensors and AI can monitor water quality and predict contamination trends.
- These tools can streamline water distribution and improve wastewater treatment.
- Rainwater harvesting and aquifer recharge:
- Cities should adopt rainwater harvesting and artificial aquifer recharge to conserve water.
What are India’s existing initiatives for water conservation?
- The Jal Shakti Abhiyan focuses on rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge.
- The AMRUT 2.0 programme promotes effective urban water management.
- Unified and Model Building Bye Laws prioritize water conservation in urban planning.
For detailed information on Groundwater Use and Governance in India read this article here
How can India ensure water sustainability?
- India should scale up localized strategies like decentralized treatment and rainwater harvesting.
- Regular monitoring and advanced technologies will enhance the impact of existing initiatives.
- By adopting innovative solutions, cities can secure safe groundwater and long-term water sustainability.
Question for practice:
Examine the impact of urbanization on groundwater resources in India and suggest sustainable solutions for addressing the challenges.
