2. Minimizing pollution loads: Agricultural pollution will need to be addressed
through minimizing chemical input use and the scaled-up adoption of integrated
pest management and organic farming. Financial instruments will be needed for
this.
Addressing industrial pollution will require shifting from concentration-based
standards to pollution load-based standards. The practice of following of
concentration-based standards in India is unable to keep an effective check on
the polluting industries. Adoption of practices like water treatment, effluent
treatment, wastewater reuse, recycling of treated effluent and waste minimization will lead to effective management of water resources.
39 The industrial units
should mandatorily meet most of their water requirements through technique of
rainwater harvesting. There should be mandatory water recycling percentage
being specified for different industries so that all industries recycle a specific
proportion of the water consumed.
The pollution due to sewage can be addressed through a judicious mix of
centralized and decentralized sewage treatment plants and investment to further
develop, promote and institutionalize decentralized waste water systems.
3. Increase water quality monitoring: There is an urgent need to increase water
quality monitoring stations to get the real-time data on extent of water pollution
and its impact of water quality. A common data grid of the water quality
monitoring sites of various agencies that monitor water quality like the Central
Water Commission, Central Ground Water Board, Central and State Pollution
Control Boards, Water Provisioning Department and Utilities needs to be
integrated so as to provide a robust system of data and information to help water
utilities, citizens and government take measures for addressing pollution and
define management actions.
There should be a central repository of data on water pollution and quality. GIS
can be used for data base management. Data should be shared with all concerned sectors and should also be on the public domain. A mechanism for
incentives and punitive action will help in encouraging establishments who have
taken measures to control water pollution and strengthen their efforts, while
penalties can act as a deterrent.
4. Low-cost technologies for water testing: Most of the times, water quality
measurements involve expensive, sophisticated tools and that are difficult to
operate and maintain, and require substantial expertise in collecting, analyzing
and managing the data. The existing methodology for water quality management
is inadequate to identify the various sources of pollution and contamination of
water. Development and promotion of low-cost technology options that reduce
the cost and time water testing will help in management of water quality
especially during times of natural calamities.
39
CSE (2004).
Tackling Water Quality Issues
95
through minimizing chemical input use and the scaled-up adoption of integrated
pest management and organic farming. Financial instruments will be needed for
this.
Addressing industrial pollution will require shifting from concentration-based
standards to pollution load-based standards. The practice of following of
concentration-based standards in India is unable to keep an effective check on
the polluting industries. Adoption of practices like water treatment, effluent
treatment, wastewater reuse, recycling of treated effluent and waste minimization will lead to effective management of water resources.
39 The industrial units
should mandatorily meet most of their water requirements through technique of
rainwater harvesting. There should be mandatory water recycling percentage
being specified for different industries so that all industries recycle a specific
proportion of the water consumed.
The pollution due to sewage can be addressed through a judicious mix of
centralized and decentralized sewage treatment plants and investment to further
develop, promote and institutionalize decentralized waste water systems.
3. Increase water quality monitoring: There is an urgent need to increase water
quality monitoring stations to get the real-time data on extent of water pollution
and its impact of water quality. A common data grid of the water quality
monitoring sites of various agencies that monitor water quality like the Central
Water Commission, Central Ground Water Board, Central and State Pollution
Control Boards, Water Provisioning Department and Utilities needs to be
integrated so as to provide a robust system of data and information to help water
utilities, citizens and government take measures for addressing pollution and
define management actions.
There should be a central repository of data on water pollution and quality. GIS
can be used for data base management. Data should be shared with all concerned sectors and should also be on the public domain. A mechanism for
incentives and punitive action will help in encouraging establishments who have
taken measures to control water pollution and strengthen their efforts, while
penalties can act as a deterrent.
4. Low-cost technologies for water testing: Most of the times, water quality
measurements involve expensive, sophisticated tools and that are difficult to
operate and maintain, and require substantial expertise in collecting, analyzing
and managing the data. The existing methodology for water quality management
is inadequate to identify the various sources of pollution and contamination of
water. Development and promotion of low-cost technology options that reduce
the cost and time water testing will help in management of water quality
especially during times of natural calamities.
39
CSE (2004).
Tackling Water Quality Issues
95