5. Promoting the use of treated wastewater: It is estimated that the projected
wastewater from India’s towns and cities may cross 120,000 million liters per
day (MLD) by 2051 and that rural India will also generate not less than 50,000
MLD in view of water supply designs for rural areas. While our current
wastewater treatment capacity is less than 30%, there is a possibility of this
figure increasing given the thrust on wastewater treatment infrastructure by the
government in the past few years. While we take measures to increase the
treatment capacity, it is important that the government gives attention to promote measures that enable to use treated wastewater for irrigation and
non-potable use for our cities (horticulture and dust suppression) and industries
(can be used for dust suppression and greening).
In addition, to reduce the burden on freshwater sources, the option of dual water
system is being worked out in several parts of the country. The success of this
system lies in the fact that filtered purified water is used only for drinking
purposes while other sources of water may be used for purposes other than
drinking. This is also a cost-saving measure as resources spent on providing
clean water are saved by using alternate sources.
6. Promoting community involvement through water literacy: Currently, there is
little public pressure on addressing water pollution issues. Addressing water
quality issues will not be possible without involving the community at large,
including those who ‘pollute.’ Curriculum also does not address the issue. There
is thus a need to engage the people through water literacy drives so that there is
pressure to change the status quo.
But first, the problem will need to be acknowledged. This in itself will be a big
step in the right direction. All this, of course, will only be possible if there is
strong and committed political leadership.
The issue of water quality has now reached dangerous levels and needs a
completely new perspective to address it. Water poisoning needs to be addressed on
a war footing and will require a mix of technological, financial, institutional and
social measures. This will include rethinking development, adopting preventive
approaches, polluter pays principle and giving a careful thought and a time-bound
plan on how these are going to be addressed in the long run.
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I. Khurana and R. Sen
wastewater from India’s towns and cities may cross 120,000 million liters per
day (MLD) by 2051 and that rural India will also generate not less than 50,000
MLD in view of water supply designs for rural areas. While our current
wastewater treatment capacity is less than 30%, there is a possibility of this
figure increasing given the thrust on wastewater treatment infrastructure by the
government in the past few years. While we take measures to increase the
treatment capacity, it is important that the government gives attention to promote measures that enable to use treated wastewater for irrigation and
non-potable use for our cities (horticulture and dust suppression) and industries
(can be used for dust suppression and greening).
In addition, to reduce the burden on freshwater sources, the option of dual water
system is being worked out in several parts of the country. The success of this
system lies in the fact that filtered purified water is used only for drinking
purposes while other sources of water may be used for purposes other than
drinking. This is also a cost-saving measure as resources spent on providing
clean water are saved by using alternate sources.
6. Promoting community involvement through water literacy: Currently, there is
little public pressure on addressing water pollution issues. Addressing water
quality issues will not be possible without involving the community at large,
including those who ‘pollute.’ Curriculum also does not address the issue. There
is thus a need to engage the people through water literacy drives so that there is
pressure to change the status quo.
But first, the problem will need to be acknowledged. This in itself will be a big
step in the right direction. All this, of course, will only be possible if there is
strong and committed political leadership.
The issue of water quality has now reached dangerous levels and needs a
completely new perspective to address it. Water poisoning needs to be addressed on
a war footing and will require a mix of technological, financial, institutional and
social measures. This will include rethinking development, adopting preventive
approaches, polluter pays principle and giving a careful thought and a time-bound
plan on how these are going to be addressed in the long run.
96
I. Khurana and R. Sen