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India's water crisis escalates: Scarcity & contamination now threaten cities & villages
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Wednesday, 14 August, 2024, 16 : 00 PM [IST]
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Vijender Reddy Muthyala
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Water quality and scarcity are no longer just rural India problems—they’re affecting the whole country. With our growing population, the strain on our already limited water resources is getting worse. While it's often thought of as a problem limited to rural areas, the reality is that even bustling urban metros like Bengaluru are now facing serious challenges with both water quality and scarcity.
It is not just a distant concern but a pressing issue that impacts our people everywhere. Rural areas, long seen as the epicentre of water scarcity, are indeed struggling with severe shortages and contamination. But, the situation in major cities like Bengaluru shows us that the crisis is widespread and not just limited to rural areas.
Bengaluru, once known for its abundant lakes and water resources, is now facing alarming levels of water contamination. Recent reports indicate that around 40% of the city's groundwater is contaminated with pollutants such as nitrates and heavy metals.
But why is this happening? The truth is several factors contribute to the water quality challenges faced in both rural and urban areas:
- Over extraction: Excessive withdrawal of groundwater for agricultural, industrial, and domestic use depletes water levels. This not only leads to scarcity but also increases the concentration of contaminants in the remaining water.
- Climate change: Unpredictable weather patterns, including erratic monsoon seasons and rising temperatures, exacerbate water scarcity. Climate change affects water availability and can lead to the contamination of water sources due to extreme weather changes.
- Infrastructure issues: Inadequate and aging infrastructure often leads to leaks, contamination, and inefficiencies in water supply systems. This affects the quality of water reaching households and increases the risk of waterborne diseases like dysentery, gastroenteritis, and cholera.
- Lack of awareness: Many communities, especially in rural areas, lack knowledge about water purification and why it is important. This lack of awareness can lead to reliance on unsafe water sources and improper water management practices.
One way to tackle this problem is by investing in good water purifiers. They can effectively remove contaminants and provide access to safe drinking water. Selecting a water purifier suited to your water quality and the tap water you get in your household can significantly enhance its effectiveness.
Another important step we should take is educating communities. Awareness campaigns, community workshops, and school programs can empower people with knowledge about the risks of water contamination and the importance of safe practices. This education helps individuals understand the significance of clean water, proper sanitation, and effective water management.
Avoiding unsafe water sources is also essential for maintaining water quality. Relying on questionable sources, such as unregulated plastic water cans and bottles, can pose health risks. This is why it is important to ensure that water comes from trusted and tested sources especially when you have kids and elderly at home. Using safe storage containers and handling water hygienically also helps in keeping it clean, safe, and healthy.
Finally, conserving water is something that should be stressed. This is a no-brainer: Implementing water-saving techniques—like reducing waste, fixing leaks, and using water-efficient appliances—can ease the pressure on existing water supplies. These conservation efforts not only help manage water resources more effectively but also promote overall sustainability.
Because the responsibility to ensure safe drinking water lies with each of us!
(The author is co-founder and CEO at DrinkPrime)
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