Tag: neerain rain water filter

Salinity, fluoride, iron, and lead levels high in A’bad groundwater

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Ahmedabad : Data from the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti shows that more than half of Gujarat districts are affected by salinity, fluorides, and nitrites in their groundwater. Ahmedabad district is afflicted by five of the six issues flagged by the Union ministry, according to a response by Ashwini Kumar Choubey, MoS (environment, forests, and climate change), in response to a question by Rajya Sabha member Parimal Nathwani. Groundwater in Ahmedabad was found to have excessive levels of salinity, fluoride, nitrate, iron, and lead, the data shows. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCBP) using National Water Quality Monitoring Programme (NWMP) data for 2023 including data from 88 monitoring wells in Gujarat stated that73 of these wells were monitored in 2023 and the water in 52 of them were found to have fluoride content within safe limits, while the other 21 were ‘non-complying’. The data shows that of the 33 districts in Gujarat, 28 have relatively high salinity levels, 30 have high fluoride levels, 32 nitrites, 12 arsenic, 14 iron and one has excessive lead. While salinity renders water hard to use for drinking and irrigation, the other ions can cause several health issues, experts said. However, the overall trend is an improvement in groundwater levels and improved water quality due to availability of surface water via the Narmada canals. Another set of data, shared by Bishweswar Tudu, MoS (Jal Shakti) in response to Keshari Devi Patel in the Lok Sabha, shows that 51 ‘assessment units’ or wells in Gujarat fall in the OCS(overexploited, critical and semi-critical) categories. The data shows that Mehsana district had the most such assessment units, 10, and the district is among 30 in India that had 10 or more such units. It was followed by Banaskantha with 9 units.

Photo Courtesy : Times Of India

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Author : Parth Shashtri

Published On : 13 Feb, 2023

 

Rainwater harvesting a lifeline for 900 families

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Photo Courtesy : The Hindu

UDAIPUR: Capturing rainwater is the most sustainable solution to deal with water scarcity in Rajasthan and specially when the technique is the traditional wisdom of the desert state.
According to Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), out of 243 blocks in Rajasthan, 196 fall in the critical zone. This means that in these regions, the annual withdrawal of water from underground is more than what falls as rain. There is growing imbalance between demand and supply of water in the state.

As per international standards, availability of water below 500 cubic meter is considered as absolute water scarcity. The annual per capita availability of water in the state is expected to go down to 439 m3 by 2050 which was 840 m3 in 2001 and against the national average of 1,140 m3 by 2050. Wells for India, (WI) a UK-based NGO which have been working for three decades for the water cause, has helped people to deal with water scarcity through rainwater capturing techniques. WI with its partner GRAVIS, another NGO helped construction and repair of 895 taankas in Pabupura cluster in the Phalodi block of Jodhpur district which has ensured water security to 900 families. These Taankas have of 21,000 litre capacity.

Now 900 families have water source at their doorstep for a period varying from 9 to 12 months. “The intervention has helped women in saving time, money and labour. Their working hours have reduced from 18 to 15 hours and now they can relax for around nine hours a day as compared six hours in the past. The increased water availability for a longer duration has reduced physical workload, mental stress and health related problems of women,” says OP Sharma, country director, WI.

Photo Courtesy : engineering and architecture

Tanka beneficiaries started to take bath and wash clothes more frequently. The water use in washing clothes and taking bath has increased by more than 4 times, whereas the water used by animals has increased by 2.5 times. Moreover, daily cleaning of utensils and water storage pots has substantially increased. Above 70% of the tanka families have started using alum/chlorine tablets to purify their drinking water, whereas more than 80% of the families have started using ladle to take water from the pot. Last but not least, expenditure incurred on water for drinking and domestic purpose including the water for animals reduced from 2 to 3 times.

Similarly in Hilly regions of Bhinder block of Udaipur seen the significant impacton increase in irrigated area on account of mainly ground water / well rechargedue to construction of small water harvesting works such as loose stone checkdams, masonry dams etc. Prior to construction of these structures the totalirrigated area under the command of these 39 existing wells (i.e in 2004) was only 23 hectare, which has now been (up to Rabi 2016 ) increased to 80 hectare. Irrigated area is showing the significant impact of these small water harvesting works on increasing the availability of water.

NeeRain is proud to republish this blog to spread awareness about the situation of water, for our stakeholders. Credit whatsoever goes to the Author.

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Times Of India

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Author : Times Of India

Published On : 22 Mar, 2017

Recharge Before Groundwater Depletes

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Photo Courtesy : The Interview World

NeeRain, an innovation-oriented startup, tackles the groundwater crisis through the use of local, decentralized rooftop rainwater filters. These filters empower individuals to lead water-secure lives. Furthermore, the startup holds patents for a range of rooftop rainwater filters that are both easy to use and cost-effective. Their goal is to harvest rooftop rainwater in every habitat.

Through extensive research, NeeRain’s team has achieved a technological breakthrough in rooftop rainwater filters. This advancement is bringing joy to millions of people worldwide by providing a sustainable solution to water scarcity.

As a young startup, NeeRain focuses on the cause of rooftop rainwater harvesting. They believe that the populace receives rooftop rainwater freely. However, much of it goes to waste. On this concept, NeeRain offers patented technologies to capture every drop of rainwater, allowing it in daily activities or diverting to recharge groundwater sources.

In an exclusive interaction with The Interview World, Naishal Shah, Co-founder and CEO of NeeRain Pvt. Ltd., emphasizes the startup’s mission to combat groundwater depletion. The company aims to achieve this by offering an affordable system to capture and redirect rainwater to aquifers. Here are key excerpts from his insightful interaction.

Q: What features does your rainwater harvesting system incorporate, and how does it contribute to the overall groundwater sustainability?

A: Rainwater is freely available during monsoon. However, the water we receive goes down to drains. Here, we provide a technology that enables people efficiently filter the rainwater and direct it towards the borewell or tank, eventually recharging groundwater. Our advanced technology employs a two-stage water filtration system. Once filtered, all the water can either enter the borewell or the tank. Remarkably, a 1000-square-foot roof can yield approximately 50,000 to 60,000 litres of water in just one rainy season in places like Delhi and Ahmedabad.

If we shift our focus to regions like Kerala or Mumbai, a 1000-square-foot roof has the potential to provide an impressive 2-3 lakh litres of water in a single rainy season. Currently, a significant portion of this water is either wasted, blocked, or eventually drains into rivers and seas. By implementing a simple filtration process, we can redirect this water directly into the borewell and tank, storing valuable rainwater. Furthermore, channeling rainwater through the borewell contributes to an increase in groundwater levels.

The water filtered through our system is exceptionally clean, and its introduction into the groundwater does not lead to deterioration. Notably, rainwater captured directly does not exhibit hardness or Total Dissolved Solids (TDS). Considering the alarming rise in groundwater depletion, directing rainwater to the groundwater directly presents a practical solution to elevate groundwater levels and address this urgent concern.

Q: What is the cost estimate for implementing a rainwater harvesting unit suitable for a 1000 sq. feet rooftop area?

A: The cost for our rainwater harvesting unit is Rs. 2950. One can complete any additional small and heavy plumbing work within a budget of Rs. 10,000. Our system boasts a lifespan of 10 years, and the maintenance is hassle-free with a simple filter removal and washing process, eliminating any recurring costs. You can easily manage this routine maintenance by hiring your local plumber, as no special technical skills are necessary for setting up our rainwater harvesting unit.

Having filed for a patent in 2018, we successfully obtained approval in 2020. To date, we have already installed over 10,000 units, actively promoting the importance of rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge. We remain committed to spreading this message, encouraging more people to take an interest in sustainable water management. Remarkably, we have received zero complaints about the performance of our products.

Q: Can you provide supporting data or evidence to substantiate the claim that 30 crore liters of water have been saved over the course of the last 2 years?

A: Certainly, all the data is at our disposal, categorized by states and cities based on the deployment of rainwater harvesting units. For instance, in Delhi alone, where we’ve implemented these units, capturing 500 mm of rainfall during a season can result in saving a substantial 50,000 litres of water. We’ve meticulously collected data from households in Delhi, supporting our assertion with accurate figures.

As a result, the harvested rainwater ensures that clean water percolates into the ground, safeguarding water quality and preventing contamination in the process. This approach aligns with our commitment to sustainable water management.

Q: What underlying technology powers your system?

A: Our system operates based on gravity, eliminating the need for electric power or any additional mechanical devices. The system incorporates two-stage filters: a 400-micron net for the initial stage and a 200-micron net for the second stage. In the first stage, larger particulates are filtered, followed by the filtration of smaller particulates in the second stage. This sequential process ensures that the water entering the ground is thoroughly purified. As a result, your water resource remains untainted, and rainwater is effectively conserved.

Photo Courtesy : The Interview World

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The Interview World

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Publish On: 23, January, 2024

Rainwater Harvesting: A Viable Means To Prevent Water Crisis

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“Water, water, every where, / Nor any drop to drink”

These all too familiar lines from the poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge seem to be ringing too close to home as water becomes an increasingly scarce resource with every passing day.

Water Crisis was ranked as the #5 Global Risk in terms of impact on society by the World Economic Forum in January 2020, making it an alarming issue requiring an earnest redressal. What is interesting is that it is not really about scarcity, but rather proper water management. To quote the World Water Council, “There is a water crisis today. But the crisis is not about having too little water to satisfy our needs. The crisis is managing water so badly that billions of people — and the environment — suffer badly.”1

For sustainability, a healthy relationship between natural cycles and the available natural resources is a must. To further this objective and protect the existing reservoirs, rivers, aquifers, and ecosystems from further destruction, one needs to harness the largest and most accessible resource currently going down the drain: Rain.

What is noteworthy is that harnessing rain neither requires no energy nor any natural resource; on the contrary, it helps preserve the much-needed fast depleting resource: Water.

Rainwater harvesting is an ancient concept that is simple to implement and scalable. Simply put, it is the act of collecting rainwater and storing it for later use.

Rainwater harvesting systems have many an avatar, from the basic rain barrels to collect rainwater to more intricate structures with pumps, tanks, and purification systems.

Rainwater collected through any system is fit for reuse. Without filtration and purification, it finds use in most functions minus consumption — e.g., flushing toilets, washing cars, irrigation etc. Once put through the purification process, it is fit for consumption as well.

In urban areas, the rain falls on roofs, buildings, roads, and other impenetrable hard surfaces, resulting in urban flooding giving rise to another set of challenges. This makes rainwater harvesting even more essential and advantageous. Urban flooding on one hand, and increasing water shortage on the other, is the driving force behind government norms to inculcate the culture of rainwater harvesting in more and more cities.

Let us take the case of Mexico City as an example. It is a city with one of the highest demands for water in the world. Today it is plagued by drying aquifers, the city to sink to the earth by 50 centimeters per year. Today it is estimated that while a large volume is lost every way on account of leaking water pipes across the water management system, heavy rains cause heavy flooding that leaves substantial damage behind every occurrence.2 Researchers confirm that if the city was to adopt an effective rainwater harvesting system, 60 percent of the city’s water needs could be met.3 In light of this, Isla Urbana, a local non-profit, has installed 20,399 rainwater harvesting systems from 2009 to date. The systems have recorded a harvest of 815 million liters annually.4 Mexico City’s water authority, SACMEX, has also installed rainwater harvesting systems in 85 schools in the Tlalpan and Alvaro Obregón boroughs.

Likewise, India — a country that can collect up to 1,000 liters of water or even more during the heavy monsoons — has shown a similar response. In the southern state of Kerala, the government has recently constructed around 87,000 rainwater harvesting pits across schools, offices, and residences,5 with the expectation of these pits to last up to five years, with minimum maintenance.

Following the trend, Singapore installed a rainwater harvesting system on the roof of a 15-story skyscraper. The system diverts the rainwater collected on the roof to two rainwater tanks. This water is supplied to the building’s toilets, with no processing or treatment — a demonstration of how a project like this can be successfully implemented in metropolitan cities such as New York with countless high-rises to cater to their equally high water demands (981 million gallons consumption per day, as of 20206).

But New York is hardly a city to miss out on the ongoing trends. NYC’s Department of Environmental Protection recently initiated a Rain Barrel Giveaway Program as part of their $2.4 billion Green Infrastructure Plan. Its objective is to encourage citizens to capture stormwater before it flows into the sewer system. The intention being to reduce sewer overflows into local waterways by 2030.

 

Photo courtesy:India Mart

The world is slowly but surely waking up to the fact that rainwater harvesting systems need to be an essential part of the infrastructure. Irrespective of the intricacies, all rainwater harvesting systems require five fundamental components:

Catchment – The surface to collect rainwater. It could be a rooftop, a paved flooring surface, or a landscaped region. The volume of water you harvest is a function of the surface area of the catchment.

Gutters and conduit Pipes – They are responsible for directing the water to the storage tank. The most widely used materials for these are half-round pipes made of galvanized iron (GI), steel, aluminum, and uPVC, with GI, steel, and aluminum being the preferred options. Lead and other metal gutters (GI and steel) are not a wise choice for potable water systems. The slightly acidic quality of rain can dissolve lead and other heavy metal contained in gutter solders, contaminating the water supply.

The safest option to get the most usable rainwater is uPVC Pipes. They deliver faithfully on the promise of:

  • water with no harmful metals lacing it;
  • no leakages on account of corrosion over the years;
  • their almost frictionless surface allows for the maximum quantity of water to flow to the storage system;
  • their lighter weight allows for installation virtually anywhere.

Filters and first flush devices – Investing in the correct filtration device is a must. The filtration system should be one that can effectively remove harmful and polluting contaminants. A first flush valve flushes out the first spell of rain, which carries relatively more toxins from the catchment surface and air.

Storage tanks – An important component of the system. Depending on the space availability, they can be overhead, underground, or stacked. Common materials used for these tanks are poly, galvanized steel, and concrete. If the tank is above ground, measures to prevent algae growth will be needed.

Delivery systems – Piping systems that deliver the stored and filtered rainwater until the point of use. The material of pipes used for this purpose is the same as that of conduit pipes. uPVC pipes present the best option to deliver quality water consistently over the years. With 50+ years of life, no rust, no

corrosion, no heavy metals, and an almost frictionless surface, they offer a perfect solution. High-quality uPVC pipes assure you of a leak-free, durable, and minimal maintenance delivery system.

While building a rainwater harvesting system or incorporating it in a facility, it is crucial to be careful while choosing the components for the solution. It is crucial to pick the right materials. The choice at this stage will define the efficacy of the solution and yield the desired results. Rainwater harvesting, if done right, can help the world tide over the water crisis, allowing us to leave a more beautiful world for your future generations.

Neerain is proud to republish this article for spreading awareness about situation of water, for our stakeholders. Credit whatsoever goes to the Author.

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Water Online

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Author :  Saumya Jain
Published On: June 29, 2021

Making India water-secure: Solutions for the future

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Photo courtesy: Indiamart

‘Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink’ – this predicament of the sailors in Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s famous poem is a portent to our collective futures; one with little to no access to safe water. In 2019, Chennai, a city that receives twice London’s average annual rainfall at 1,400 mm, had to meet its water needs by trucking in 10 million liters of water a day. The 2018 drinking water crisis in ‘Queen of Hills’ Shimla made international headlines when policemen were deployed on the ground to manage water distribution.

The NITI Aayog’s 2018 Composite Water Management Index (CWMI) depicts an unsettling picture of macro-water availability in India – despite being home to 17% of the world’s population, it has only 4% of the world’s freshwater resources. The total water demand in India is projected to increase by 22% and 32% in 2025 and 2050 respectively and, by 2050, 85% of this demand is expected to come from industrial and domestic sectors alone. Among the regions, the south and the northwest  are expected to face the worst in next two years. About two lakh people die every year due to inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene and ~820 million Indians living in twelve river basins across the country have per capita water availability close to or lower than 1000m3, the official threshold for water scarcity as per the Falkenmark Index.

To address this looming water crisis and ensure water security, it is imperative to devise a holistic urban water management system that can help balance biodiversity by protecting and restoring the health of waterways and wetlands, mitigate flood risk and damage, provide for sustainable and resilient communities, promote sustainable development goals (SDGs), and address the needs of the last person in the queue.

Photo courtesy : Ministry of Jal Shakti

Some of the solutions available to this end include:

  1. Rejuvenation / conservation of water bodies: Replenishing and restoring the health of natural water bodies and wetlands is the single-most effective way of securing a safe source of water. Cities, like Bengaluru, have 210 lakes, covering 3,622 acres with a capacity of 35,000 million ft3. Long-term efforts such as Namami Gange are also bearing fruits. However, for more localized solutions, it is important that traditional water storage structures such as vavsand baolis are rejuvenated and maintained.
  2. Rainwater harvesting: India receives bountiful rains – last Monsoon, India received 925 mm rainfall in just four months. A part of the immense potential to create sources of water through rainwater harvesting is being realized – as on February 2, 2023, more than 1.19 million water conservation and rainwater harvesting structures have been constructed across India.
  3. Government initiatives: In the past few years, the progress towards providing piped water supply and last-mile delivery of water has been stupendous. The one-of-its-kind Jal Jeevan Mission supplied tap water to 10.64 crore – 55% – households in rural India until November 2022 and more than 15 lakh women were trained for testing water quality through field test kits.
  4. Digital interventions: Technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and Internet of Things (IoT) can help in flood prediction, rain forecasting, detecting water leakages, treating wastewater and harvesting rainwater. AI tools are capable of analyzing the data from recycling plants and suggesting ways to reduce energy consumption up to 30%, contributing to overall sustainable practices.
  5. Stemming groundwater depletion: Since agriculture utilizes the majority of groundwater, the World Bank has been supporting innovative projects targeted at the agrarian communities. These include Atal Bhujal Yojana, the world’s largest community-led groundwater management program and Paani Bachao, Paisa Kamao in Punjab that resulted in water savings between 6 and 25% without any adverse effect on the yield. With states like West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, Assam and Manipur among others reporting high levels of arsenic in the groundwater, efforts for decontamination would also have to become part of the plan.

There is no doubt that the problem of water scarcity is one of environment, population, governance, health and well-being. Having to walk long distances and stand in long lines every day, 163 million people across the country continue to live without clean water close to their homes and ~0.2 million people die every year due to inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene. The population concentration is disproportionately high in Indian cities, 30 of which, according to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), stare at a grave water risk.

Given the seriousness and complexity of the problem, policymakers must therefore employ systems thinking – an approach that can create an ecosystem for innovation that develops big-picture perspective, focuses on opportunities in a problem, and fosters adaptation amid rapidly-evolving environments. There is no doubt that greater involvement of communities can heavily alter the outcome of urban water management solutions. At the same time, funding such programs can meet a roadblock, especially in the wake of the devastating impacts of the pandemic. Therefore, fostering public-private partnerships (PPP) that can work by engaging communities, funders, corporate stakeholders and creating awareness will play a critical role in achieving the goal ahead.

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Author : Dr Nidhi Pundhir

Published On: March 28, 2023, 2:23 PM

India’s clock is ticking: Water Crisis

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Photo courtesy:Deposit

With 139 crore population, water scarcity in India is on the rise. More than 50% of the population does not have access to safe drinking water and about 2,00,000 people die every year due to either water scarcity or because of diseases caused due to drinking unhygienic water. India is currently facing the biggest water crisis. As of June 2019, 65% of the country’s reservoirs were running dry.

In India, more than 600 million people are facing acute water scarcity. About three-quarter of households do not have a drinking water facility. Currently, India ranks 120th among 122 countries in the water quality index. By 2030, India’s water demand is expected to be double that of supply that implies not only water scarcity in India for numerous people but also a loss of around 6 per cent to GDP. This underscores the need for strategic interventions to promote water use efficiency, both at the micro and macro level.

You may not know it, or feel it yet, but every aspect of our society and economy is impacted by this worsening situation. In fact, the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) described it as “the worst water crisis” in India’s history.

Photo courtesy:Istock

Many rural communities who are situated on the outskirts of urban sprawl also have little choice but to drill wells to access groundwater sources due to water scarcity in India. However, any water system adds to the overall depletion of water. There is no easy answer for water scarcity in India which must tap into water sources for food and human sustenance, but India’s overall water availability is running dry.

India needs solutions now. Children in 100 million homes in the country lack water and one out of every two children are malnourished. Environmental justice needs to be restored to India so that families can raise their children with dignity, and providing water to communities is one such way to best ensure that chance.

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GO Waterless

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Author:   NITIN SHARAM

Published On:  17/03/2021

10 things you need to know about the water crisis in India

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India is experiencing its worst ever water crisis. How did we get here?

News stories on India’s water crisis start peaking just as summer sets in. Images of wells and taps running dry, conflicts on drinking water, tankers being mobbed, parched earth, and failed crops dominate our news cycle. What’s missing in mainstream reporting is a comprehensive and informed understanding of what makes India’s water footprint both unique and challenging.

What underlies India’s insatiable thirst for water?

  1. India has a serious water problem

The 2030 Water Resources Group estimates that if we continue to consume water as per the current rate, India will have only half the water it needs by 2030—a flashpoint that’s only ten years away.

  1. Nearly 80 percent of India’s freshwater is used in agriculture

This is an unusually large water footprint for agriculture. China and South Africa use approximately 64 percent and 62 percent of their renewable freshwater resources for agriculture.

Photo courtesy: Flickr

Groundwater accounts for 90 percent of the drinking water requirements in rural India and nearly 50 percent in urban areas.

  1. Over half of India’s cultivated land is under water-intensive crops

Fifty-four percent of India’s 141.4 million hectares of cultivable land is under water-intensive crops—rice, wheat, sugarcane, and cotton. Farmers are incentivised to grow water-intensive crops as they are eligible for the government’s minimum support price (MSP), which protects them from the risk of fluctuating prices.

  1. India uses at least twice the amount of water to grow one unit of food versus comparable countries

For instance, for every 1000 litres of water, China produces 0.46 kilograms of rice and 1.08 kilograms of cereal. For that amount of water, India produces only 0.23 kilograms of rice and 0.36 kilograms of cereal.

  1. India’s farmers rely mainly on tube wells to extract groundwater for their crops

Despite India’s large dams and canal systems, groundwater accounts for 63 percent of water used for irrigation by farmers; canals account for only 26 percent.

  1. Conservative estimates suggest that India has over 30 million borewells today

Until 1960, Indian farmers accessed a few tens of thousands of mechanical pumps using diesel or electricity to pump water. As of 2009, for every four cultivator households, one owned a tube well and two purchased groundwater from tube well owners. A combination of incentives (such as MSP for water-intensive crops) and subsidies (such as free electricity) have encouraged large-scale extraction of groundwater.

  1. India draws nearly 25 percent of the world’s groundwater

That’s more groundwater than China and the United States combined. India withdraws two times the amount of groundwater compared to China, despite having a similar population size.

Photo courtesy: Indiamart

  1. Sixty percent of India’s districts have been declared critical on groundwater

This means that they either have scarce supply or poor quality of groundwater, or both. This has put 70 percent of rural households who depend on agriculture for their livelihood at risk.

  1. India’s depleting groundwater reserves also impact our drinking water

Groundwater accounts for 90 percent of the drinking water requirements in rural India and nearly 50 percent in urban areas. Excessive extraction has caused contamination. As a result, India is ranked 120 out of 122 countries in the global water quality index.

  1. The country’s water crisis has a significant economic cost

A NITI Aayog report suggests that severe water scarcity will eventually lead to a 6 percent loss in the country’s GDP.

For too long, we’ve taken a supply lens to address issues related to water, within a development paradigm that has focused on building infrastructure, such as dams, canals, minor irrigation structures, and now water pipes. India’s water story starts and ends in her farms. What India needs now is a movement to help her farmers use water judiciously for every unit of food that they grow. This holds the key to a water-secure future for the country and an end to stories of distress that mark each summer.

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Publish On:  IDR
Author: Arpit Jain & Reshma Anand
Published On: March 21, 2020

The water of 37 out of 38 districts of Bihar is not fit for drinking, the government admitted.

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Earlier in Bihar, arsenic, fluoride and iron were confirmed in groundwater in 28 districts, but now the Deputy Chief Minister admitted that the water in 37 districts was no longer fit for drinking.

In Dhamdaha village of Purnia district of Bihar, yellowness is visible near the hand pump due to excess of iron. Whereas this hand pump has been installed by the government to provide iron free water. Photo: Pushya Mitra

Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar Sushil Kumar Modi has informed in one of his speeches that the water of 37 out of 38 districts of Bihar is not fit for drinking. These include contamination with fluoride, arsenic and iron. Despite all the efforts of the government, supply of quality drinking water in 31 thousand wards of the state still remains a challenge. He was addressing the 52nd annual conference of the Indian Water Works Association in the auditorium of NIT Patna on Sunday. This admission of Deputy Chief Minister Modi shows that a large population of the state is still in serious danger due to consuming infected drinking water. With this, the scope of infection has increased, because till just a few years ago only 28 districts of the state were under the scope of drinking water contamination.

Earlier there was infection in 28 districts

However, information is still available on the site of the state Public Health Engineering Department based on the 2009 groundwater quality status report only. Information has been given there that 13 districts of the state are affected by excess of arsenic, 11 fluoride and 9 iron. In some of these districts, there are two types of infections, thus the number of groundwater infected districts is said to be 28. Similarly, there is information about iron contamination in the water of 18673 tolas, fluoride contamination in the water of 4157 tolas and arsenic contamination in the water of 1590 tolas. In this way, groundwater of a total of 24,420 hamlets is reported to be infected.

According to the 2009 report, all the districts situated on the banks of Ganga in the state are under the influence of arsenic contamination. All the districts of South Bihar are fluoride infected and nine districts of East Bihar are at risk of iron infection. Some districts of North-West Bihar were till now said to be free from groundwater contamination. But according to new information, they too may have been infected with iron or arsenic. Yesterday the Deputy Chief Minister informed about the contamination of water in 31 thousand wards of 37 districts of the state.

Infection increased in 6,580 hamlets of nine districts

If this information is considered correct, then in the last ten years the infection has spread in the groundwater of 9 districts and 6,580 hamlets. Continuous efforts were made to get information in this regard from the department officials, but they were not available. According to a report available on the department’s site, the target is to provide pure drinking water in these tolas by March 2020. But how much this can be achieved remains to be seen.

Risk of cancer, fluorosis and gas related diseases

The number of cancer patients is continuously increasing in Bihar due to arsenic contamination in groundwater. It is believed that one in every ten thousand people in an arsenic contaminated area is at risk of becoming a victim of cancer. The number of gall bladder cancer patients has increased rapidly in the last few years in Bihar, and arsenic is being considered a major reason behind this. Last year, a joint research by India and UK revealed that wheat grown in arsenic contaminated areas also poses a risk of cancer.

Similarly, fluorosis patients are seen in abundance in many fluoride infected villages of South Bihar. Their bones start becoming crooked. Gas and related diseases are prevalent in iron infected areas.

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https://www.downtoearth.org.in/hindistory/water/ground-water/37-out-of-38-districts-of-bihar-s-water-is-not-drinkable-government-admitted-68775

 

Author:  Pushya Mitra

Publish On: 13 January 2020

Pune’s Water Crisis: Legal Notices Issued To PMC, PCMCPMRDA; Petitioners Threaten Contempt Petition In High Court

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The bench had gone into the details of the PIL and took note of the grave situation of water scarcity stated in the PIL in context to the urban areas of Pune district. The Bombay high court had taken note of the above information and had directed that a special committee be constituted separately for PMC and PCMC. And such committees shall attend to the complaints of the residents regarding water scarcity. The PMRDA was also directed to address the water problems faced by the residents coming under their jurisdiction.

Pune, 23rd November 2023: the PIL 126/2023 regarding water problem faced by the residents of urban areas of Pune district was last heard by the division bench headed by acting chief justice SV GANGAPURWALA and justice Sandeep Marne at Bombay high court on 10.04.2023.

The committee is to consist of 1) municipal commissioner 2) divisional commissioner 3) chief city engineer 4) member, secretary, district legal services authority. The committee therefore is to consist of people who are involved in the redressal of the water problem faced by the residents of the affected areas.

Where is the special committee? – citizens ask! Contempt of court petition to be filed.

Satya muley – advocate Bombay high court, stated that a notice was sent to the PMC, PCMC and PMRDA in the month of June 2023 requesting for information about formation of such a special committee. However, none of them responded by giving any information about the formation of the committee. Therefore, it is apparent that PMC, PCMC and PMRDA have not formed any such special committee. Therefore, a fresh legal notice has been issued on 22.11.2023 to PMC, PCMC and PMRDA. If we do not receive the information about formation of the special committee, then a contempt of court petition will be filed against all the respective office bearers who are supposed to be the members of the proposed committee.

PMC, PCMC & PMRDA not serious about water problems of the citizens.

In a similar PIL during 2016-17 the Bombay high court had directed the PMC to form a special committee to attend to the complaints of the residents regarding the water scarcity problem. Adv. Satya muley points PMC had formed such a committee in the past, but the committee met only for 4 times during 2017 and 2018, and very surprisingly was dissolved stating the reason that there was no water scarcity problem. He also pointed out that had such a committee been functional, today the grave situation of water scarcity would not have arisen in urban areas of Pune district. Earlier during the hearing of November 29, 2022, and December 15, 2022, the Bombay high court had expressed serious concerns about the issue and also had warned for imposing fine on the respondents for their slow response.

Water scarcity-current scenario

Several housing societies across Pune district are facing severe water shortages and spend huge amounts for purchase of water from private water tanker operators. Each and every neigh Bourhood of urban area of Pune district coming under PMC, PCMC and PMRDA are facing acute water shortage of drinking and domestic use water. As per ministry of housing and urban affairs, 135 Litres per capita per day (LPCD) has been suggested as the benchmark for urban water supply. The situation is so bad that in several areas of Pune residents are not getting even 20 litres of water supply per head per day. Baner- Balewadi, Wagholi, Hinjawadi, Bavdhan, Pashan, Pimpri Chinchwad, Wakad, Mudhwa and many regions of Pune district are facing severe water crunch, and the urban areas are now under the strong grip of private water tanker mafia. As per one estimate the housing societies in Pune district are spending over 300 to 400 crores per month to purchase daily need water from private water tanker operators. Does this figure provide the reason behind the artificial water scarcity in Pune district? People are forced to spend money for water in urban areas of Pune district.

STOP GIVING PERMISSIONS FOR NEW CONSTRUCTIONS

Speaking on behalf of the petitioners, adv Satya muley said, “water is a basic necessity of life, and the current state of water supply situation in urban areas of entire Pune district is pathetic. The PMC, PCMCPMRDA and the Pune Zilla parishad should stop giving permissions for new constructions if they are not able to provide water to the existing residents of Pune district. When a problem is existing and known, then in such a case these authorities do not have right to make the problem bigger. Before giving any fresh permission to any new construction, these authorities must attack and solve the water Scarcity problem on war footing. People are losing their patience if the special committee does not start functioning in next couple of weeks, a contempt petition to prosecute all the authorities shall be filed at Bombay high court. Supply of fresh potable water is a constitutional responsibility of all the local bodies under article 243w of the constitution of India and under the s 63 (20) of Maharashtra municipal corporations act. Article 21 of the constitution of India guarantees right to life, and water means life!”

Heavy dependence on ground water

Pune’s heavy dependence on groundwater proves particularly problematic during Maharashtra’s recurrent seasonal droughts. Groundwater serves as a lifeline for lakhs of citizens during these dry spells. However, local authorities have failed to incorporate this essential basic necessity into their planning frameworks, leading to groundwater depletion and the drying up of most wells and borewells post-monsoon.

The ministry of Jal shakti’s guidelines for urban water conservation outlines measures for cities to:

  • increase rainwater harvesting
  • reuse treated grey water and sewage water
  • Rejuvenate urban water bodies, including step wells, ponds, and lakes.

Regrettably, the only noticeable activity is the rampant construction of new buildings, further increasing the Pune district’s population which will create severe water scarcity. The petitioners hope that the high court directed committees be constituted without delay and that they undertake public hearings where citizens can voice their grievances related to water scarcity. The petitioners expect that the committees take requisite steps to ensure that the citizens are provisioned and supplied their rightful water quota.

“we don’t get corporation supply and our dependence is on private water tankers. We don’t understand how building permissions are given without making basic water supply available”, said Tushar Sarode, resident of sus.

“since 2013 our residential buildings do not get a single drop of water from gram panchayat, zilla parishad or PMRDA. We spend lakhs every month to buy private water tankers, till today green olive apartments must have paid crores to local tanker suppliers. What is shocking is that nobody is bothered in the entire government to solve our problems in spite of more than 10 follow up to each authority every year”, added Amrut Khodke, chairman of green olive apartment Hinjawadi.

The petitioners who issued the legal notice and were the original petitioners in the PIL: wagholi housing societies association, Pune district co-operative housing societies and apartments federation, Akhil Bharatiya Grahak panchayat, Pimpri Chinchwad co-operative housing welfare societies federation ltd., Baner – Pashan link road welfare trust, Balewadi residency co-operative housing welfare federation ltd., dear society welfare association, Bavdhan citizens forum, Hinjawadi employees and residents trust, Aundh Vikas Mandal, and association of Nagar road citizens forum noting the outcry in the residents of all urban areas of Pune district due to water scarcity had filed the water PIL at Bombay high court through Satya muley – advocate the supreme court of India and the Bombay high court.

The following parties were made respondents in the water PIL: 1) union of India, department of water resources 2) central ground water board 3) state of Maharashtra – water resources department 4) Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran 5) Maharashtra water resources regulatory authority 6) Pune municipal corporation 7) Pimpri Chinchwad municipal corporation 8) Pune metropolitan region development authority 9) Zila parishad Pune PIL 126/2022 Satya muley advocate the supreme court & the Bombay high court

Neerain is proud to republish this blog for spreading awareness about situation of water, for our stake holders. Credit whatsoever goes to the Author.

This blog is published by: –

https://www.punekarnews.in/punes-water-crisis-petitioners-threaten-contempt-petition-as-pmc-pcmc-pmrda-stay-silent/

Published on: 23rd November 2023

42 to 79 percent of the world’s groundwater sources will be exhausted by 2050, scientists claim

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In a new study, researchers found that about 20 percent of river basins have already reached their limit, where groundwater extraction from the ground exceeds that of the stream.

Photo: Ankur Paliwal

Groundwater is the most commonly used source of fresh water throughout the world. According to statistics  , about 200 crore people globally today depend on it for their daily needs and irrigation. According to estimates, 20 percent of the world’s population depends on crops irrigated by groundwater. The pressure on these reserves, which are already under pressure to meet the needs of the rapidly growing population and the continuous increase in crop production, is increasing.

Due to the rapid and uncontrolled way in which we are exploiting groundwater, these groundwater sources are depleting rapidly. On the other hand, these groundwater sources are not being recharged by rain and rivers. Analysis of satellite data obtained by NASA has revealed that the water level of 13 of the world’s 37 major groundwater sources has reached the danger mark. The rate of recharge of groundwater there is much less than the rate of its exploitation. The problem of falling groundwater level is becoming more serious in areas where intensive agriculture is done. Also, due to this, the pressure on rivers to supply water to the agricultural sector is increasing day by day. Assessments show that by 2050, its widespread and serious impacts on rivers, lakes and wetlands around the world will become apparent.

To understand this, an international team of researchers has attempted to measure the rate at which existing groundwater is being mixed into rivers and lakes. Which is called flow of current. He has also studied how the exploitation of groundwater for agriculture has affected this process. The researchers found that about 20 percent of river basins have already reached their limit, where groundwater extraction from the ground exceeds that of the stream. This  study  has been published in the international journal Nature.

Scientists have also used climate change models to predict how river flows will decrease in the future. In which they found that 42 to 79 percent of the world’s groundwater sources will be exhausted by 2050. Due to which they will be unable to maintain their ecosystem. Inge de Graaf, chair of environmental and hydrological systems at the University of Freiburg in Germany, explained what devastating effects this could have in the future.

According to the graph, it is very clear that if there is no water in the stream then definitely the plants and animals living there will die. Also, more than half of the crops which depend on groundwater for irrigation will also be destroyed. According to this latest study published in Nature,  in the valleys of Ganga, Indus and Mexico, where dependence on groundwater for crop production is high, river flow is decreasing due to uncontrolled exploitation and as Africa and Southern Europe The demand for groundwater is increasing in the areas where the impact of serious water crisis will be visible in the coming few years.

The situation is serious in India also

Globally, groundwater is exploited the most in India, where 230 cubic kilometers of groundwater is used every year, which is about a quarter of the global use of groundwater. Scientists have estimated  that in North India, which is the main wheat and rice producing region of the country, groundwater is depleting at the rate of 5,400 crore cubic meters per year. A report released by NITI Aayog  had also expressed concern over the continuously decreasing groundwater level. According to him, by the year 2030, the decline in groundwater in the country will take the form of the biggest crisis. By 2020, groundwater in 21 cities including Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad will be on the verge of depletion.

It is noteworthy that to deal with the groundwater crisis, the Modi government had proposed ‘Atal Groundwater Scheme’ in March 2018. Which was to be implemented with the help of the World Bank in a five-year period from 2018-19 to 2022-23. Its goal was to ensure proper and sustainable management of groundwater with everyone’s participation in the seven states of Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, which are facing serious groundwater crisis. But due to lack of Cabinet approval, this scheme has been stuck for the last one and a half years.

How can there be a solution?

Recently, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change had warned in one of its assessments that by 2050 the global population will cross 1,000 crore. It also explained how the threat of global warming can be tackled through proper water management in the agricultural sector. De Graaf noted that many places in the world have achieved success in limiting groundwater use through agricultural techniques, such as in parts of the Mekong Delta in Southeast Asia where water-intensive rice crops were grown as a pilot project. Coconut is being cultivated in place of sugarcane crops.

If we do not wake up today, our future generations will have to face such a groundwater crisis, the effects of which will be no less than a time bomb. Because of the uncontrolled way in which we are exploiting this resource, and due to this the pressure on groundwater sources is increasing. The consequences would be dire as it would take decades to refill these underground water systems.

Neerain is proud to republish this article for spreading awareness about situation of water, for our stakeholders. Credit whatsoever goes to the Author.

This article is published by: –

https://www.downtoearth.org.in/hindistory/water/ground-water/new-study-on-ground-water-resources-67092

 

Author:  Lalit Maurya

Publish On: 04 October 2019