4.1.6. Emerging Water Problems

The per capita availability of water is dwindling day-by-day due to increase in population. The available water resources are also getting polluted with industrial, agricultural and domestic effluents, and this, in turn, is further limiting the availability of usable water resources.

As the population grows, the amount of water available for each person (per capita availability) decreases. This means that there is less water for farming, drinking, and other uses for each individual. Additionally, pollution from industries, agriculture, and homes is making the water that we have less usable because it becomes contaminated. When water is polluted, it's not safe to drink or use, which poses a serious problem.

Imagine a glass of water that becomes dirty when you add various things like soil, sugar, and salt. Each contamination makes the water harder to drink and use. Similarly, as more people contribute pollutants to our rivers and lakes, the water becomes less suitable for general use.

Intensive irrigation in Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh is increasing salinity in the soil and depletion of groundwater irrigation. Discuss its likely impacts on agriculture.

Intensive irrigation means using a lot of water to water crops, which helps them grow, but it can also have negative effects. In regions like Punjab and Haryana, using too much water leads to salinity, which is when salt builds up in the soil. When there is too much salt in the soil, plants struggle to absorb water and nutrients, which affects crop yields and makes it harder for farmers to grow healthy crops.

Think of a garden where someone over-fertilizes the plants with salt. Instead of helping, the plants start to wilt because of all the salt. Similarly, just as too much salt can harm garden plants, over-irrigating can lead to problems that hurt crops in these regions.

Water quality refers to purity of water, or water without unwanted foreign substances. Water gets polluted by foreign matters, such as micro-organisms, chemicals, industrial and other wastes. Such matters deteriorate the quality of water and render it unfit for human use.

Water quality indicates how clean and safe the water is for drinking and other uses. When water is contaminated by harmful substances, such as chemicals and waste, it becomes dangerous for people and wildlife. Polluted water can cause health issues, as it may contain bacteria or toxins that make people sick.

Consider how you wouldn't drink out of a muddy puddle because you can't see what's in it. The same idea applies to our rivers and lakes; if you can't see the contaminants, the water is likely unsafe. Clean water is essential for health, just like drinking pure water is vital for us.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in collaboration with State Pollution Control Boards has been monitoring water quality of national aquatic resources at 507 stations. The data obtained from these stations show that organic and bacterial contamination continues to be the main source of pollution in rivers.

Government bodies like the Central Pollution Control Board monitor the quality of water in various locations to check for pollution. They have found that a lot of the pollution comes from organic materials and bacteria, which can stem from human waste or runoff from farms. Monitoring is essential to identify polluted areas and take actions to improve water quality.

Think of it like a health check-up for rivers and lakes. Just as a doctor examines your body to check for illnesses, the CPCB examines water bodies to look for problems. By regularly checking the water quality, we can find out where pollution is happening and address these issues.

Since there is a declining availability of freshwater and increasing demand, the need has arisen to conserve and effectively manage this precious life-giving resource for sustainable development.

Because freshwater resources are decreasing while demand is rising, it is vital for governments and communities to work together to conserve water. This can involve practices like reducing waste, recycling water, and protecting natural water sources. Sustainable development means meeting present water needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs.

Consider a shared library where a limited number of books are available. If everyone takes out books without returning them, soon there won't be any left for others. By taking care of the books and sharing them wisely, everyone benefits. Water works the same way; we need to use it wisely to ensure everyone has enough.

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