Improving Water Resources Allocation in Urban India - Report Example

Running Head: Improving Water Resources Allocation in Urban India Improving Water Resources Allocation in Urban India Name Course Institution Date Paragraph1: India megacities are faced with severe water problem of water supply. The problem is evident especially pertaining to quantity, quality and equity of this resource, in regard to different sections of populations. Scholars have termed this ironical considering that many areas of the cities are always flooded in most time of the years (Amerasinghe et al., 2013, p. 1). Poor long term planning and wastewater management also adds to the problem. This reality can be hardly ignored, especially with the rising demand, which is already exceeding supply of this resource. Despite the water supply from municipal sources, a main part of the urban population still needs a supplement to cater for their daily water requirements. Various attempts have been engaged to curb this crisis, but poor management of the strategies and available water resources result to continuing water problems in the urban areas. Cullet (2012, p. 56) states that, water plays a basic role in a human life, hence should readily available. This is if the current trends are not revised, water crisis will remain an ongoing problem even in the days to come. However, although water crisis in India’s urban areas is widespread, by enhancing and implementing various management methods and strategies, allocation of water resources can be improved. Paragraph 2 The inadequacy of water supply within cities in India is attributed various factors such as urban expansion, economic growth, growth in population, climate change, industrialization and pollution all of which have increased water consumption. Municipal water supply has therefore remained inadequate for the entire population. The increasing number of people in India urban areas through population growth affects water management processes (Jhansi & Mishra, 2013, p.2). Moreover, urban growth through industrialization and movement of people from rural to urban areas raises the demand for water. The rapid urbanization in and economic growth India strains the available practices in management of water. These factors have also increased the consumption of water from the rising number of people in the cities. Industrialization and pollution have affected water supply. Pollutants from industries have affected the quality of water. Extensive use of water for industrial processes also lowers the quantity of this resource that reaches the urban population (Jhansi & Mishra, 2013, p.5). Water scarcity has also been associated with the effects of climate change. The highly evident changes in climatic conditions have caused changes in rainfall pattern and negatively affected other water sources. This means the natural water catchment areas are providing lesser that the expected water. Paragraph 3 There are various strategies that can be used to improve water supplies in urban India. The first strategy that ought to be used is harvesting rain water. According to (Enviroment Agency , 2010, p. 4), rain water harvesting is a collective expression for a wide array of interventions which of collecting and storing of rainfall water. This means rainwater harvesting involves the accumulation of rainwater that is stored and later used in various ways. In this case, water can be treated for drinking or used for purposes that do not need treating of water before use. Uses such as water gardens and car wash that strain municipal water sources in urban areas in India, can be supplemented by rainwater. By so doing demand on urban municipal supplies of water in India is decreased, and drinking water supplies sustainability is increased, hence, reducing the problem of water scarcity. A well utilized rainwater harvesting strategy is therefore, essential to improve and supplement water supply in India, in addition to promotion of and energy conservation (Enviroment Agency , 2010, p. 5). Rainwater is harvested in two ways including; the recharge to groundwater, and where water is stored on the surface and used later (Bhattachary & Rane, 2000, p. 424 ). Though the mainly known way of harvesting of rainwater is via rooftop method, it covers a large array of understanding. These includes the catchment on the surface runoff, storing of rain water in small and big tanks and other artificial reservoirs (Bhattachary & Rane, 2000, p. 4 ) Paragraph 4 Various challenges are associated with harvesting rainwater. The main challenges observed with urban areas are limited space for setting up water collecting systems, the highly populated environment due to industrialized nature of urban areas, causes a low quality of water especially if it is meant for domestic use, and thirdly, the high rates of acquiring land. Shortage of space is also a major challenge in harvesting rainwater. Lack of support in terms of funds for households to install rainwater harvesting system is main challenge (Worm & Hattum, 2006, p. 10). Benefits or harvesting rain water includes the ability to meet the rising need of water in urban areas (Enviroment Agency , 2010, p. 5). It is used in time of drought and scarcity of supply. Moreover, Home and commercial systems for harvesting rainwater relatively easy to install, operate, and maintain (Bhattachary & Rane, 2000, p. 425). These systems capture rainwater runoff, mainly from a rooftop, which stored for later use. Harvesting rainwater improves urban water supply by supplementing the main sources. Additionally, users have control over own water systems and not relying on others for water supply. Thus local people can be easily trained to make simple constructions for harvesting water (Worm & Hattum, 2006, p.10). Paragraph 5 Water reuse is a principal way of handling water supply problem in urban areas. According to Jhansi and Mishra (2013, p.1), water recycling also referred to as reuse or reclaiming is the use of same water several times before it is released back to the cycle of the natural water system. Recyclying of water is vital for the purpose of supplementing water supplies in towns and for the purpose of conserving sources of freshwater. In this regard, reuse of water is the act of using treated water in various beneficial ways such as irrigation, flushing of the toilet, in the industries, or for ground water recharge. Jhansi and Mishra (2013, p.3), further obseves that for used water to be resued it must be treated to ensure good health and wellbeing of people. This crucial action is confirmed to very minimal in developing countries such as India. As a result, recycled contaminates water bodies and other clean water sources. An effective management of wastewater is therefore necessary to ensure adequate services of sanitation and access to water. Considering that each technology is beneficial and detrimental in own way, the most effective and least harmful is to be applied. Understaning the expectation of growth in population, water must be recycled to cater the rising demand (Jhansi & Mishra 2013, p.3). Paragraph 6 A number challenges are associated with implementing wastewater reuse strategy. Firstly, planners are facing enormous pressure on wastewater treatment due to urbanization and the rapid population growth. India`s growing economy as well rises the discharge of industrial wastewater from various places some of which are not noted by planners (Jhansi & Mishra, 2013, p. 2). Main benefits of recycling water in urban areas in India are that planners will be able to keep up with the pace of population growth and urbanization. These changes come with new demand for drinking and domestic water, which is competing with rural use of water for irrigation. Hence recycling available water will help curb the problem of water supply. Moreover, reuse of water will promote water treatment whether it is for domestic, non-domestic or for discharge to natural cycles. By so doing, water discharged in the natural cycle will be free from contamination. Water reuse ensures proper management of water supply in urban areas. Despite the continued treatment and recycle of water in India, the problem of water supply is ongoing. Amerasinghe et al. (2013, p. 25), states that planners should consider new technologies in treatment of wastewater. Policies on water treatment and reuse should also be reviewed. Paragraph 7 Another major way to improve water supply in urban areas is by observing water right and user based allocation mechanism. Water allocation based on the user ensures it is available for consumption, food production and sanitation. Many countries have therefore treated water as an economic good, and even set up principles to govern its allocation with the rising population growth and enhanced lifestyles in urban areas; competition for water is evidently increasing. Therefore, it is essential that the availabale water resources be given out effeciently (Dinar et al., p. 3). On the other hand, right to water is an essential law that must be embedded and implemented within national and international. In India, despite that the law is in place, it’s now very well implemented, hence the continued problem of water supply in urban areas. As per this right, water is second from air in ensuring human survival. From this perspective, major reforms on policies concerning water must be reviewed, in order to curb water scarcity in urban areas in India (Cullet, 2012, P. 56). Water as an economic good must be handled as a basic human right and treaties addressing it put in place. Paragraph 8 Challenges associated with water allocation mainly revolve around changes within communities. With changes in development, development and change in regard to distribution of resources raises new challenges for water allocation (Cullet, 2012, P. 57). Then main benefit of a user based alloaction is that it considers bothe both equity priciples and efficiency (Dinar et al., p. 3). Having sufficient policies on right to water enhances provision of water for every person in the proper quality and quantity. Also, right to water approach is good because water is termed as a basic need for survival. Thus, the right to water strategy makes sure that governments works towards provision of water to all people. Inventive and affordable methods of water allocation on user based method must be put in place in India. Suitable technologies in water llocation should be applied. These technolgies on the other hand need to be environmental friendly, cheap, effective and easy to operate and maintain. Paragraph 9 Conclusively, although water crisis in India’s urban areas is widespread, by enhancing and implementing various management methods and strategies, allocation of water resources can be improved. India has over the years faced tremendous water crisis in the urban areas owing to high population growth, climate change, urbanization, pollution, industrialization and economic growth. As established in the essay, three main strategies that if well managed and implemented can help improve water supply problem in urban areas India. Harvesting rainwater is a simple method of water collection that conserves environment and energy, in addition to supplementing water supplement. Wastewater treatment and reuse supplement water supply and conserves freshwater sources. Right to water laws and policies should be critically reviewed and implemented. A user allocation technique ensures that water resources are distributed adequately both in quantity and quality and equally. Though associated with various challenges, these challenges can be managed to improve water supply. Previously, India had used many strategies of curbing water problem without success due to poor management. This means that changing the way of management and ensuring right implementation of the resource, the poor water supply trends will change. As a result, allocation of water will be improved and meet the increasing demand in urban areas in India. References Amerasinghe, P. M. (2013). Urban Wastewater and Agricultural Reuse Challenges in India. Colombo: International Water Management Institute. Bhattachary, A. &. (2000). Harvesting Rainwater: Catch Water Where it Falls! Centre for Civil Society. Cullet, P. (2012). Right to water in India – plugging conceptual and practical gaps. The International Journal of Human Rights. Vol 17: Issue 1 , Pages: 56-78,. Dinar, A. R.-D. Water allocation Mechanisms: Principles and Examples. World Bank, Agriculture and Natural Resources Department. Enviroment Agency . (2010). Harvesting rainwater for domestic uses: an information guide. Bristol: Envoroment Agency. Jhansi, S. C. (2013). Wastewater Treatment and Reuse: Sustainability Options. The Journal of Sustainable Development, Vol. 10, Iss. 1 , Pages: 1 – 15. Worm, J. &. (2006). Rainwater harvesting for Domestic Use. Wageningen, Netherlands: Agromisa Foundation and CTA. Read More

Extensive use of water for industrial processes also lowers the quantity of this resource that reaches the urban population (Jhansi & Mishra, 2013, p.5). Water scarcity has also been associated with the effects of climate change. The highly evident changes in climatic conditions have caused changes in rainfall pattern and negatively affected other water sources. This means the natural water catchment areas are providing lesser that the expected water. Paragraph 3 There are various strategies that can be used to improve water supplies in urban India.

The first strategy that ought to be used is harvesting rain water. According to (Enviroment Agency , 2010, p. 4), rain water harvesting is a collective expression for a wide array of interventions which of collecting and storing of rainfall water. This means rainwater harvesting involves the accumulation of rainwater that is stored and later used in various ways. In this case, water can be treated for drinking or used for purposes that do not need treating of water before use. Uses such as water gardens and car wash that strain municipal water sources in urban areas in India, can be supplemented by rainwater.

By so doing demand on urban municipal supplies of water in India is decreased, and drinking water supplies sustainability is increased, hence, reducing the problem of water scarcity. A well utilized rainwater harvesting strategy is therefore, essential to improve and supplement water supply in India, in addition to promotion of and energy conservation (Enviroment Agency , 2010, p. 5). Rainwater is harvested in two ways including; the recharge to groundwater, and where water is stored on the surface and used later (Bhattachary & Rane, 2000, p. 424 ). Though the mainly known way of harvesting of rainwater is via rooftop method, it covers a large array of understanding.

These includes the catchment on the surface runoff, storing of rain water in small and big tanks and other artificial reservoirs (Bhattachary & Rane, 2000, p. 4 ) Paragraph 4 Various challenges are associated with harvesting rainwater. The main challenges observed with urban areas are limited space for setting up water collecting systems, the highly populated environment due to industrialized nature of urban areas, causes a low quality of water especially if it is meant for domestic use, and thirdly, the high rates of acquiring land.

Shortage of space is also a major challenge in harvesting rainwater. Lack of support in terms of funds for households to install rainwater harvesting system is main challenge (Worm & Hattum, 2006, p. 10). Benefits or harvesting rain water includes the ability to meet the rising need of water in urban areas (Enviroment Agency , 2010, p. 5). It is used in time of drought and scarcity of supply. Moreover, Home and commercial systems for harvesting rainwater relatively easy to install, operate, and maintain (Bhattachary & Rane, 2000, p. 425). These systems capture rainwater runoff, mainly from a rooftop, which stored for later use.

Harvesting rainwater improves urban water supply by supplementing the main sources. Additionally, users have control over own water systems and not relying on others for water supply. Thus local people can be easily trained to make simple constructions for harvesting water (Worm & Hattum, 2006, p.10). Paragraph 5 Water reuse is a principal way of handling water supply problem in urban areas. According to Jhansi and Mishra (2013, p.1), water recycling also referred to as reuse or reclaiming is the use of same water several times before it is released back to the cycle of the natural water system.

Recyclying of water is vital for the purpose of supplementing water supplies in towns and for the purpose of conserving sources of freshwater. In this regard, reuse of water is the act of using treated water in various beneficial ways such as irrigation, flushing of the toilet, in the industries, or for ground water recharge. Jhansi and Mishra (2013, p.

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