National Seminar of Technical Experts in

Rural Water Supply & Sanitation

25th July 2008

Issues on Rural Water Supply in India

A.Bhattacharyya

Joint Secretary

Department of Drinking Water Supply

WaterWater»Builder

»Purifier

»Diluter

»Divider

Catch every drop of water that is falling on Earth

Traditionally rural water supply systems are based on ground water Traditionally rural water supply systems are based on ground water sources (more than 85%)sources (more than 85%)

About 85% of the ground water sources are drawn for irrigation and About 85% of the ground water sources are drawn for irrigation and rural drinking water draws hardly 3%rural drinking water draws hardly 3%

Ground water development in Delhi, Haryana, Punjab & Rajasthan Ground water development in Delhi, Haryana, Punjab & Rajasthan is more than 100% and in States of Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu is more than 100% and in States of Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh it is more than 70%. (CGWB report 2006)and Uttar Pradesh it is more than 70%. (CGWB report 2006)

Causing imbalance between over-withdrawal of ground water and Causing imbalance between over-withdrawal of ground water and deficit recharge deficit recharge

Resulting permanent fall in the water table every year to the tune of Resulting permanent fall in the water table every year to the tune of 2 -3 meters2 -3 meters

Ground water development in India

Ground Water UsageGround Water Usage

Cleary indicates that drinking water Cleary indicates that drinking water is a very small consumer of both is a very small consumer of both the surface and ground water and the surface and ground water and it is primarily due to extensive and it is primarily due to extensive and indiscriminate use for agriculture . indiscriminate use for agriculture .

Comprehensive management and Comprehensive management and conjunctive use of both surface conjunctive use of both surface and ground water, incorporating and ground water, incorporating both quality and quantity aspects both quality and quantity aspects of water is largely lackingof water is largely lacking

Source: Earth Treads 2001, World Resources InstituteNote the disparity !

85-90% of surface water sources are tapped by Urban water supply

Map of extent of Ground Water ExploitationMap of extent of Ground Water Exploitation

Andhra Pradesh

Arunachal Pradesh

Assam

Goa

Gujarat

Haryana

Himachal Pradesh

Jammu & Kashmir

Karnataka

Kerala

Maharashtra

Manipur

Meghalaya

Mizoram

Nagaland

O rissa

Punjab

Rajasthan

Sikkim

Tamil Nadu

TripuraWest Bengal

Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Chandigarh U.T.

Dadra & Nagar HaveliDaman & Diu

Delhi

Lakshadweep U.T.

Pondicherry

Bihar

Chhattisgarh

JharkhandMadhya Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh

Uttaranchal

Heavy extraction of groundwater, especially for irrigation – groundwater levels in many districts have fallen by more than 4 meters (@ > 20 cm/year) during 1981-2000.

15% of the blocks fall under dark/grey/over-exploited area

Source: CGWB

Caution :

Excess withdrawals cause ingress of chemical contaminants

Fresh Water AvailabilityFresh Water Availability

Utilizable water resource in Brahmaputra valley is Utilizable water resource in Brahmaputra valley is 18,417 cu.m. and in the Sabarmati Basin it is as low as 18,417 cu.m. and in the Sabarmati Basin it is as low as 180 cu.m. Rajasthan has 8% of population with 1% of 180 cu.m. Rajasthan has 8% of population with 1% of country’s water resource and Bihar has 10% of country’s water resource and Bihar has 10% of population with 5% water resourcepopulation with 5% water resource

Rapid urbanization (2025 -more than 50% urban Rapid urbanization (2025 -more than 50% urban population and by 2050 population to reach1.64 population and by 2050 population to reach1.64 billion), food security (1.13 billion), phenomenal billion), food security (1.13 billion), phenomenal industrial growth and ever increasing population industrial growth and ever increasing population growth has witnessed extensive development of water growth has witnessed extensive development of water resources.resources.

Irrigation potential increased from 23 million hectares Irrigation potential increased from 23 million hectares in 1951, since attaining independence to about 100 in 1951, since attaining independence to about 100 million hectares now. The production of food grains million hectares now. The production of food grains has increased from around 50 million tonnes in the has increased from around 50 million tonnes in the fifties to about 200 million tonnes. Would need 450 fifties to about 200 million tonnes. Would need 450 million tonnes by the year 2050 A.D. million tonnes by the year 2050 A.D.

India’s finite and fragile water resources are stressed, India’s finite and fragile water resources are stressed, while sectoral demands are increasing. while sectoral demands are increasing.

Per capita water availability has been falling Per capita water availability has been falling drastically from 5,000 cubic meters per year in 1947 to drastically from 5,000 cubic meters per year in 1947 to about 2000 cubic meters per year at present and may about 2000 cubic meters per year at present and may decline to 1000 cubic meters per year in 2050decline to 1000 cubic meters per year in 2050

Spring fed lined pond for Rainwater harvesting

Annual Per Capita Annual Per Capita AvailabilityAvailability

1,500

1,600

1,700

1,800

1,900

2,000

2,100

2,200

2,300

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

Precipitation : 4,000 km3

Adequate Water

Water Scarcity

Where are we leading to ?

Deteriorating Ground Water QualityDeteriorating Ground Water Quality

Over-drawal and extensive use of pesticides and insecticides Over-drawal and extensive use of pesticides and insecticides for irrigation have made the sources un-potable in many area; for irrigation have made the sources un-potable in many area; excess nitrate in 19387 habitations in 10 states( Rajasthan-excess nitrate in 19387 habitations in 10 states( Rajasthan-7693, Karnataka-4077; Maharashtra-4552)7693, Karnataka-4077; Maharashtra-4552)

In costal areas saline water intrusion resulted in contamination In costal areas saline water intrusion resulted in contamination of the potable ground water aquifers; 12425 habitations in 15 of the potable ground water aquifers; 12425 habitations in 15 States (Rajasthan-4428)States (Rajasthan-4428)

Presence of high concentration of arsenic and fluoride in Presence of high concentration of arsenic and fluoride in ground water based drinking water sources is attributed to ground water based drinking water sources is attributed to anthropogenic and geogenic.anthropogenic and geogenic.

Studies in West Bengal show that arsenic in ground water is Studies in West Bengal show that arsenic in ground water is primarily due to leaching of arsenic bearing soil, which is primarily due to leaching of arsenic bearing soil, which is geogenic in naturegeogenic in nature

Fluoride contamination affects people in more than 29030 Fluoride contamination affects people in more than 29030 habitations in 17 States and excess arsenic in 7067 habitations habitations in 17 States and excess arsenic in 7067 habitations in 5 States.in 5 States.

Excess iron present in 104,477 habitations in 24 States(Assam-Excess iron present in 104,477 habitations in 24 States(Assam-23,841; Bihar-21,540; Orissa -26,136)23,841; Bihar-21,540; Orissa -26,136)

Water quality affected habitations as on 01.04.2006Water quality affected habitations as on 01.04.2006

29030

7067

12425

104477

19387 23427

0

20000

40000

60000

80000

100000

120000

140000

Fluoride Arsenic Salinity Iron Nitrate Others

Total No. of Quality Affected Habitations - 195813

Increasing investment trend in RWS SectorIncreasing investment trend in RWS Sector

3 33 111 353.1 858.273,327.57

7,730.31

18,739.56

37,404.16

68,646.12

0

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

30000

35000

40000

45000

1st 3rd 5th 7th 9th

In

ve

stm

nt (

Rs. in

cro

re)

Plan

10th

State Government investments were higher than the Central Govt. investments till the XI Plan period.

THE CURRENT SITUTATION – RWS SECTORTHE CURRENT SITUTATION – RWS SECTOR

Water Source ProblemsWater Source Problems High dependence on ground water High dependence on ground water

(85%)(85%) Over extraction of ground water for Over extraction of ground water for

irrigationirrigation Uncontrolled deforestationUncontrolled deforestation Neglect of traditional practices and Neglect of traditional practices and

systems, including rain water systems, including rain water harvestingharvesting

Inadequate integrated water Inadequate integrated water management and watershed management and watershed developmentdevelopment

Emerging water quality problemsEmerging water quality problems

THE CURRENT SITUTATION – RWS SECTOR THE CURRENT SITUTATION – RWS SECTOR CONTINUEDCONTINUED

MANAGEMENT PROBLEMMANAGEMENT PROBLEM SECTOR SUFFERS FROM GENERAL VICIOUS CIRCLE SECTOR SUFFERS FROM GENERAL VICIOUS CIRCLE

SYNDROMESYNDROME ADHOC APPROACH ADOPTED IN DEVELOPMENT OF ADHOC APPROACH ADOPTED IN DEVELOPMENT OF

PROJECTSPROJECTS EMPHASIS ON PHYSICAL COVERAGE ONLYEMPHASIS ON PHYSICAL COVERAGE ONLY INADEQUATE FINANCIAL ALLOCATION AGAINST INADEQUATE FINANCIAL ALLOCATION AGAINST

WORKS UNDERTAKENWORKS UNDERTAKEN LACK OF PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE FUNDLACK OF PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE FUND INEFFICIENT AND BLOATED SERVICE INSTITUTIONSINEFFICIENT AND BLOATED SERVICE INSTITUTIONS LEADING TO GAP BETWEEN ASSETS CREATED AND LEADING TO GAP BETWEEN ASSETS CREATED AND

SERVICE AVAILABLE. OUTLAY OUT PUT GAPSERVICE AVAILABLE. OUTLAY OUT PUT GAP

THE CURRENT SITUTATION – RWS SECTOR THE CURRENT SITUTATION – RWS SECTOR (CONTINUED)(CONTINUED)

UNWILLINGNESS OF USER TO PAY FOR SERVICEUNWILLINGNESS OF USER TO PAY FOR SERVICE UNABLE TO MAINTAIN SERVICES WITHOUT UNABLE TO MAINTAIN SERVICES WITHOUT

EXTENSIVE SUBSIDIESEXTENSIVE SUBSIDIES LACK OF ADEQUATE PRICING LEVELS CHARGED LACK OF ADEQUATE PRICING LEVELS CHARGED

TO CONSUMERS CONTRIBUTES TO THE FINANCIAL TO CONSUMERS CONTRIBUTES TO THE FINANCIAL WEAKNESS OF AGENCYWEAKNESS OF AGENCY

FAILURE TO LEVY RATES PREVENTS EFFICIENT FAILURE TO LEVY RATES PREVENTS EFFICIENT

USE AND CONSERVATION OFUSE AND CONSERVATION OF WATERWATER MINING OF GROUND WATER FOR IRRIGATION MINING OF GROUND WATER FOR IRRIGATION

(FREE POWER TARRIF) RESULTED LARGE NOS OF (FREE POWER TARRIF) RESULTED LARGE NOS OF DW SOURCES DEFUNCT.DW SOURCES DEFUNCT.

Coverage status of Habitations Coverage status of Habitations

Based on 1991-94 survey and revalidation figure of 1996 and Based on 1991-94 survey and revalidation figure of 1996 and subsequent coverage upto 2003 the coverage of rural habitations subsequent coverage upto 2003 the coverage of rural habitations was more than 97%was more than 97%

Fresh survey in 2003 revealed that there are 55,067 habitations that Fresh survey in 2003 revealed that there are 55,067 habitations that

are yet to be covered of the earlier surveyare yet to be covered of the earlier survey

Alarming aspect is that 2.8 lakh habitations which were fully covered Alarming aspect is that 2.8 lakh habitations which were fully covered have become partially covered primarily due to failure of source. have become partially covered primarily due to failure of source. Reassessed figure is 3.31 lakhReassessed figure is 3.31 lakh

2,16,968 habitations have water quality problems2,16,968 habitations have water quality problems

Thus total 6,03,639 habitations are to be covered during Bharat Thus total 6,03,639 habitations are to be covered during Bharat Nirman period (2005-06 to 2008-09)Nirman period (2005-06 to 2008-09)

Action initiated by DDWSAction initiated by DDWS

States are encouraged to take up water recharging structures, States are encouraged to take up water recharging structures, water conservation techniques and rain water harvesting structures water conservation techniques and rain water harvesting structures to ensure sustainability of drinking water sources. Funds are to ensure sustainability of drinking water sources. Funds are provided for the sameprovided for the same

Launched Community Based Water Quality Monitoring and Launched Community Based Water Quality Monitoring and Surveillance Program in which “sanitary inspection” is introduced. Surveillance Program in which “sanitary inspection” is introduced. Districts Laboratories have also been sanctionedDistricts Laboratories have also been sanctioned

Under Sub-Mission program special funds are provided to tackle Under Sub-Mission program special funds are provided to tackle quality affected habitations with major thrust on Arsenic and quality affected habitations with major thrust on Arsenic and FluorideFluoride

Launched CCDU for generating awareness and capacity Launched CCDU for generating awareness and capacity developmentdevelopment

Major emphasis is given to linking with other related activities i.e. Major emphasis is given to linking with other related activities i.e. watershed management, NREGP, prevention of pollution of surface watershed management, NREGP, prevention of pollution of surface & ground water etc. and empowering community in decision making& ground water etc. and empowering community in decision making

Actions neededActions needed Move away from dependency on one source to a Move away from dependency on one source to a

combination of sources combination of sources

Greater emphasis on individual roof-water Greater emphasis on individual roof-water harvesting harvesting

Introduction of regular and systematic collection of Introduction of regular and systematic collection of hydro-meteorological, hydrological and hydro-hydro-meteorological, hydrological and hydro-geological data by all related Departments and geological data by all related Departments and analysis the Data by a single nodal agencyanalysis the Data by a single nodal agency

Supplement by introducing a system for processing Supplement by introducing a system for processing qualitative and quantitative information for all types qualitative and quantitative information for all types of water bodies.of water bodies.

Project future sector-wise demand including quality Project future sector-wise demand including quality and type of user and develop National Water Master and type of user and develop National Water Master Plan for short and long term perspective.Plan for short and long term perspective.

Demand for water for different purposes should be Demand for water for different purposes should be estimated at different periods of time in conformity estimated at different periods of time in conformity with respective State goalwith respective State goal

The right of individual exploitation of ground water The right of individual exploitation of ground water needs to be restricted both for economic reasons & needs to be restricted both for economic reasons & for equitable distributionfor equitable distribution

Actions needed continued.Actions needed continued.

Strong Scientific inputs based on existing and innovative Strong Scientific inputs based on existing and innovative techniques in water resource development & management at techniques in water resource development & management at the micro and macro level is required.the micro and macro level is required.

Regulation, monitoring and enforcement to prevent over Regulation, monitoring and enforcement to prevent over exploitation and pollution of DW source through public and exploitation and pollution of DW source through public and collective rights on local communities seems essentialcollective rights on local communities seems essential

For mitigation of quality problems steps have been initiated to For mitigation of quality problems steps have been initiated to shift from ground water based to surface water based schemes shift from ground water based to surface water based schemes and also conjunctive use of ground water, surface water & roof-and also conjunctive use of ground water, surface water & roof-water harvesting water harvesting

To bring this holistic approach of “Integrated Water Resource To bring this holistic approach of “Integrated Water Resource Management” there is need a to rope in services of Technical Management” there is need a to rope in services of Technical Experts to assist the State Governments in proper Experts to assist the State Governments in proper implementation of the programme. implementation of the programme.

Thank YouThank You