Water scarcity in India

Water scarcity in India is a critical issue impacting millions, exacerbated by a population that heavily burdens limited freshwater resources, only 4% of the world's supply. Contributing factors include the drying up of rivers, inadequate infrastructure, government oversight, climate change affecting monsoon patterns, and widespread water pollution. Major cities like Chennai experienced significant shortages, leading to business closures and widespread protests over access to clean water. The crisis is further complicated by the emergence of a 'water mafia' exploiting the scarcity for profit. The health and economy of affected populations are at risk, particularly in rural areas where many lack access to safe water. Agriculture suffers immensely, with droughts leading to crop failures, high unemployment, and migration to urban centers, straining city resources. Climate change has resulted in unpredictable monsoon patterns, worsening the scarcity and threatening both human and ecological health.

The economic impact of rising sea levels in India is estimated between US$24 billion and US$36 billion, mainly due to high emissions and the instability of ice sheets, resulting in higher temperatures and a projected constant wet-bulb temperature of 31°C, adversely affecting human life. Infrastructure issues and river pollution, notably the severely polluted Ganges due to untreated sewage and industrial waste, highlight the absence of effective long-term water management plans. Groundwater extraction continues to challenge India, with a significant decline in groundwater levels and a report predicting major cities would run out of groundwater by 2020. Traditional irrigation methods further exacerbate the crisis, causing significant water wastage. India captures only 8% of annual rainfall, leading to inefficient water use and contamination from wastewater, which could otherwise alleviate water demand if treated for reuse. Despite improvements in treatment capacity, only a few states actively implement wastewater reuse policies.

In response to criticisms of government policies on wastewater treatment, the Indian government released the National Framework on Safe Reuse of Treated Water in November 2022, outlining standards and compliance measures for treated water usage, although it faced criticism for vague guidelines. The newly established Jal Shakti Ministry aims to enhance water use efficiency by 20% through various reforms, integrating multiple water management departments. Despite past efforts like the Ganga Action Plan launched in 1985, significant pollution issues persist in the Ganges, prompting the government to announce new projects for river cleanliness. Non-governmental organizations play a crucial role in addressing water scarcity and raising awareness, with initiatives focusing on water conservation and establishing sustainable water resources in rural areas. The Jal Bhagirathi Foundation, for example, has revived many water harvesting structures in Rajasthan, improving water availability and awareness in local communities.

Rainwater harvesting is an innovative method for collecting rainwater to recharge underground water, with initiatives in Bangalore aiming to create one million recharging wells. Coastal reservoirs provide low-cost fresh water storage near river deltas, addressing water needs without land acquisition. Desalination, especially in coastal regions like Chennai, treats seawater for drinking water. Drip irrigation, promoted by the Indian Agriculture Institute, enhances water efficiency in agriculture, with significant growth from 40 hectares in the 1960s to 351,000 hectares currently. The 2019 Chennai water crisis highlighted severe shortages, leading to drastic supply cuts and reliance on water delivery systems.