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Water Conservation: Strategies and Solutions: January 2016
Water Conservation: Strategies and Solutions: January 2016
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INTRODUCTION
Water, Paani, Jal, Tanni, L’eau, Wasser, Acqua perhaps the most familiar and widely used
word in the world. Water needs no introduction, the importance of this is known to one and all.
However, despite water being the basic human need, this precious resource is being wasted,
polluted and getting depleted. Every drop of water is precious but we continue to waste it like it
is a free natural commodity. 98% of water on this planet is salty and is not fit for human
consumption. Out of the 2% of fresh water reserves, 1% is locked up in form of ice in various
regions around the world. Hence, only 1% of total water reserves are available for our domestic
& industrial use. Many cities in India and around the world are already facing sever water
shortages due to reduced rainfall, man-made climatic changes, reduction in ground water
levels, population explosion, industrialization and staggering amount of water wastages
because of negligence by users & dilapidated water supply systems. The importance of water in
a country’s economic growth should not be undermined.
WATER CONSERVATION
GOALS
The goals of water conservation efforts include:
Sustainability- To ensure availability for future generations, the withdrawal of fresh
water from an ecosystem should not exceed its natural replacement rate.
Energy conservation- Water pumping, delivery, and wastewater treatment facilities
consume a significant amount of energy. In some regions (e.g. California2) of the world
over 15% of total electricity consumption is devoted to water management
Habitat conservation- Minimizing human water use helps to preserve fresh water
habitats for local wildlife and migrating waterfowl, as well as reducing the need to build
new dams and other water diversion infrastructure.
CONSERVATION TECHNOLOGIES
Advantages
1. Provides self-sufficiency to water supply
2. Reduces the cost for pumping of ground water
3. Provides high quality water, soft and low in minerals
4. Improves the quality of ground water through dilution when recharged
5. Reduces soil erosion & flooding in urban areas
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6. The rooftop rainwater harvesting is less expensive & easy to construct, operate and
maintain. In desert, RWH only relief.
7. In saline or coastal areas & Islands, rainwater provides good quality water
For crop irrigation, optimal water efficiency means minimizing losses due to evaporation,
runoff or subsurface drainage. An evaporation pan can be used to determine how much water is
required to irrigate the land. Flood irrigation, the oldest and most common type, is often very
uneven in distribution, as parts of a field may receive excess water in order to deliver sufficient
quantities to other parts. Overhead irrigation, using center-pivot or lateral-moving sprinklers,
gives a much more equal and controlled distribution pattern. Drip irrigation is the most
expensive and least-used type, but offers the best results in delivering water to plant roots with
minimal losses4.
3) Use of Saline Water for Irrigation- Saline water is widely available but rarely used for
agriculture because it restricts plant growth and yield. Salt resistant varieties of crops have also
been developed in recent times.
4) Mulching, i.e., the application of organic or inorganic material such as plant debris,
compost, etc., slows down the surface run-off, improves the soil moisture, reduces evaporation
losses and improves soil fertility.
5) Fog and dew contain substantial amounts of water that can be used directly by adapted plant
species. Artificial surfaces such as netting-surfaced traps or polyethylene sheets can be exposed
to fog and dew. The resulting water can be used for crops.
6) Contour farming is adopted in hilly areas and in lowland areas for paddy fields. Farmers
recognize the efficiency of contour-based systems for conserving soil and water.
7) Tippy Tap for water conservation: - Tippy Tap is a simple device which dispenses a
limited amount of water slowly and facilitates a thorough hand wash. In case of piped water
supply, every time the tap is opened for a hand wash, an average of 300 - 500 ml of water is
utilized. Using Tippy Tap it is possible to have a good hand wash with only 60 to 80 ml of
water
8) Propagation of Dry Garden / Eco Lawns- As a step towards water conservation and
propagation of native plant species, drought resistant plantation (plants requiring less water)
should be carried out.
9) Soak pit construction- Water run offs and water logging are combated by constructing soak
pits near water points like hand pumps. This is a sanitation measure and also helps in recharge
of ground water.
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10) Tree plantation in water catchments area/riverbanks and clean-up drives near water bodies
are some of the other initiatives taken up to preserve our water resources.
11) Desalination- To augment the depletion of fresh water resources in coastal areas due to
excessive abstraction, desalination like distillation, electro-dialysis and reverse osmosis are
available. Selection and use of these processes is site specific.
12) Long Distance Transfer of Water- Transfer of water from surplus basins by creating
storage at appropriate locations and inter-linking various systems is yet another strategy for
increasing the benefits considerably5.
Water conservation measures in industries should include: (i) review of alternate production
processes and technologies from water consumption point of view; (ii) ensuring sound plant
maintenance practices and good house keeping, minimizing spills and leaks; and (iii)
optimization of treatment to achieve maximum recycling. Another established technique for
maximum water recovery is the water pinch analysis technique. However, this technique only
focuses on maximizing freshwater and wastewater reduction via reuse and regeneration6.
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It is necessary to study and analyze the impacts of subsidies (on water, energy, and
other relevant inputs) on water use. Subsidies that inhibit water use efficiency or cause
negative effects on the environment should be reduced.
Our traditional water management approaches and systems were both sustainable and
accountable. These need to revived and invigorated. Policies must recognize and build
on these.
Principles of reuse and recycling of water resources must be incorporated into water
management plans and strategies. There must be incentives for water conservation7.
Public awareness and education on the importance of protection of the coastal and
ocean environment helps to meet social and economic needs and aspirations of the
country in the long run.
Awareness campaigns on existing regulations for management of coastal areas need to
be conducted. Education and communication material on the need for conservation and
protection of rare and endangered species need to be developed.
Research findings on marine resources, their development and management have to be
demystified. The educational and communication material targeted at the public has to
be developed in local languages.
Opportunities for interactions between communities, policy makers, regulating
agencies, NGOs, scientists, etc. need to be increased.
Appropriate strategies and decision making tools that would enhance the capabilities of
professionals, Government, and non government organizations to take up local and
community level action programmes need to be developed8.
CONCLUSION
Water problems will not go away by themselves. On the contrary, they will worsen unless we,
as a global community, respond and use water responsibly. So, before it is too late, let us all, as
individuals, families, communities, companies & institutions, pledge towards using water
wisely. Intelligence is not in lavishness but in conservation, so that our future generations can
continue to enjoy the blissful feeling and touch of water.
REFERENCES
1) Das, M. 2007. Clean India action for water, www.google.com
2) California Energy Commission, California's Water-Energy Relationship (November 2005),
p.8
3) www.ci.tucson.az.us/water/tsnwtr/conserve/outdoor/harvest.htm
4) Vickers, A., 2002. Water Use and Conservation. Amherst, MA: Water Plow Press. p. 434.
ISBN 1-931579-07-5.
5) Environment & water India, 2000. 3rd Annual International Exhibition, Conference.
6) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2002. Cases in Water Conservation. (Report).
Retrieved on 2010-02-02. Document No. EPA-832-B-02-003.
7) Geerts, S., Raes, D., 2009. Deficit irrigation as an on-farm strategy to maximize crop water
productivity in dry areas. Agric. Water Manage. 96, 1275-1284.
8) Water - Use It Wisely. U.S. multi-city public outreach program. Park & Co., Phoenix, AZ.
Accessed 2010-02-02.
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