Safe Water Network recently unveiled a report that promotes safe water enterprises as a potential solution to the pressing issue of providing clean drinking water in Indian cities. These small water enterprises, including water ATMs and community purification plants, offer an effective alternative to the existing challenges related to safe drinking water.
These facilities are particularly beneficial in urban slums where constructing piped water infrastructure is a daunting task, and also in rural regions grappled with contaminated water resources. The government’s ambitious Har Ghar Jal objective envisions 100% piped water availability by 2030. However, this initiative would require a staggering infrastructure investment of nearly Rs. 5 lakh crore.
Safe Water Network’s report signifies that by investing just less than 10% of the project cost (₹44,000 crore) in 2.2 lakh small water enterprises, the government can ensure safe drinking water for approximately 37 crore residents.
Water ATM: A Novel Approach to Water Distribution
A water ATM is a unique water dispensation system. It could either be automatic, operable via a coin or smart card, or manually operated. This innovative system offers a practical and reliable means of accessing safe drinking water.
The Role of Community Purification Plants
Community purification plants differ from household Reverse Osmosis systems, as they treat water locally and ensure the distribution of clean drinking water to the local population.
India’s Water Crisis: An Overview
A distressing data from the World Bank indicates that 163 million Indians lack access to safe drinking water while 210 million people do not have improved sanitation facilities. It also states that unsafe water contributes to 21% of communicable diseases. In addition, India sadly loses around 500 children under five years of age to diarrheal diseases each day.
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Access to safe drinking water | 163 million lack access |
| Access to improved sanitation | 210 million lack access |
| Daily child fatalities from diarrhea | 500 under-five children |
| India’s rank in water quality index | 120th out of 122 nations |
The National Rural Drinking Water Program
The National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) was launched in April 2009 as an amendment of the Accelerated Rural Water Supply Programme (ARWSP). It consists of several sub-missions and schemes, with the principal objective being to provide safe and adequate water for drinking, cooking, and other domestic requirements to every rural inhabitant on a sustainable basis. Fiscal responsibility for NRDWP is shared equally between the Centre and the States.
A notable sub-programme under NRDWP is the National Water Quality Sub-Mission (NWQSM), launched in February 2017 to address the urgent need for clean drinking water in about 28,000 Arsenic & Fluoride affected habitations. NWQSM’s objective is to provide clean drinking water to all rural residents affected by Arsenic/Fluoride contamination by March 2021.
India’s Groundwater Crisis: A Glimpse
India primarily relies on two sources for its water supply: rivers and groundwater. Both sources are rapidly depleting, largely due to pollution, overpopulation, and industrialization. Consequently, the Asian Development Bank predicts that by 2030, India will face a 50% water deficit.
