Geography Rough Draft

10th Ishaan Reddy M - Roll No 61

Water Resources

What do we mean by Water Resources?

Water resources refer to sources of water in nature that can be beneficial for human use,
such as providing drinking water or water for irrigating crops. The vast majority, around 97%,
of the water on Earth is saline and found in oceans and seas. Only about 3% is freshwater.
Of that small percentage of freshwater, a bit more than two-thirds is locked up in glaciers and
polar ice caps, unavailable for human use. The rest of the unfrozen freshwater exists mostly
underground in aquifers, with a very small amount present above ground or in the air.

Water Resources in India

Groundwater
Groundwater is the largest source of freshwater among all natural freshwater resources.
Groundwater refers to water present underground in the pore spaces of soil and rock and in
the fractures of rock formations. Roughly 30 percent of all readily accessible freshwater on
Earth is groundwater. Some water, primarily from rainfall, seeps down through the topsoil,
clay, and rock sticking to the uppermost layers of the earth, providing water to vegetation.
The water in this zone is unsaturated, with most of the gaps filled with air rather than water.
Due to gravity, the water continues flowing downhill through the ground. Eventually, the water
reaches the subsoil, saturating all of the pores. The water table separates the saturated zone
below from the unsaturated zone above. Aquifers are porous, water-bearing rock formations.
Bedrock with many interconnected fractures and pores, such as limestone, sandstone, and
gravel, often form aquifers, as shale and clay layers are impermeable to water, they make
poor aquifers. Precipitation from above infiltrates through the layers of soil and rock,
"recharging" an aquifer. As a result, surface water and groundwater interact extensively. In
turn, groundwater feeds surface water through springs, and surface water can also replenish
groundwater supplies. The most common way for humans to access groundwater is by
constructing wells. Water pumped from wells is usually very clean. The layers of soil, clay,
and rock act as a natural filter. However, contaminants from nearby polluted soils, leaking
underground tanks, and septic systems can pollute a well and render it unusable.

Surface Water
The water bodies found on the earth's surface that contain freshwater are referred to as
surface water. Surface water originates from four key sources: lakes, rivers, tanks, and
ponds. India has approximately 10,360 rivers. The typical annual flow of water across all
river basins in India is estimated to be 1,869 cubic kilometres. However, only about 690 cubic
kilometres (32%) of the available surface water is usable due to topographic, hydrological,
and other constraints.
Usage and Importance of Water Resources
Agricultural Use
Agriculture makes use of more than 69 percent of all water in agricultural-based economies
like India. Because of this, agriculture is the primary consumer of available freshwater
globally. It is predicted that agriculture's worldwide water needs will increase by 19 percent
by 2050 owing to irrigation requirements. Agriculture primarily utilises water for irrigating
crops. The anticipated rise in irrigation demand is expected to put excessive strain on water
reserves. There is also uncertainty over whether additional irrigation infrastructure
development, as well as greater water extraction from rivers and groundwater, will be
feasible.

Industrial Use
The most essential element for the industry is water. It serves many key functions including
cooling raw materials, dissolving substances, moving materials, and generating power.
Manufacturing makes up a large part of the total water used by industry. Water is utilised
extensively in sectors like farming, related products, chemicals, and primary metals. Industry
accounts for about 19% of global water usage. However, in developed nations, industry
consumes over half of the water accessible for human utilisation.

Domestic Use
The original text discusses household chores and activities that require water, such as
drinking, cleaning, hygiene, gardening, cooking, laundry, dishwashing, and car washing. It
states that since World War II ended, people have been migrating from rural areas into
ever-growing cities, which is putting a strain on water resources. To provide water to the
expanding populations and industries in cities, governments and municipalities have had to
construct large-scale water supply systems. Domestic water usage makes up about 12% of
the total global water consumption. Water is consumed because 70% of the body is water,
and it needs to be regularly hydrated. Water regulates body temperature, balances the loss of
water and lubricates joints.

Why Water Conservation?

1. Ecological Balance: Water is the life force of ecosystems. It sustains wetlands, rivers,
lakes, and surrounding plant and animal life. Protecting water resources ensures the survival
of these ecosystems, which in turn contributes to biodiversity preservation. A balanced
ecosystem provides valuable services like water purification and flood control, benefiting the
environment and society.

2. Human Health: Access to clean and safe drinking water is a fundamental right for all
people. It is essential for good health and wellness and should be universally available
without bias. Diseases often stemming from contaminated water sources are a major global
health issue. By conserving water and maintaining water quality, we can safeguard public
health and decrease the prevalence of water-related illnesses.
3. Food Security: Freshwater is primarily used in agriculture. With the world's population
expected to reach 9 billion by 2050, demand for food will increase. Water conservation
practices like efficient irrigation and strategic crop selection are vital for ensuring food
security while minimising water waste.

4. Energy Production: Water is a key component of energy production, especially in

hydroelectric power and cooling systems for thermal power plants. Conserving water
reduces the energy sector's water usage and lessens the environmental impact of energy
generation while decreasing greenhouse gas emissions.

5. Economic Benefits: Water conservation is not just altruistic; it makes financial sense.
Businesses and industries implementing water-efficient practices can reduce operating
costs, enhance sustainability, and boost their reputation, while contributing to the global
effort to conserve water resources.

Methods of Conserving Water

1. Greywater Recycling Systems: The water that comes into buildings is clean and clear,
while sewage or blackwater leaves dirty. However, greywater is in between. Greywater
systems collect used water from baths, sinks, and showers. This accumulated water is then
reused for washing machines, flushing toilets, and other external purposes. The idea behind
recycling greywater is to maximise water usage through efficient reuse.

2. Efficient Irrigation Techniques: Lawns and gardens need a lot of water to stay maintained.
Efficient outdoor irrigation systems like smart controllers can help conserve water. These
controllers can track factors like rain, humidity and temperature to avoid overwatering
landscapes or crops. You can save even more water by switching spray sprinklers to drip
irrigation.

3. Rainwater Harvesting: Rainwater harvesting systems can range from small to large ones
that accumulate water from big areas for use by multiple properties. These systems can be
utilised commercially and residentially. The collected rainwater can be used in washing
machines, toilet flushing and even garden irrigation.

4. Water Meters: Water metering is a common term when discussing water conservation.
Water metering is measuring water use in homes and apartments. Water meters are
installed in each residence to track water consumption for billing purposes.

5. Water Saving Showers: Using a bucket and mug can conserve a lot of water instead of
showering. You can also install water saving shower heads to control the water flow rate and
spray pattern.

Irrigation in India
1. Drip irrigation is becoming more popular in areas with limited water availability. Narrow
pipes with small holes are installed across fields. When water flows through the pipes, it
drips directly onto the plant roots. This targeted approach allows the roots to efficiently
absorb water and supply the plants without any wastage.

2. Sprinkler irrigation is a simple and convenient modern method of watering fields. Water
droplets are sprayed over the land similar to rainfall through a network of overhead pipes.
Sprinkler systems avoid water loss and waterlogging issues. They help maintain
groundwater levels. Sprinkler irrigation works well in places with scarce water and uneven
terrain. The main pipeline runs through the field with perpendicular branch lines that have
rotating nozzles. Pressurised water from tube wells passes through the pipelines and sprays
out of the rotating nozzles onto the crops.

3. Furrow irrigation is commonly used for row crops. Long mounds or "dols" are formed on
both sides of the rows, and water flows in the furrow between them. Once a furrow is filled,
no more water needs to be added. This method is relatively inexpensive but requires more
labour. Large food crops get substantial water through furrow irrigation.

4. In basin irrigation, a raised platform is built around trees and shrubs, then connected by
drainage channels. It's useful for watering trees and bushes, not crops. However, it wastes a
lot of water.

5. In strip irrigation, fields are divided into strips of varying sizes based on the terrain slope.
This straightforward method requires less labour. The size of the strips is determined by the
land's structure.

Indian Problems of Water Conservation

Scarcity of Water
Water security faces multiple challenges in India that endanger the country's sustainability
and progress. A major issue is the overexploitation of groundwater through excessive
extraction for irrigation, industry, and household purposes, depleting groundwater reserves
rapidly. The growth of industrialization and urbanisation has led to widespread water
contamination, polluting rivers and groundwater and rendering them unsafe for use. There is
also unequal distribution of water resources nationally, with some areas experiencing severe
scarcity while others have a surplus. India lacks adequate water management systems, with
inefficient irrigation, leaky supply networks, and insufficient wastewater treatment. Climate
change causes irregular monsoon patterns and more frequent natural disasters, further
straining water resources. With increasing scarcity, there are growing conflicts between
states, communities, and sectors over water allocation and utilisation. Addressing these
issues is vital for ensuring water security and sustainable development in India.

Practices
Improving India's water security will necessitate a multi-pronged approach involving policies,
technologies, and changes in behaviour. A key strategy is to strengthen water governance
systems by establishing clear policies, laws, and institutions to manage and distribute water
resources effectively and fairly. Efficient water management practices such as rainwater
harvesting, conservation, and groundwater recharge should be implemented to decrease
wastage and increase availability. The country needs to invest in water infrastructure
including dams, reservoirs, and canals to enhance water storage capacity, distribution, and
mitigate the impacts of water-related disasters. Promoting the adoption of water-saving
technologies such as drip irrigation, micro-irrigation, and water-efficient appliances can
substantially reduce water usage and boost productivity. Furthermore, the government
should implement and enforce regulations to prevent water pollution and guarantee access
to safe drinking water, particularly in rural and urban areas.

Water Pollution
Water contamination is a significant ecological problem in India. The biggest source of water
pollution in India is untreated sewage. Other pollution sources involve agricultural runoff and
unregulated small businesses. Most waterways like rivers, lakes, and surface water in India
are tainted because of industries, untreated sewage, and solid waste. Although the normal
yearly rainfall in India is around 4000 billion cubic metres, only about 1122 billion cubic
metres of water resources can be used due to insufficient infrastructure. Much of this water
is unsafe, since pollution degrades water quality. Water pollution severely restricts the
quantity of water accessible to Indian consumers, industry, and agriculture.

Idea & Strategies

Treating Industrial Wastewater
Industrial wastewater pollution is a major issue in India due to lack of regulation. However,
the government has started taking steps to control industrial contamination of water
resources. Zero liquid discharge (ZLD) is a wastewater treatment method that eliminates all
liquid waste from industries with highly polluting effluent, such as fertiliser factories and
distilleries. ZLD has been promoted by the government and adopted by some large
companies like Unilever and P&G, but the high installation costs and inability to process high
dissolved solid levels in wastewater are significant obstacles for industrial facilities
implementing this technology.

Sewage Treatment Plants

There is a massive difference between the amount of sewage produced in India and the
country's ability to treat it. The central government has mostly left wastewater management
up to the state governments, leading to huge inconsistencies in how wastewater is handled
across different states. However, around 815 sewage treatment plants (STPs) have been
developed or planned over the last six years. This has raised the percentage of urban
sewage that is treated from 37% in 2015 to 50% in 2021. The localities and communities in
urban areas use the STP treated water in place of water used in the toilets and cleaning
purposes. There have also been efforts to promote the reuse or recycling of treated
wastewater for agriculture or industry to lessen the burden on groundwater resources.
CASE STUDY