Availability of fresh water is a fundamental issue faced by almost half of the population across the world. The UN estimated 1.1 billion humans lack access to water globally and at least 2.7 billion people face water scarcity for at least 1 month every year. It is estimated that 1, 800 million people will be living in countries or regions with absolute water scarcity, and two-thirds of the world’s population could be under water stress conditions by 2050. In face of the above challenges Water Conservation becomes an important activity. The proposed project seeks to improve the state of urban water resources through the adoption of sustainable water management practices.
Project Summary
Availability of fresh water is a fundamental issue faced by almost half of the population across the world. Only 3% of water available on Earth is potable, of which 67% is in the form of permaice. The UN estimated 1.1 billion humans lack access to water globally and at least 2.7 billion people face water scarcity for at least 1 month every year. It is estimated that 1, 800 million people will be living in countries or regions with absolute water scarcity, and two-thirds of the world’s population could be under water stress conditions by 2050 (2nd UN WorldWater Development Report, 2006).
In face of the above challenges Water Conservation becomes an important activity. The proposed project seeks to improve the state of urban water resources through the adoption of sustainable water management practices in five cities of India over a duration of 2 years.
Project Background:
Availability of fresh water is a fundamental issue faced by almost half of the population across the world. Only 3% of water available on Earth is potable, of which 67% is in the form of perma ice. The UN estimated 1.1 billion humans lack access to water globally and at least 2.7 billion people face water scarcity for at least 1 month every year. It is estimated that 1, 800 million people will be living in countries or regions with absolute water scarcity, and two-thirds of the world’s population could be under water stress conditions by 2050 (2nd UN WorldWater Development Report, 2006).
For most of the population across the world, water is sourced either from underground water reservoirs or from rivers/ponds. Both these sources face challenges of over utilization and poor management, resulting in depletion and in some places altogether loss of the water body. Poor availability of potable water leads to increase in cost of living and migration to water rich areas. Considering the severe impacts of climate change, rapid population growth, poor land use planning and urbanization on the hydrological cycles of an area, there is an increase in the adoption of sustainable water management and conservation strategies of freshwater ecosystems across the globe.
The problem of access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities in urban areas of India is a major concern. Climate Change coupled with unplanned urbanization and rapid population growth have resulted in severe water scarcity in several cities in India. Indiscriminate extraction and over-exploitation of ground water resources has led to a rapid fall in water tables across the country. Reports suggest that there will be an increase in the urban population in the country in the next 10 years and by 2030 the urban population is expected to rise to 590 million. As per the National Sample Survey, only 47% of urban households have individual water connections and about 40% to 50% of water is reportedly lost in the distribution system due to various reasons. Further, as per the 2011 census, only 32.7% of urban Indian households are connected to a piped sewerage system.
A report from TERI suggests that at present, 163 million people do not have access to safe drinking-water and 210 million people lack access to improved basic sanitation in India. Another report states that in June 2019, 65% of all reservoirs in India reported below-normal water levels, and 12% were completely dry.
In face of the above challenges water conservation becomes an important activity. The proposed project seeks to improve the state of urban water resources through the adoption of sustainable water management practices in five cities of India. In order to meet the future urban water challenges, there is a need to promote sustainable water management practices. Sustainable water management approach follows a holistic approach that addresses social, financial, environmental, economical and cultural issues. Also through the adoption of sustainable practices, water from different sources like freshwater, wastewater, and stormwater is managed in an efficient and judicious manner. The figure below represents the integration of various aspects for ensuring sustainable water management practices.
The principle of sustainable water management is to provide water to each person on the planet in a manner that does not lead to water scarcity for the future generations. The United Nations General Assembly also recognizes access to safe and cleaning drinking water and sanitation as a human right that is essential for the full enjoyment of life. The proposed project will use a participatory approach and will sensitize the communities on using water more efficiently. It shall also build the capacities of local institutions and other organizations to manage water in a sustainable manner over a period of two years.
Project Goal
To promote sustainable water management practices to improve water availability in five cities (Jaipur, Shimla, Gurgaon, Dehradun, Delhi) in India.
Project Objectives
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- Develop better understanding of water resources (status of local water bodies), water demand and supply and related issues in the identified project cities.
- Sensitize key stakeholders on existing water crises and sustainable water management strategies/practices.
- Enhance capacities of local institutions to participate in planning, sustainable management, protection, restoration of water resources in the cities.
Project Activities
Objective 1.
Activity 1. Development of a comprehensive database of local water resources in the city and their present status: We will be collecting and collating information on water bodies in all the five cities.. This will help us in getting accurate details of the existing water bodies in the city, their status, the exact location, threats and existing management practices. The database will be regularly updated to monitor any change in situation of individual water bodies.
Activity 2. GIS mapping of water bodies and amenities: We shall be using GIS mapping for mapping water bodies, water sources, drainage systems, public utilities, offices, parks, public toilets, water bodies and plantation activities in all the five cities. We shall also be mapping stormwater drain networks to understand the facilities in the city and will also help in keeping a track of the status of water bodies.
Activity 3: Development of a water atlas for the identified project cities: The information collected in the first two steps will be used for developing a water atlas. The Atlas will serve as a one-stop database, to provide all information related to water resources and their management in the city. The information will be presented in a number of ways- graphs, tables, maps and graphics to make it visually appealing and easy to understand.
Activity 4: Compilation of a database of organizations working on issues related to water management: We shall also be developing a database of organizations, experts, research organizations, government organizations and academic institutes that are working on issues related to water management. This will serve as a directory and we will be coordinating with them in the later stages of the project implementation. Our project officer will be developing a database with the complete details in the following format.
Activity 5. Situation Analysis: A comprehensive literature review on the existing status of water and sanitation in the identified cities. Our project officers will compile a report on the existing status, demand, supply and issues related to water and sanitation in the five identified cities. A combination of both primary data collection tools and secondary research will be used to get the required information.
Objective 2.
Activity 1. Stakeholder Consultations: We shall be conducting 4 stakeholders consultations in each of the city to discuss the findings of the situation analysis. During the stakeholder consultation we will work on developing suitable strategies for water management and conservation measures to suit each city. The consultation will be attended by municipality officials, water experts, institutions and agencies working on water issues.
Activity 2. Development of ICT material and toolkits: Comprehensive sustainable water management tools and material will be developed in the form of training tool kits, posters, leaflets, audio-video material and booklets.
Activity 3. Awareness Generation: Awareness generation is a key activity towards achieving project success.A mass awareness drive will be carried out in different project localities with the help of local field partners. The following activities will also be undertaken as part of the awareness sessions in different cities.
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- Production and broadcast of radio shows
- TV roundtable discussions
- Distribution of booklets
- Photography competitions
- Marathons and cycle rallies
- Water Exhibitions
- Documentary screening
Along with the above mentioned activities we will also be distributing leaflets and pamphlets. Communication material developed in vernacular language will be distributed in shopping areas, residential colonies and offices on water use efficiency and management. Use of easy language will help in developing a better understanding of the issues.
Objective 3.
Activity 1. Capacity building of stakeholders and communities on sustainable water management strategies: Capacity building will go beyond traditional ‘training’ to include functional and technical capacities such as planning, monitoring, stakeholder dialogues, communication and community mobilization. A fundamental strategy in sustainable water management is the integration of water management goals into physical, social and economic planning. Some of the aspects on which the local institution and stakeholders will be trained on:
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- Understanding the natural cycle of water: It is important to understand the local hydrological cycle of the city and to understand how the groundwater and other water bodies get recharged.
- Promoting environmentally conscious water use: The identified stakeholders will be trained on the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle) and on activities that will help in reducing water wastage in the city.
- Conserving watersheds: Ways to improve local water quality and quantity through the adoption of watershed management.
- Adoption of site specific water conservation strategies: Use of dug-wells, ponds, plantation activities, water harvesting structures in drains and local water bodies should be studied for feasibility. The following activities will also be promoted and the stakeholders will be trained on adopting them.
- Rainwater Harvesting:Rainwater harvesting is the process of collection, storing and conserving local surface run-off/rainwater for various purposes (domestic/agriculture).
- Improve Irrigation Management: Using treated waste-water for irrigation increases the fresh water available for other uses, including the maintenance of healthy aquatic ecosystems.
- Watershed Management:Training on improving water supply and water quality through watershed management will also be imparted. Some methods like maintenance of naturally vegetated buffer strips along streams, river channels and around lakes, preventing soil erosion will be discussed and demonstrated in detail. The following four measures of watershed management will also be discussed with the stakeholders to improve the status of local water bodies:
- Vegetative measures
- Structural measures
- Production measures; and
- Protection measures
- Establishment of Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP): Installing an effluent treatment plant can help in reducing water pollution. The effluents are treated according to various standards such as river standards, inland water-bodies and sewer standards, depending on where the treated water has to be drained. Necessary training to establish ETP to suit the city will be provided by experts.
- Community Participation: Involvement of the communities is an important step in Sustainable Water Management. Unless the communities are made aware about various ways to reduce water wastage and methods for water conservation practices at household level, water conservation can not be as effective. To reduce water wastage and improve water use the following measures will be shared with the residents of various residential societies.
Activity 2. Communication and Publication: The best practices that will be developed during the course of the project along with the findings shall be disseminated for better understanding of the scenario and interventions to be made for present and future planning.
Agencies roles and responsibilities
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- Undertake research/situation analysis and compile the database, water atlas and GIS map.
- Liasoning with government officials and collaborating with other agencies working on water related issues.
- Facilitate community meeting process, stakeholder consultations and venue management.
- Draft and design presentation material, communication tools, awareness material from credible sources.
- Facilitate necessary infrastructural arrangements for holding meetings.
- Document the process and the expected output of the process in presentable format.
- Take necessary precautions to avoid hurting any social, religious or community sentiment while facilitating the processes.
- Avoid any political involvement or reference during the process.
- Maintaining a clear and transparent communication with the funding agency and ensuring timely delivery of project deliverables.
About the organization: The organization AAA foundation was established in 1998 in Delhi. Since its foundation it has been working extensively for water conservation and environment protection. It has good outreach in several urban cities. Appended is the organization profile.
