Welcome to my documentary on one of the most pressing issues facing our nation today – India’s water crisis.
Water is not just a resource; it’s a lifeline. It sustains our health, nourishes our crops, powers our industries, and is integral to our cultural and spiritual lives. Yet, the effects of climate change, population growth, and mismanagement have strained this precious resource to its limits.
Join me as we uncover stories of struggle and resilience, innovation, and activism. We’ll meet those on the frontlines – the policymakers striving for solutions, the scientists pioneering sustainable practices, and the everyday heroes advocating for their communities’ right to water.
Together, we’ll gain a holistic understanding of India’s water crisis and explore the collective efforts needed to secure a sustainable future for our nation. This is not just a documentary; it’s a call to action for each one of us to recognize the value of water and commit to preserving it for generations to come.
The Journey Begins
I began working on this documentary in March 2024, and now, in July 2024, I am ready to share our findings and stories. The primary reason for creating this documentary is the silence surrounding this critical issue. Despite its severity, India’s water crisis does not receive the attention it deserves. Through this documentary, I aim to bring awareness to the people, encouraging them to spread the message and think proactively about our future.
Voices from the Ground
During my journey, I spoke to many individuals affected by the water crisis, each with unique experiences and perspectives:
- Ramprakash
- Manoj
- Mani
- Siddhraj
- Ram Chandra
- Panchlinge Gowda
- Aby Abraham
These individuals from the streets of Bangalore shared their struggles, painting a vivid picture of the daily challenges faced due to water scarcity.
Insights from Experts and Practitioners
I also interviewed several professionals and experts who provided deeper insights into the water crisis and potential solutions:
- Teja, High Kitchen Cafe, Rajarajeshwari Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
- Niyaz Kadhir, Perfect Wheels & Car Wash, Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India
- Unni Krishnan, Mason Work
- Dr. Ankeeta Menona Jacob, Associate Professor, KS Hegde Medical Academy
- Dr. Shruti Ravichandran, M.B.B.S
- Varun Balakrishnan, EBTL, Rainmatter Foundation
- Sanjana Samraj, Teach For India, Fellow
- Sushma Aradhya, Urban Designer
- Vishwanath S, Advisor at Biome Environmental Trust
Their experiences and expertise highlighted the multifaceted nature of the water crisis and the urgent need for sustainable practices and better governance.
Understanding the Crisis
The documentary delves into various aspects of the water crisis, including:
- Health Impacts: Reduced water intake and contamination have severe effects on health, leading to diseases such as gastroenteritis and kidney stones.
- Economic Disparities: While the affluent can afford clean water and filtration systems, the poor struggle to access even basic necessities.
- Governance and Management: Poor governance and mismanagement exacerbate the crisis, with policies often failing to address the root causes.
- Sustainable Practices: Innovations like rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge are crucial for mitigating the crisis.
The Dire Statistics
According to the 2018 Composite Water Management Index report by the National Institution for Transforming India, India is facing the worst water crisis in its history. Approximately 600 million people experience high to extreme water stress. Inadequate access to safe water is estimated to cause 200,000 deaths annually.
Yale University’s 2022 unsafe drinking water index ranked India 141 out of 180 countries. Nearly 70 percent of India’s water is contaminated. By 2030, India’s water demand is projected to be double the amount available, as reiterated by the Interconnected Disaster Risks Report in October 2023. The potential scarcity would affect millions and adversely impact the country’s GDP.
The Importance of Groundwater
Groundwater is vital for India’s agriculture, industry, and population needs. It is a primary irrigation source, crucial for food security. In rural areas, groundwater is a primary source of drinking water through community wells and boreholes. Industries depend on it, particularly where surface water is scarce. Despite its significance, groundwater over-extraction poses challenges, emphasising the importance of sustainable management to ensure its long-term availability.
India has 18 percent of the world’s population but only 4 percent of its water resources, making it among the most water-stressed countries. The average per capita water availability for 2031 has been assessed to be 1367 cubic meters. Per capita annual freshwater availability in 2021 was lower than the Falkenmark Water Stress Indicator threshold.
Around 30 percent of India’s freshwater is stored as groundwater, mostly in aquifers — bodies of permeable rock and sediment — below the Earth’s surface. With more than 60 percent of irrigated agriculture and 85 percent of drinking water supplies dependent on it, groundwater is a vital resource.
Withdrawing water from aquifers causes a reduction in the water table. Conversely, the water table can be elevated by rainwater, snowmelt, rivers, and other surface water inputs.
Government Policies and Their Impact
In India, the government offers agricultural power subsidies equivalent to 85 percent of the average supply cost to promote agricultural production and foster economic growth, particularly among impoverished rural communities. Some states, like Andhra Pradesh, provide free electricity.
Output subsidies in India, guaranteeing crop purchase above market rates, have significantly contributed to the depletion of water tables. These policies have resulted in a 30 percent overproduction of water-intensive crops, with the state of Punjab experiencing a 63 percent decline in groundwater tables due to rice procurement. In Madhya Pradesh, wheat procurement between 2007–2016 led to a 5.3 percent increase in dry wells and a 3.4 percent increase in deep tubewells.
In India, 70–80 percent of irrigation-dependent farmers rely on groundwater. There is a correlation between intensive irrigation — often powered by free or highly subsidised electricity — and increased income for farmers.
The government’s 2017 Central Ground Water Board report identified 1499 units in six states as ‘overexploited’ or ‘critical’. The findings highlight the danger of dependence on groundwater and environmental challenges caused by agricultural practices.
To tackle declining groundwater levels, the government must reassess power and water subsidies and implement a targeted program addressing the groundwater recharge problem, especially in the northern regions of India where aquifers are drying up.
Strategies for Groundwater Management
There are three main approaches to address groundwater depletion. The first is community-based management of groundwater. The second aims to replenish groundwater levels by reassessing crop patterns and spatial management. The third approach centres on the adoption of water-efficient technologies, such as water-efficient pump sets and technological innovations, like drip and sprinkler irrigation systems.
State electricity boards across India face financial losses. The relationship between electricity and irrigation contributes to this challenge. Output subsidies exert pressure, which leads to heightened electricity demand in agriculture. Farmers are incentivised to extract groundwater for the more lucrative, and equally more water-intensive, crops. Additionally, cross-subsidisation has substantially increased industrial power tariffs over the last decade.
It is crucial to promote a shift in crop patterns towards less water-intensive options, like millets. In the early 20th century, Indian households consumed smaller quantities of rice and wheat, with millets being popular choices. Yet over time, easier production and increased availability have steered households towards consuming more rice and wheat.
Managed aquifer recharge techniques are widely employed to replenish reservoir spaces with surplus fresh water. Common methods include recharging shafts, checking dams, and utilising previously unused dug wells. India must take the lead in adopting these techniques.
The country is prone to annual flooding in certain regions. The Indian Rivers Inter-link, a proposed large-scale civil engineering endeavour, aims to connect Indian rivers through reservoirs and canals. By connecting Indian rivers, the project should enhance irrigation, promote groundwater recharge, mitigate persistent floods, and address water shortages.
The Ken-Betwa River Linking project has received parliamentary approval, though it will necessitate significant time and funding before results become apparent. Quicker approval for smaller river link projects in northern India is feasible.
Communities must take active steps to recharge water, change crop patterns, and adopt a comprehensive and holistic approach to preserving soil and water. There is an immediate need for an educational program that addresses the perils of groundwater depletion and discusses local solutions for increasing the water tables.
The Reality of Water Availability
There’s plenty of water on Earth – 71% of our planet’s surface is covered with water. However, the freshwater for our basic survival needs only represents 3% of the world’s water. Of that, most freshwater is unavailable, as it exists in glaciers, polar ice caps, atmosphere, and soil. This leaves us with just 0.5% of Earth’s water fresh and ready for us to use.
As a result, two-thirds of people on our Blue Planet live in areas where access to freshwater is an issue. Water scarcity impacts every continent, and 1.1 billion people do not have access to water. By 2025, it is possible that almost half of the global population will reside in regions encountering water shortage. Within the next decade, nearly 700 million individuals might be forced to relocate due to severe water scarcity. In addition, by 2040, almost a quarter of all children around the world are expected to live in locations experiencing extreme water pressure. This is mainly a result of climate change, growing population, and land-use change.
Water Usage and Needs
Water is vital for maintaining all bodily functions and performing daily chores. An average urban household consumes 135 liters of water per head daily, with consumption increasing significantly in higher-income families. Accessibility to a clean water supply is a crucial factor in determining consumption levels.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an average person requires 50-100 liters of water daily to meet all their needs and maintain good health. Here’s a breakdown of water usage in a typical urban household:
- Bathing: 55 liters
- Toilet flushing: 30 liters
- Washing clothes: 20 liters
- House cleaning: 10 liters
- Washing utensils: 10 liters
- Cooking: 5 liters
- Drinking: 5 liters
Despite water’s abundance, its scarcity necessitates optimal and sustainable use. The WHO recommends the following daily water intake for proper bodily functions:
- Men: 15.5 cups
- Women: 11.5 cups
This includes fluids from beverages and food. Daily water intake can vary based on factors such as climate, health, diet, and physical activity.
Factors Affecting Daily Water Consumption
- Where You Live: Hot, humid climates and high altitudes increase water needs.
- Food Habits: Diets high in sugar and fats, or excessive coffee intake, require more water.
- Type of Work: Jobs involving outdoor activity necessitate higher water intake.
- Health Issues: Illnesses causing fluid loss, such as flu or infections, increase water needs.
- Pregnancy or Breastfeeding: These conditions require additional fluids for the mother and baby.
Benefits of Drinking Water
Studies have shown numerous health benefits of drinking ample water, including aiding weight loss, reducing the risk of kidney stones, and improving skin clarity. Increased water consumption can also help prevent urinary tract infections and alleviate constipation.
Which Industries Consume the Most Water?
All industries have a certain water footprint. However, some sectors require significantly more freshwater:
- Agriculture: 70% of the world’s freshwater is used for agriculture, which also contributes to water pollution due to fertiliser and pesticide use.
- Fashion Industry: The fashion industry consumes 79 billion cubic meters of freshwater annually, largely due to the high water demand of cotton.
- Energy Industry: Energy production consumes approximately 52 billion cubic meters of freshwater each year, mainly for cooling processes in power plants.
- Meat Industry: Producing meat, especially beef, is extremely water-intensive, requiring 15,000 liters of water per kilogram of beef.
- Beverage Industry: The beverage industry uses vast amounts of water, with 350 liters needed to produce one liter of soda and 155 liters for one liter of beer.
- Construction, Mining, and Car Industries: These sectors also have significant water footprints, with the construction industry using water for cement and steel production, and the car industry requiring around 148,000 liters of water to produce a single vehicle.
Planning for the Future
To effectively address the water crisis, it is essential to plan and manage our water resources wisely. Here are some insightful articles that provide practical solutions and innovative approaches:
- Creating Flood-Resilient Indian ‘Sheher’ through Water-Sensitive Urban Design
- Bengaluru Water Crisis: Measures to Save Water at Home
- Sustainable Homes: Energy-Efficient and Zero Waste
- Housing Complex Sets Example in Water Recycling
- Efficient Water Management in Indian Residential Projects
These resources offer valuable insights and practical steps that individuals, communities, and policymakers can take to conserve water and ensure a sustainable future.
A Call to Action
As citizens, it is our responsibility to advocate for better water management and conservation practices. This documentary is not just a presentation of facts but a rallying cry for action. We must work collectively – policymakers, scientists, and everyday citizens – to ensure a sustainable and water-secure future for India.
Final Thoughts
India is facing its worst water crisis ever, and the time to act is now. As Mahatma Gandhi said, “The future depends on what we do in the present.” Let’s make sure that our actions today lead to a better tomorrow.
Thank you for joining me on this journey. I hope this documentary inspires you to take action and spread the message. Please subscribe to my YouTube channel and support me on Patreon to help me create more such impactful content. Your support means the world to me.
Special Thanks
Special thanks to the following individuals for their invaluable help with this documentary:
- A G George
- Johnny Dsouza
- Kashfi Khanam
- Lakshmi Selvakumaran
- Manasi Bhaskar
- Nikhil S
- Rashmi George
- Shreya S
- Sindhu
- Srinidhi
A Call to Action
As citizens, it is our responsibility to advocate for better water management and conservation practices. This documentary is not just a presentation of facts but a rallying cry for action. We must work collectively – policymakers, scientists, and everyday citizens – to ensure a sustainable and water-secure future for India.
Final Thoughts
India is facing its worst water crisis ever, and the time to act is now. As Mahatma Gandhi said, “The future depends on what we do in the present.” Let’s make sure that our actions today lead to a better tomorrow.
Thank you for joining me on this journey. I hope this documentary inspires you to take action and spread the message. Please subscribe to my YouTube channel and support me on Patreon to help me create more such impactful content. Your support means the world to me.
Water crisis books that you can read
I’m a Climate Optimist: An Easy Guide to Lead a Sustainable Life https://amzn.to/4cUBoBP
A Life with Lakes – Anand Malligavad https://amzn.to/3VUI1x5
Watershed : The Story of Indias Water in the Age of Climate Change https://amzn.to/4bH6GuY
References
- National Institution for Transforming India: Composite Water Management Index Report
- SIWI: Water Crisis in India – Everything You Need to Know
- East Asia Forum: India’s Thirst for Improved Water Security
- World Bank: How India is Addressing Its Water Needs
- The Hindu: Water Scarcity in India
- 2030 Builders: World Water Day
- Deccan Herald: Enforce Rainwater Harvesting Rule Strictly
- NHRC: Right to Water
- The Peninsula Foundation: India’s National River Linking Project
- New Indian Express: Interlinking of Rivers
- CHI Journal: Water Management
