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Water scarcity is a pressing issue affecting numerous cities across India, with projections indicating that the situation will worsen in the coming years. India, with about 18 percent of the world’s population but only 4 percent of the world’s water resources (NITI Aayog Report, 2017), is among the most water-stressed countries globally. The per capita water availability is around 1,100 cubic meters (m³), well below the internationally recognized threshold of water stress of 1,700 m³ per person, and dangerously close to the threshold for water scarcity of 1,000 m³ per person.

Rapid urbanization and industrialization are heavily impacting the overall water demand scenario. Bengaluru is facing its worst water crisis in decades, with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah admitting that the city is short by 500 million liters of water every day. This shortage, caused by weak southwest monsoon rains that failed to replenish depleted groundwater and the Cauvery River basin reservoirs, has forced residents to ration water use and pay almost double the usual price to meet their daily needs. However, water scarcity is not limited to Bengaluru. Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Lucknow, Shimla, and Dehradun are other major cities facing acute water stress.

In industrial states like Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, and agricultural states like Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, water levels are below their 10-year averages. In Karnataka, the main reservoir was down to 16% capacity. Water reserves are the lowest for March since 2019, when reservoir capacity fell to 35%, causing cities such as Chennai to run out of water. Several localities in Bihar’s Gaya face problems stemming from water shortages. In the Gewalbigha area, a Dalit-dominant region, the problem is especially acute. Although there is a pipeline, it does not suffice given that water levels have dropped below 150 feet. The only source of water for the people in this area passes through a drainpipe.

As temperatures in Uttarakhand soar in summer, the water shortage in the hilly state has worsened. This crisis has prompted the state government to ban the washing of cars using water, instead requiring dry washing. Most complaints of water shortages are coming from Dehradun, Nainital, Pithoragarh, Didihat, Kotdwar, and Champawat. Other areas in Uttarakhand, such as Nawada, Haripur, Majri Mafi, Mohkampur, and Badripur, have also reported water shortages. Residents are surviving the crisis depending on water tankers. Millions lack access to safe drinking water, relying on polluted sources or struggling to afford clean water.

Root Causes of Water Stress

According to a study by the Centre for Science and Environment, 48 percent of India’s urban water supply comes from groundwater. In seven of India’s ten most populous cities, groundwater levels have dropped significantly over the past two decades. Monsoon rains are crucial, and erratic rainfall patterns worsen water stress in many regions. Every Indian city is now facing the dual crisis of intense heat and acute water scarcity. The crisis is not merely about shortage, but about the mismanagement of the resource. By 2030, Indian cities are projected to house 590 million people, which will place immense stress on existing resources and services such as water and sanitation.

Indian cities have been meeting their burgeoning demand for water predictably: having depleted or polluted their own surface water sources, they are sourcing water from farther away, laying the ground for potential water conflicts. At the same time, their dependence on groundwater has increased manifold, rapidly drying up these reserves. The inequity of supply in urban centers further aggravates the problem. More than 34 percent of India’s population lives in cities; however, 31 percent of urban households, mostly those in unauthorized colonies and slums, lack access to piped water or public tap water. Existing pipes are in danger of running dry.

According to a study reported in NextIAS, the water crisis in India is rooted in a combination of factors, including overexploitation of groundwater, inadequate rainwater harvesting, and mismanagement of water resources. Pollution of water bodies and inefficient agricultural irrigation methods further exacerbate the issue, leading to reduced water availability and quality.

Factors Aggravating Water Stress

Rising Demand and Overexploitation: Population growth and rapid urbanization put immense pressure on water resources. Excessive groundwater extraction for agriculture and industry depletes aquifers faster than they can be replenished. For example, Bengaluru has undergone unplanned urbanization. In 1800, the city had 1,452 interconnected water bodies and about 80% green cover. This has drastically changed due to development and growth.

Pollution and Poor Infrastructure: Industrial waste and agricultural runoff contaminate surface water sources, making them unfit for consumption. Leakages in pipes and canals waste precious water, further straining supplies. According to the WHO, iron was found in water supplied to 30% or 19,720 rural Indian households (Lok Sabha 2017). Arsenic was found in the drinking water source of 21% of such households. Iron is known to cause respiratory system hemorrhage when mixed with drinking water.

Climate Change: Unpredictable weather patterns disrupt monsoons and exacerbate water scarcity. Karnataka experienced an early start to the season with a drought in Bengaluru, while Delhi faced a water emergency due to high temperatures. Data Gaps and Emergency Responses: Data on per capita water availability is unclear, leading to reactive measures during shortages. The government should prioritize water conservation, reuse, and recycling initiatives. Lack of Coordination and Ineffective Plans: Minimal coordination between departments handling water resources and ineffective implementation of rainwater harvesting plans worsen the crisis. Existing water-sharing arrangements often fail during shortages.

In conclusion, addressing India’s urban water stress requires a multifaceted approach involving better management of resources, infrastructure improvements, pollution control, and proactive policy measures to ensure sustainable water availability for the future.