India's Water Pollution: Solutions For A Brighter Future

Water pollution is a pressing issue in India, with untreated sewage, industrial discharge, and agricultural runoff contaminating water bodies and rendering them unfit for human use. The problem is exacerbated by insufficient wastewater treatment infrastructure and capacity, leading to health, environmental, and economic consequences. However, efforts are being made to address this crisis. Various government initiatives, such as the Jal Jeevan Mission, aim to improve access to safe water and sanitation for all. Additionally, organizations like Water.org are working to empower people with access to safe water and sanitation through financial solutions and partnerships. Technology and data play a crucial role in monitoring and reducing water pollution, with machine learning models offering new insights and predictive capabilities. India is also receiving support from global organizations like the World Bank, which has financed projects to improve water supply and sanitation in rural areas. These collective efforts provide hope for a sustainable future with clean water for all in India.

How to Help Stop Water Pollution in India

Promote sustainable agriculture and reduce chemical runoff

India's agricultural sector faces a myriad of challenges, including pressure on natural resources, climate change, land fragmentation, increasing urbanisation, and the impact of chemical inputs on human health. The country's Green Revolution, which took place during the 1960s and 1970s, transformed India into a world leader in rice and wheat production. However, this success came at a cost to the environment and people's health. The intensive rice-wheat production model promoted during this period led to the depletion of water resources, loss of soil nutrients, reduction in agrobiodiversity, and increased greenhouse gas emissions.

To promote sustainable agriculture and reduce chemical runoff in India, several measures can be implemented:

• Adopting sustainable farming practices: This includes techniques such as no-till farming, contour farming, mulching, and integrated pest management (IPM). No-till farming, already popular in countries like the USA, Canada, and Australia, prevents soil erosion, increases water retention, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Contour farming, suitable for hilly terrains, minimises runoff and improves water availability. Mulching involves covering the soil with organic or inorganic materials, which helps conserve soil moisture, control soil temperature, reduce weeds, and increase soil nutrients, ultimately enhancing crop yield. IPM techniques offer natural alternatives to chemical pest control, such as attracting beneficial insects, habitat manipulation, and crop diversity.
• Improving water management: Water scarcity is a significant issue in India, and sustainable water management practices are essential. This includes promoting water-saving techniques in agriculture, such as the Sustainable Sugarcane Initiative (SSI), which has helped farmers save up to 90% of water by planting seedlings directly into fields and adopting wide spacing for improved plant health and drip irrigation. The World Bank has also supported projects like the Karnataka Water Supply Improvement Project, providing continuous piped water supply to urban areas, and the Atal Bhujal Yojana, a national groundwater management program.
• Incorporating agroecological principles: India can benefit from adopting agroecological practices such as natural, regenerative, organic, and no-tillage farming. While there are concerns about their ability to maintain high productivity, these systems offer environmental benefits and reduce the detrimental impacts of chemical inputs.
• Promoting crop diversity: Diversifying crops can have multiple benefits. For example, intercropping vegetables with sugarcane boosts income and provides nourishment. Growing pulse crops in rotation with other crops improves soil fertility by supporting a more diverse population of soil organisms.
• Addressing policy frameworks: India needs new agricultural policies that take a holistic view, considering the links between food systems, the environment, and human wellbeing. Key agencies, such as the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and NITI-Aayog, should implement programs promoting sustainability, climate resilience, biodiversity maintenance, and ecosystem services. These programs should incorporate nearby ecosystems like forests, wetlands, and urbanizing areas, in addition to agroecosystems.

Improve sewage treatment plants and sewage infrastructure

India faces a water crisis, with a large number of people facing high to extreme water stress. The country's water requirements are heavily dependent on erratic monsoons, and climate change is expected to increase pressure on water resources. Sewage from cities is the biggest source of organic pollution in the Ganga, and untreated sewage contaminates waterways, degrading water quality and rendering it toxic to humans and the environment.

To improve sewage treatment plants and sewage infrastructure in India, the following steps can be taken:

Invest in building and maintaining sewage treatment plants

Constructing and maintaining sewage treatment facilities can ensure that sewage water from cities and households is treated before it reaches natural water bodies. This helps to reduce the amount of organic and chemical pollutants that contaminate rivers and other water sources.

Develop a network of drains and pipes

Implementing a comprehensive drainage system, including continuous piped water supply, can facilitate the collection and conveyance of sewage to treatment plants. This prevents the direct discharge of untreated sewage into rivers and other water bodies.

Improve wastewater treatment processes

It is essential to update and enhance wastewater treatment technologies to address modern-day challenges, including microplastics, PFAS, pharmaceuticals, and other emerging contaminants. Investing in research and development can lead to more effective treatment methods and infrastructure.

Address agricultural pollution

Agriculture is a significant contributor to water pollution in India. Educating farmers on organic farming practices, such as reducing the use of pesticides, fertilizers, and herbicides, can help minimize nutrient runoff and prevent the contamination of water sources. Implementing sustainable irrigation practices and conserving groundwater are also crucial steps.

Public-private partnerships

Collaborations between the government, non-governmental organizations, and private entities can leverage resources and expertise to improve sewage infrastructure. For example, Water.org has partnered with microfinance institutions, government initiatives, and local organizations to increase access to safe water and sanitation for families living in poverty.

Encourage the use of wetlands to treat wastewater

India's rapid development has brought about significant environmental challenges, particularly concerning the management of industrial wastewater. The discharge of untreated or inadequately treated industrial effluents into water bodies poses serious threats to ecosystems, public health, and water security. With industries spanning diverse sectors such as manufacturing, textiles, chemicals, and mining, the scale of water pollution is considerable.

Constructed wetlands have emerged as a promising approach to treating industrial wastewater in India, offering effective treatment, environmental benefits, and economic advantages. These engineered ecosystems are designed to replicate the functions of natural wetlands, fostering biodiversity and utilizing a range of natural processes for purification. Constructed wetlands are typically divided into two categories: subsurface flow (SSF) and surface flow (SF). SSF wetlands direct wastewater through gravel beds or porous media, promoting microbial activity that degrades organic matter.

The benefits of constructed wetlands include:

• Effective treatment of wastewater: Constructed wetlands have been found to efficiently remove Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), nitrogen, phosphorus, and pathogens from primary treated wastewater. The removal efficiency of BOD and nitrogen is typically high, ranging from 67-90% and 58-63% respectively.
• Cost-effectiveness: While capital expenditures for larger plants can be high, constructed wetlands are generally less expensive to build than high-rate aerobic plants. They also provide cost-effective wastewater treatment solutions, encouraging the reuse of treated wastewater, preventing pollution of freshwater resources, and reducing consumption pressure.
• Eco-friendliness: Constructed wetlands are eco-technological conglomerates that interweave water security, energy possibility, and environmental protection. They provide an eco-friendly alternative to conventional treatment methods, fostering biodiversity and utilizing natural processes for purification.
• Decentralized treatment option: The decentralized nature of many industries in India makes constructed wetlands an appealing option for on-site or cluster-level wastewater treatment.

To fully harness the benefits of constructed wetlands, several challenges must be addressed. Clear policies and regulatory frameworks are needed to encourage the adoption of constructed wetlands for industrial wastewater treatment. Incentives and subsidies can be provided to incentivize industries to invest in sustainable wastewater management practices. Additionally, raising awareness, enhancing technical expertise, and continuous monitoring and research are vital for the successful implementation and operation of constructed wetlands.

Implement regulatory measures and pollution prevention strategies

India's water crisis is a complex issue with far-reaching consequences. While the country has made significant strides towards improving access to safe water and sanitation, water pollution remains a pressing challenge. To address this, the implementation of regulatory measures and pollution prevention strategies is crucial. Here are several key approaches:

Strengthen Water Governance and Enforcement:

• Empower State Governments: As water is a state subject in India, state governments should be equipped with the necessary resources and authority to effectively monitor and regulate water pollution. This includes strengthening their capacity to oversee industrial and mining activities that may impact water sources.
• Enhance Inter-State Collaboration: Given that rivers often flow across multiple states, establishing cooperative frameworks and agreements between states is essential to ensure consistent water quality standards and pollution prevention measures.
• Support Regulatory Agencies: Agencies responsible for regulating water quality, such as the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) and the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), should be provided with adequate resources and technical expertise to effectively enforce regulations and respond to emerging challenges.

Improve Wastewater Treatment and Infrastructure:

• Invest in Sewage Treatment: India should prioritize the construction and maintenance of sewage treatment plants, particularly in urban areas. By ensuring that sewage water undergoes proper treatment before being released into rivers, the country can significantly reduce organic pollution in water bodies like the Ganga.
• Upgrade Wastewater Treatment Plants: With the emergence of new contaminants like microplastics, pharmaceuticals, and PFAS, there is a need to upgrade existing wastewater treatment infrastructure. This includes incorporating advanced treatment technologies capable of removing these contaminants to ensure they do not reach natural water bodies.
• Promote Decentralized Solutions: Community-led initiatives, such as the World Bank-supported Karnataka Water Supply Improvement Project, have proven successful in providing continuous piped water supply to urban areas. Empowering local communities to manage their water supply schemes fosters a sense of ownership and can lead to more sustainable water management practices.

Encourage Sustainable Agricultural Practices:

• Reduce Nutrient Pollution: Implement measures to minimize the use of fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture, as these contribute to nutrient pollution. Encouraging organic farming practices, precision agriculture, and integrated pest management can help reduce the runoff of excess nutrients and harmful chemicals into water bodies.
• Promote Conservation Tillage: Encourage farmers to adopt conservation techniques such as contour plowing, terracing, and no-till farming to prevent soil erosion and reduce the amount of sediment entering waterways.
• Support Agroforestry and Riparian Buffers: Agroforestry, the practice of integrating trees and shrubs into agricultural landscapes, can help improve watershed health, reduce erosion, and filter pollutants before they reach water bodies. Additionally, establishing and protecting riparian buffer zones along rivers and streams can provide natural filtration and enhance water quality.

Foster Public Awareness and Participation:

• Educate the Public: Launch awareness campaigns to educate the public about the impacts of water pollution and promote individual actions that can collectively make a significant difference. Encourage best practices such as proper waste disposal, responsible chemical use, and water conservation techniques.
• Engage Communities: Involve local communities in decision-making processes related to water management and pollution prevention. By fostering a sense of collective responsibility, communities can become active stewards of their local water bodies, monitoring and reporting pollution incidents, and advocating for sustainable practices.
• Leverage Digital Technologies: Utilize digital platforms and social media to disseminate information, real-time water quality data, and best practices for pollution prevention. Encourage the development of innovative digital tools that support water conservation and pollution monitoring efforts.

By implementing these regulatory measures and pollution prevention strategies, India can make significant progress in addressing its water pollution challenges and ensuring safe and sustainable water resources for its citizens.

Support community-led groundwater management programs

India is the world's largest user of groundwater, and its overexploitation has led to a crisis. Groundwater is a common resource, but its use by farmers is often individualistic and unregulated, resulting in negative consequences for them. In a country where agriculture is predominantly rainfed and based on groundwater use, the implications of its over-exploitation are significant, particularly on local cropping patterns and the livelihoods of village communities.

Community-led groundwater management programs are vital to averting depletion. Strengthening community participation and rights in groundwater governance can improve management. The Participatory Groundwater Management (PGM) approach empowers communities by providing governance rights, community awareness, capacity development, and knowledge and motivation for social regulation and the implementation of coordinated actions.

In 11 villages from the Dharta and Meghraj watersheds in Rajasthan and Gujarat, researchers, rural development facilitators, and local villagers worked together to initiate participatory groundwater monitoring. The villagers who participated in the program were called Bhujal Jaankars (BJs), meaning 'groundwater informed'. The BJs were trained through theory and practical exercises so they could perform a geo-hydrological evaluation of their area, monitor groundwater, and share their findings with their community.

In the agrarian state of Punjab, the World Bank helped the state government pilot a scheme to conserve groundwater. The "Paani Bachao, Paisa Kamao" (Save Water, Earn Money) scheme incentivizes farmers to reduce groundwater usage by offering cash incentives to save electricity used for irrigation, resulting in water savings of between 6 and 25% without any adverse yield effects.

The World Bank has also supported the Karnataka Water Supply Improvement Project, bringing continuous piped water supply to the water-stressed cities of Hubbali-Dharwad, Belagavi, and Kalaburgi.

Frequently asked questions