Study on possibilities of low cost waste water management in urban India
rural areas to cities (Theworldpopulation 2001.htm). India has also been facing the
similar problem of rapid urban population growth. Table-1 indicates that growth
of urban population in India has been increasing at a higher pace than that of
overall population growth in every decade except in between 1981 to 1991.
Table 2: Fresh natural water use in India
Volume of fresh natural water use (BCM)
Sl. No.
Natural water users
2005
2050 (Estimated)
1.
Agriculture
524
807
2.
Industry
30
81
3.
Household
30
111
4.
Others
45
181
Total
629
1180
Source: wrmin.nic.in
Simultaneously the fresh water use in India has also been increasing into a
massive intensity. Every year India receives 4000 BCM (Billion Cubic Metre)
rainfall from all sources among which only 1122 BCM is useable for any purpose
where as useable fresh water requirement of India will be estimated as 1180 BCM/
year in 2050 (Table- 2). The intensity of water use can be reduced but the overall
reduction in the volume of water use is almost impossible due to the population
boom. In an estimate it has been found that 80% of health problems and 1/3rd of
deaths in India are attributed for waterborne diseases (answers.google. com). So
the recycling of wastewater is absolutely necessary to bridge the gap between
useable water and water use.
There is evidence of indiscriminate use of water in urban India and similarly the
production of wastewater is also very high. It has been estimated that 16,000 MLD
(Million Litres Daily) of wastewater is generated from class-1 cities (population
more than 100,000), and 1600 MLD from class-2 cities (population between 50,000
and 100,000) (cpcb.nic.in). It can be observed in Table-3 that 4 metropolitan cities
in India have been generating a huge volume of wastewater among which a small
portion (16.12%) is treated. The remaining amount of wastewater is disposed to
the natural bodies situated at the periphery of these cities (Table 3) and which
165.26% are overburdened. Therefore, an immediate management of wastewater
in these cities calls for the day for future sustenance.
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