Safe drinking water is the birthright of all humankind – as much a birthright as clean air.
The majority of the world’s Population, however, does not have access to safe drinking water. This is certainly true in most parts of Africa and Asia. Even in relatively advanced countries such as India, safe drinking water is not readily available, particularly in rural areas.
One reason safe drinking water is of paramount concern is that 75 percent of all diseases in developing countries arise from polluted drinking water.
Knowledge about how to make water safe for consumption is rare in most developing countries.
We simply must do a better job of raising public awareness and understanding about the nature of the problem and the technologies and strategies that are available to address it.
Background
Safe drinking water is a human birthright – as much a birthright as clean air. However, much of the world’s population does not have access to safe drinking water. Of the 6 billion people on earth, more than one billion (one in six) lack access to safe drinking water.
Moreover, about 2.5 billion (more than one in three) do not have access to adequate sanitation Services. Together, these shortcomings spawn waterborne diseases that kill on Average more than 6 million children each year (about 20,000 children a day). Water covers 70 percent of the globe’s surface, but most is saltwater.
Freshwater covers only 3 percent of the earth’s surface and much of it lies frozen in the Antarctic and Greenland polar ice.
Freshwater that is available for human consumption comes from rivers, lakes and underground sources and aquifers. Together these sources account for just 1 percent of all water on earth. Six billion people depend on this supply and a significant portion of the world’s population now face water shortages.
Ways to save and replenish
We must meet the world’s growing demand for freshwater.
However, we must do so with limited financial Resources and with practices that minimize ecological disruption.
An analysis of the situation suggests that our goals can be reached. Experts have proposed a four-fold path towards a viable solution for making water both potable and safe:
Seek new sources
Save and redistribute supplies
Reduce demand
Recycle
Some of these approaches are global in nature, while others are regional, national, local and even family-specific.
These efforts will ultimately succeed only when we empower people with the knowledge and means to address the issue on their own.
Individuals and communities Role in Safe Water
Efforts need not be left solely to governmental and nongovernmental agencies. Individuals, families and communities also have a vital role to play. Such responsibilities include:
Water harvesting at home, schools and community buildings
Water recycling at the microlevel, including at homes, buildings and communities
Saving water by ensuring taps and pipes are not leaky and by using optimum amounts of water for washing and toilet flushing
Making sure that the water is purified by methods suited to family conditions and needs
Maintaining proper levels of sanitation at home
Private Industry and nongovernmental organizations role in Safe Drinking Water SUpply
Many countries – for example, India, Indonesia, Kenya, and Nepal – have active nongovernmental organizations that involve communities in the funding and implementation of programmes designed to transform arid and semiarid terrains into productive agricultural regions receiving sufficient amounts of water. Such efforts should be expanded by:
Exchanging information among and between industry and nongovernmental organizations on relevant and novel methods and strategies
Focusing on sociological factors that may have an impact on the most suitable technologies and programmes for a given region/ community
Involving communities in all aspects of water harvesting, recycling, storage, purification and supply
Coordinating efforts among governmental and intergovernmental sectors for the purposes of achieving harmonious processes and results.
Various Initiatives by Ministry of Drinking Water
The National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP)
The National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) is a centrally sponsored scheme aimed at providing adequate and safe drinking water to the rural population of the country.
The NRDWP is a component of Bharat Nirman which focuses on the creation of rural Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE.
This has resulted in the provision of significant additional resources to the sector and for creating an Environment for the development of infrastructure and capacities for the successful operation of drinking water supply schemes in rural areas.
Bharat Nirman
Bharat Nirman was launched by the Government of India in 2005 as a programme to build rural infrastructure.
While Phase-I of the programme was implemented in the period 2005-06 to 2008-09, the Phase-II was implemented from 2009-10 to 2011-12. Rural drinking water is one of the six components of Bharat Nirman.
Funds provided under the NRDWP are counted towards the Bharat Nirman also and no additional funds are provided under Bharat Nirman
Scheme for providing safe drinking water supply through community water purification Plants in fluoride, arsenic, uranium and other heavy/toxic metals and pesticide/fertilizer affected rural habitations in the country
The National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) funds for supplying “safe” water in contaminated areas are being utilized by the States as a policy mostly for alternate safe Piped Water Supply (PWS) schemes including Multivillage schemes (MVS) (i. e., from far away safe sources) the gestation period of such MVS projects is about 4-5 years.
Since the rural people cannot be put to risk due to consumption of unsafe drinking water in the interim period as also whereas all such Multi-Village Schemes carrying safe water from far away sources cannot be planned and completed in the span of 4-5 years due to huge funds involved, hence, the Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation has submitted an EFC proposal to provide community water purification plants in fluoride, arsenic, uranium and other heavy/toxic metals and pesticide/fertilizer affected rural habitations in the country for providing safe drinking water immediately with an anticipated expenditure of total capital cost of Rs 3,600 crore with fund sharing pattern of 75:25 (90:10 in case of NE, J&K) between Centre and State in approx 20,000 habitations during the period 2014-15 to 2016-17.
Combined Water Supply Schemes (CWSS)
Combined Water Supply Schemes are being implemented where more than one local body, either rural or urban with a common source of water supply is involved with financial assistance under the Minimum Needs Programme, National Rural Drinking Water Programme and with funding from financial institutions like TUFIDCO, TNUIFSL, NABARD and Asian Development Bank.
During 2009 – 10 combined water supply schemes have been completed to benefit 4352 rural habitations and 41 towns at a cost of Rs. 795.04 crores. Presently Board is maintaining 422 CWSS in the state to serve 10,101 habitations benefiting populations of 131.59 lakhs which is about 20 percent of the state population
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Safe Drinking Water and Supply
Water is essential to life. We need it to drink, to cook, to clean, and for many other purposes. But not all water is safe to drink. Water can become contaminated with harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites. It can also be contaminated with chemicals, such as pesticides and industrial pollutants.
That’s why it’s important to have a safe drinking water supply. Water treatment plants are designed to remove these contaminants from water so that it is safe to drink. Water treatment plants use a variety of methods to treat water, including filtration, disinfection, and chlorination.
Once water has been treated, it is distributed to homes and businesses through a Network of pipes. This network is called the water distribution system. The water distribution system is designed to deliver water to homes and businesses in a safe and efficient manner.
Water quality is important to our Health. We need to make sure that the water we drink is free of harmful contaminants. Water quality standards are set by the government to ensure that drinking water is safe. These standards limit the amount of contaminants that can be in drinking water.
Water safety is also important. We need to make sure that the water we drink is not contaminated with harmful bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Water safety plans are developed by water utilities to ensure that drinking water is safe. These plans include procedures for monitoring water quality, responding to contamination events, and educating the public about water safety.
Water conservation is important because we need to protect our Water Resources. We can conserve water by taking shorter showers, fixing leaks, and planting drought-tolerant plants. Water recycling and reuse are also important ways to conserve water. Water recycling is the process of treating wastewater so that it can be used again. Water reuse is the process of using water that has been used for one purpose for another purpose.
Water harvesting is another way to conserve water. Water harvesting is the process of collecting rainwater or runoff water for use. Water harvesting can be used to water crops, Livestock, and gardens.
Water desalination is the process of removing salt from seawater. Desalination can be used to produce fresh water from seawater. Desalination is a valuable tool for areas that do not have access to fresh water.
Water treatment plants, water distribution systems, water quality standards, water safety plans, water conservation programs, water recycling programs, water reuse programs, water harvesting programs, and water desalination plants are all important parts of a safe drinking water supply. We need to make sure that these systems are in place and working properly so that we can have access to safe drinking water.
Water is a precious resource that we need to protect. We need to make sure that we are using water wisely and that we are not wasting it. We also need to make sure that we are disposing of wastewater properly so that it does not contaminate our water supply.
What is the best way to filter water?
There are many different ways to filter water, but the best way for you will depend on your specific needs. Some factors to consider include the quality of your tap water, the amount of water you need to filter, and your budget.
If you have good quality tap water, you may be able to get away with using a simple filter pitcher or faucet filter. These filters can remove chlorine and other contaminants, but they may not be able to remove more serious pollutants like lead or mercury.
If you have poor quality tap water, you may need to use a more powerful filter, such as a reverse osmosis filter. Reverse osmosis filters can remove a wide range of contaminants, including lead, mercury, and pesticides. However, they can also be expensive and require more maintenance.
How often should I change my water filter?
The frequency with which you need to change your water filter will depend on the type of filter you use, the quality of your tap water, and how much water you use.
In general, you should change your water filter every 6 months to 1 year. However, if you have poor quality tap water or use a lot of water, you may need to change your filter more often.
What are the benefits of drinking filtered water?
There are many benefits to drinking filtered water. Filtered water can help to improve your health by removing contaminants that can cause illness. It can also improve the taste and smell of your water.
Some of the specific benefits of drinking filtered water include:
Reduced risk of illness: Filtered water can help to reduce your risk of illness by removing harmful contaminants, such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
Improved taste and smell: Filtered water can improve the taste and smell of your water, making it more enjoyable to drink.
Increased hydration: Filtered water is more hydrating than tap water, which can help you to stay hydrated throughout the day.
Improved skin health: Filtered water can help to improve your skin health by removing impurities that can clog pores and cause breakouts.
What are the risks of drinking unfiltered water?
There are a number of risks associated with drinking unfiltered water. Unfiltered water can contain harmful contaminants, such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, and chemicals. These contaminants can cause a variety of health problems, including illness, diarrhea, and even death.
Some of the specific risks of drinking unfiltered water include:
Illness: Unfiltered water can contain harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause illness. These illnesses can range from mild to severe, and in some cases, they can even be fatal.
Diarrhea: Diarrhea is a common symptom of illness caused by drinking unfiltered water. Diarrhea can be mild or severe, and it can lead to dehydration.
Death: In some cases, drinking unfiltered water can lead to death. This is most likely to occur in people who are already sick or who have a weakened immune system.
How can I protect myself from the risks of drinking unfiltered water?
The best way to protect yourself from the risks of drinking unfiltered water is to filter your water. There are a number of different ways to filter water, and the best way for you will depend on your specific needs.
Some of the ways to filter water include:
Using a water filter pitcher or faucet filter: These filters are relatively inexpensive and easy to use. They can remove chlorine and other contaminants, but they may not be able to remove more serious pollutants like lead or mercury.
Using a reverse osmosis filter: Reverse osmosis filters are more powerful than water filter pitchers or faucet filters. They can remove a wide range of contaminants, including lead, mercury, and pesticides. However, they can also be expensive and require more maintenance.
Boiling water: Boiling water for 1 minute will kill most harmful bacteria and viruses. However, it will not remove chemicals or other contaminants.
Using bottled water: Bottled water is a convenient way to ensure that you are drinking safe water. However, it can be expensive, and it is not environmentally friendly.
It is important to choose a water filter that is right for you and your family. You should also make sure to change your water filter regularly to ensure that it is working properly.
Sure, here are some multiple choice questions about the following topics:
Water treatment
Which of the following is not a step in the water treatment process? (A) Filtration (B) Disinfection (C) Sedimentation (D) Aeration
The most common type of water treatment plant is a: (A) Surface water treatment plant (B) Groundwater treatment plant (C) Both surface water and groundwater treatment plants
The purpose of water treatment is to: (A) Remove harmful contaminants from water (B) Make water safe to drink (C) Both (A) and (B)
Water distribution
Which of the following is not a component of a water distribution system? (A) Water mains (B) Valves (C) Pumps (D) Treatment plants
The purpose of a water distribution system is to: (A) Transport water from treatment plants to consumers (B) Store water (C) Both (A) and (B)
The most common type of water distribution system is a: (A) Gravity system (B) Pumped system (C) Both gravity and pumped systems
Water conservation
Which of the following is not a way to conserve water? (A) Take shorter showers (B) Fix leaky faucets (C) Water your lawn less often (D) All of the above are ways to conserve water
The average American uses about: (A) 80 gallons of water per day (B) 100 gallons of water per day (C) 120 gallons of water per day
The most effective way to conserve water is to: (A) Fix leaky faucets (B) Take shorter showers (C) Water your lawn less often (D) All of the above are effective ways to conserve water
Water quality
Which of the following is not a water quality parameter? (A) Turbidity (B) pH (C) Temperature (D) Treatment plant capacity
The maximum contaminant level (MCL) is the: (A) Maximum amount of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water (B) Minimum amount of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water (C) Both (A) and (B)
The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) is a federal law that: (A) Regulates the quality of drinking water in the United States (B) Provides funding for water treatment and distribution systems (C) Both (A) and (B)