The seriousness of the challenges associated with urban Water supply and sanitation in India have been recognised in recent times.
After decades of neglect, the first national effort to invest in the urban water and sanitation sector commenced in the 1970s, but was accorded considerable priority in the subsequent two decades as a part of different national- and state level schemes, culminating most recently in the ‘Swacch Bharat Mission’.
As most of the recent reports and commentaries have highlighted, the problems of the urban water and sanitation sector in India are complex and shall need concerted efforts to sustain the policy momentum.
CASE FOR URBAN WATER AND SANITATION
Why meeting the challenge of urban water and sanitation is important in order to meet desirable public Health and environmental outcomes.
Imperatives for Public Health
There are severe public health consequences of inadequate urban water and sanitation. Globally, diarrhoeal diseases are the second leading cause for children under 5 (UNICEF, 2010), and 25 per cent of global diarrhoeal deaths occur in India (WHO, 2009).
Around 88 per cent of diarrhoeal deaths can be attributed to inadequate sanitation hygiene and water (UNICEF, 2010). Increasingly, it is been recognised that sanitation is a cause of malnourishment, leading to stunting and long-term cognitive diseases (Spears, 2013).
one in every 10 deaths in India is from causes related to inadequate sanitation and hygiene (WSP, 2010).
Lack of sanitation in India has led to economic losses for the country (6.4 % of India’s GDP) (WSP, 2010). This study also highlighted that urban households in the poorest quintile bear the highest per capita economic impact of inadequate sanitation—1.75 times the national Average per capita losses and 60 per cent more than the urban average (WSP, 2010a).
Imperatives for Environmental Protection
The largest environmental concern, posed by the current urban water and sanitation systems in India, is pollution of water bodies.
‘Organic matter and bacterial pollution of fecal origin’ remains the largest Water Pollution problem in India (CPCB, 2012).
Water quality, as measured by BOD levels, and the presence of Total Coliform and Fecal Coliform, has declined steadily over the period of 1995–2011 (CPCB, 2012).
The main cause of this pollution is the inability of large urban centres to adequate treat their wastewater, as will be examined in detail in later sections of the paper. Inadequate sanitation is also a cause for contamination of groundwater aquifers. Untreated sewage also remains the single biggest land-based source of pollution for coastal areas of India (CPCB).
Apart from pollution, the other critical concern faced by urban areas is its growing water demand, within the context of decreasing water availability. With 2.4 per cent of the world land area, India is home to about 17 per cent of the total world Population but has only about 4 per cent of the world’s renewable freshwater Resources (Ministry of Water Resources, 2012).
In a country like India which is densely and relatively uniformly populated, the growing water demand and the resultant search for newer sources of water is bound to come face-to-face with ecological limits.
In the case of India, while per capita renewable water resource availability in 1951 was 5,177 cubic meters (cu.m) per capita per year, this became 1,588 cu.m by 2010, placing the country well within the water-stressed category
RURAL SANITATION
A large section of Indian population lives in villages and is mainly engaged in agriculture. They belong to weaker section of the Society.
There is a definite trend of rural population migrating to the urban areas due to lack of EMPLOYMENT opportunities, low earnings, insufficient means of transport and insanitary living conditions.
The latter is mainly responsible to repel the educated youth from working in rural areas. One source of insanitary condition in rural areas is the drainage of waste water from bathing and cooking areas of dwellings over the kutcha roads and lanes having inadequate slopes.
The situation is further aggravated due to the movements of carts and animals which result in the creation of pot holes and ditches that gets filled up with dirty stagnant water.
The mosquitoes and flies find good breeding centres in these places and spread diseases. Some of the village roads are brick paved with drains for waste water disposal. But these have not served the required purpose due to improper slopes, insufficient maintenance and unpredictable flow of water. Rural dwellings having their own source of water supply like hand pumps discharge more water on the streets.
Furthermore, the agricultural waste and domestic refuse collect in drains obstructing the flow of water and ultimately, all these things appear on the streets.
Some of the village panchayats have suggested individual pits for collection of waste water and its disposal by intermittent sprinkling on large areas, either in the courtyard or on the streets.
The villagers adopt this practice for some time, but their enthusiasm dies with time. A few progressive farmers have access to the technical know-how and capacity to invest finance to make large sized soakage pits filled with brickbats (to dispose off water underground). These are frequently choked with ash and Soil used by the villagers to clean their utensils. This requires cleaning of the pit and involves considerable expenditure. The high cost of construction and costly maintenance make it beyond the reach of the poor.
A detailed study of the problem, including the living habits of rural population, was conducted by the Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee.
The urban type of underground Drainage System was not found suitable because of the settlement of silt and ash in drains; insufficient quantity of water for self-cleaning of the drains; high maintenance and running cost.
The lack of interest in the maintenance of community Services leads one to conclude that the proposed system should be such that it should make the individuals responsible to run their own waste water disposal system. At the same time, the system should be within the economic reach of a villager who can maintain it without outside help.
Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin)
Safe sanitation is an essential requirement for the well-being of every society. Though India has come a long way in improving its sanitation coverage status, it is still well short of desired levels.
In the rural context, Safe Sanitation comprises of the following components
The sanitation programme needs to take care of the above components.
To tackle the challenge, the Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) was launched on 2nd October 2014, and is a community-led and people-oriented programme aimed at universalizing safe sanitation, by providing flexibility to states in the implementation of the programme.
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Sanitation and Water Disposal
Sanitation and water disposal are essential for human health and well-being. Safe water and sanitation can prevent the spread of diseases, improve Nutrition, and boost Economic Development.
Water Supply
Water supply is the process of providing water to people and businesses. It includes the collection, treatment, and distribution of water.
Water sources can be surface water, such as rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, or groundwater, such as aquifers. Surface water is often treated to remove pollutants before it is used for drinking or Irrigation. Groundwater is usually cleaner than surface water, but it can be contaminated by human activities, such as agriculture and Industry.
Water treatment is the process of removing contaminants from water. The type of treatment required depends on the quality of the water source. Common methods of water treatment include filtration, chlorination, and ultraviolet disinfection.
Water distribution is the process of delivering water from treatment Plants to homes and businesses. Water is usually distributed through a Network of pipes.
Wastewater Collection and Treatment
Wastewater collection and treatment is the process of collecting and treating wastewater from homes and businesses. Wastewater is a mixture of water and human waste. It can also contain industrial waste and storm water runoff.
Wastewater is collected through a network of pipes. It is then transported to a wastewater treatment plant, where it is treated to remove pollutants before it is discharged back into the environment.
Wastewater treatment plants use a variety of methods to remove pollutants. Common methods include filtration, chlorination, and activated sludge treatment.
Solid waste management is the process of collecting, transporting, and disposing of solid waste. Solid waste can include household garbage, commercial waste, industrial waste, and construction and demolition debris.
Solid waste is collected by a variety of methods, including curbside collection, dumpsters, and transfer stations. It is then transported to a landfill, incinerator, or recycling facility.
Landfills are the most common method of solid waste disposal. Incineration is a less common method of solid waste disposal. Recycling is the process of converting waste materials into new materials and objects.
Sanitation
Sanitation is the practice of keeping oneself and one’s environment clean. It includes personal hygiene, food hygiene, and environmental sanitation.
Personal hygiene is the practice of keeping oneself clean. It includes bathing, brushing teeth, and washing hands.
Food hygiene is the practice of keeping food clean and safe to eat. It includes washing hands before and after handling food, cooking food properly, and storing food safely.
Environmental sanitation is the practice of keeping the environment clean. It includes disposing of waste properly, keeping water clean, and preventing the spread of pests.
Waterborne Diseases
Waterborne diseases are diseases that are caused by drinking or coming into contact with contaminated water. Common waterborne diseases include cholera, typhoid, dysentery, and diarrhea.
Cholera is a bacterial disease that causes severe diarrhea. It can be fatal if not treated.
Typhoid is a bacterial disease that causes fever, headache, and abdominal pain. It can be fatal if not treated.
Dysentery is a bacterial disease that causes diarrhea with blood and mucus. It can be fatal if not treated.
Diarrhea is a common illness that causes loose, watery stools. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including infection, food poisoning, and allergies.
Diarrheal Disease Prevention
Diarrheal diseases are the leading cause of death among children under the age of five. They can be prevented by handwashing, safe water, and sanitation.
Handwashing is the single most effective way to prevent diarrheal diseases. It should be done with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Safe water is water that is free of harmful bacteria and parasites. It can be obtained from a clean source, such as a well or spring, or it can be treated with chlorine or other disinfectants.
Sanitation is the practice of keeping oneself and one’s environment clean. It includes personal hygiene, food hygiene, and environmental sanitation.
Water and Sanitation for All
The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were a set of eight goals that were adopted by the United Nations in 2000. Goal 7 of the MDGs was to halve the proportion of people without access to Safe drinking water and basic sanitation by 2015.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 goals that were adopted by the United Nations in 2015. Goal 6 of the SDGs is to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
The Sanitation and Hygiene for All (SHAA) initiative is a global PARTNERSHIP that aims to achieve universal
What is sanitation? Sanitation is the process of keeping people and the environment clean and healthy. It includes things like providing clean water, disposing of waste safely, and preventing the spread of disease.
What is water disposal? Water disposal is the process of getting rid of wastewater. Wastewater is water that has been used for things like bathing, cooking, and washing. It can also contain things like sewage, industrial waste, and agricultural runoff.
What are the benefits of sanitation? Sanitation has many benefits, including:
Improved health: Sanitation helps to prevent the spread of diseases like cholera, typhoid, and diarrhea.
Increased productivity: When people are healthy, they are able to work and learn more effectively.
Reduced POVERTY: Sanitation can help to reduce poverty by making it easier for people to work and earn a living.
Improved Education: When children are healthy, they are able to attend school and learn more effectively.
Improved environment: Sanitation helps to protect the environment by reducing pollution and preventing the spread of disease.
What are the challenges of sanitation? Sanitation is a challenge in many parts of the world. Some of the challenges include:
Lack of access to clean water: Over 785 million people do not have access to clean water.
Lack of access to sanitation facilities: Over 2.7 billion people do not have access to basic sanitation facilities.
Poverty: Poverty can make it difficult for people to afford sanitation facilities and services.
Lack of education: Lack of education can lead to people not understanding the importance of sanitation or how to use sanitation facilities properly.
Gender inequality: Women and girls are often at a disadvantage when it comes to sanitation. They may not have the same access to sanitation facilities as men and boys, and they may be more likely to be responsible for collecting and disposing of waste.
What can be done to improve sanitation? There are many things that can be done to improve sanitation, including:
Investing in water and sanitation Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE: This includes building water treatment plants, sewage treatment plants, and sanitation facilities.
Providing education and training on sanitation: This includes teaching people about the importance of sanitation and how to use sanitation facilities properly.
Addressing the root Causes of Poverty: This includes providing access to education, employment, and healthcare.
Empowering women and girls: This includes giving women and girls the same rights and opportunities as men and boys.
What is the future of sanitation? The future of sanitation looks bright. There is a growing awareness of the importance of sanitation, and there are many initiatives underway to improve sanitation around the world. With continued Investment and effort, we can achieve a world where everyone has access to safe and clean sanitation.
Which of the following is not a type of water pollution? (A) Biological pollution (B) Chemical pollution (C) Physical pollution (D) Sanitation pollution
Which of the following is not a source of water pollution? (A) Agriculture (B) Industry (C) Mining (D) Sanitation
Which of the following is not a way to reduce water pollution? (A) Treat wastewater before it is released into the environment (B) Use less water (C) Recycle water (D) Dispose of hazardous waste properly
Which of the following is not a benefit of clean water? (A) Improved human health (B) Increased agricultural productivity (C) Reduced risk of waterborne diseases (D) Increased tourism
Which of the following is not a goal of the Sustainable Development Goal 6? (A) Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all (B) Improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials (C) Reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from waterborne diseases (D) Increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and use of groundwater resources by 2030
Which of the following is not a way to improve water quality? (A) Reduce the amount of pollution that enters water bodies (B) Increase the amount of water that is treated before it is released into the environment (C) Protect water bodies from development and other human activities (D) Increase the amount of water that is recycled
Which of the following is not a way to reduce water use? (A) Fix leaks in pipes and fixtures (B) Install low-flow toilets and faucets (C) Water plants less often (D) Take shorter showers
Which of the following is not a way to improve human health? (A) Provide access to clean water and sanitation (B) Improve nutrition (C) Provide access to healthcare (D) Reduce poverty
Which of the following is not a way to increase agricultural productivity? (A) Use improved seeds and Fertilizers (B) Use irrigation (C) Protect crops from pests and diseases (D) Reduce soil erosion
Which of the following is not a way to reduce the risk of waterborne diseases? (A) Provide access to clean water and sanitation (B) Improve hygiene practices (C) Cook food properly (D) Vaccinate people against waterborne diseases
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