13 Outstanding Water Conservation Methods

The following methods would prove useful for it:

1. Protection of Water from Pollution;

If the total fresh water available on the earth remains pollution free, it is sufficient to meet the drinking water needs of the existing population of the world, unfortunately a large portion of fresh water does not remain fit for use of the living world due to increasing economic activities, urbanization etc.

Oceanic water in the form of ecological system of seas is an important environmental system, but during the last century pollution has spread in large proportions.

Surface water is mainly found in rivers and lakes and underground water is found under land at different depths, but which have become polluted.

Large cities located on banks of rivers are directly disposing off different wastes without treatment in rivers. Similarly, tourism has spread pollution at war speed on famous lakes and sea coasts. Man is greatly dependent on groundwater for his water related necessities, but some special industrial units have also polluted this amount of water stored in the security cover of the ground.

All the available water store on the earth should be kept pollution-free because pressure of demand for water is increasing on a large part of the earth. Normally, it is presumed that sea water being saline, is not fit to be used by human beings, but indirectly it is useful for maintaining living organisms with whom man is related, e.g., fish provide nutrition to a large portion of the world.

Hence, it is necessary to have a cooperative policy at the international level for control of oily and radioactive pollution of the oceans. On 18th November, 2002, an oil tanker of Bahama met with an accident and drowned in the sea near the ‘Coast of Death’ sea area 233 km from north-west coast of Spain. 77,000 metric tones of oil poured out from this tanker and spread over the nearby seas and polluted the sea water. During the Gulf War of 2003 also, the water of Red Sea, Gulf Persian and Mediterranean Sea adjacent to the Arabian Sea became polluted.

The origin of water crisis initially started due to its pollution and qualitative deterioration, which became acute due to increasing demand for it. For preventing water pollution, important water sources should not be made places for disposal of wastes. Industrial units should dispose off water only after its treatment. Bathing and other such activities should be prohibited near drinking water sources.

Weeds produced in water should be controlled. Water should become re-usable after physical, chemical, mechanical and organic processing methods. Rivers and lakes should not be used as canals for transport of goods as is being done in Rhine River of Europe, Volga river of Russia, and the Ganges, Yamuna and Kaveri (Cauvery) rivers in India. Thus, the most important aspect of water conservation is control on water pollution.

2. Redistribution of Water:

Water found on the surface of the earth is not equally distributed. Existing form of distribution also becomes a reason for the water crisis. In the African continent, though there is maximum hydro electric production because of excess availability of water in Mediterranean regions, but the Sahara desert situated in the north of Africa and the greatest desert of the world, suffers from water crisis for the whole year.

Droughts faced by the Sahel region in the north of Sahara desert are world famous. Similarly, there is maximum rainfall of the world (1,187 cm. in Mawsynram) in north-east India, whereas there is only 50 cm. rainfall in the west. As a result of it, more than 60 per cent portion of water of Brahmaputra and its companion rivers in the north east flows to the saline seas uselessly, whereas rivers of western Rajasthan remain dry for most of the time in a year.

Hence, by arranging supply of water from areas having lesser demand to the areas having greater demand, water crisis can be minimized. By construction of surface water reservoirs and storage of excess water in them, supply can be made to scarcity affected areas. This work can be accomplished by development of water reservoirs and canal network.

Excess rainfall water which flows away from rivers without being used, can be stored by construction of water reservoirs, from where it can be supplied for agriculture, industries, urban areas etc. Facilities of fisheries and transport also exist in stored water. These reservoirs are also constructed for protection from floods, and apart from flood protection, such water can also be used for different purposes.

Redistribution of water is also possible through canal system. Canal system transfers water from excess rain water areas to scarce rain water areas and conserves water for different uses. Indira Gandhi Canal is such a type of canal system which has brought water of Himalayas to western Rajasthan and changed the arid ecology. K.L. Rao, the then Irrigation Minister, had drafted this plan by the name of ‘Ganga-Kaveri Grid’.

Its length was decided as 2640 km in the beginning, which had to link river Ganges of north India with river Kaveri known as ‘Ganges of the South’. It was also proposed to include central rivers Narmada, Tapti, Godavari, Krishna and Pensnar falling in the way. Former President of India A.P.J. Abdul Kalam took a lead in 2003 for its implementation and its work is being started by giving a modern shape to it. It will be able to transfer water from excess rainfall water areas to scarce rainfall areas every year.

Thus, by developing artificial canal system through artificial rivers, excess water can be conserved. For this, canal system should be developed from national level to micro level. Along with big rivers, canal system should also be developed by the side of small rivers to conserve large amounts of water. Though development of canal system will have to face geographical, economic, social, cultural (rehabilitation) and political problems, but its future results would be favourable from the geographical point of view.

3. Rational Use of Groundwater:

Groundwater meets 25 per cent of total supply of water in the world, remaining 75 per cent supply is met by surface water sources of rivers, lakes etc. Demand for groundwater goes on increasing in proportion to its available quantity due to which quantity of groundwater goes on decreasing. After exploitation of groundwater, its re-infiltration takes a very long time to complete.

Hence, groundwater exploitation should be only in proportion to its recharging capacity. In India, the maximum groundwater is utilized for agriculture. Instead of growing crops requiring water according to agricultural climatic conditions, crops of commercial importance requiring more water are grown, due to which overexploitation of groundwater is done.

In Rajasthan, out of 237 blocks, 203 were in the safety zone from the point of view of groundwater in 1984, but due to excessive over exploitation of groundwater during the last two decades, the number of safety blocks reduced to only 49 in the year 2001. Remaining blocks have gone to the ‘Dark Zone’, where groundwater is not available in the required quantity for different uses in future.

By making only conscientious exploitation of groundwater, it can be proportionately conserved. For that, crops requiring lesser water should be given priority over crops requiring more water. Lesser water should be used by industries. For recharging ground­water, necessary drainage area should also be made available.

4. Population Control:

Water crisis has assumed dangerous proportions due to fast increase in population and deterioration in quantitative and qualitative aspects of water resources. Demand for water is continuously increasing. Along with population increase, demand for fresh water has increased due to expansion of industries and increasing urbanization.

Demand for water increased 35 times from the year 1700 to the decade of 2000. Demand for water has increased more in developing countries. For the year 2001, demand for quantity of water in the whole world was estimated to be 435 cubic kms. 60 per cent of this is required in agriculture, 30 per cent in industries and 10 per cent for cooking, bathing and drinking. Hence, demand for water can also be controlled through population control and at the same time, quali­tative deterioration of water can also be prevented by population.

Population of the world would become around 800 crores by the year 2025. In this context, the United Nations Organization has warned that in case population control is not exercised, the whole world will have to face grave water crisis. United Nations Organi­zation declared the year 2003 as the ‘Fresh Water Year’.

5. Renovation of Traditional Water Sources:

In India, traditional water storage places have been able to meet the demand of drinking water in many regions but they have been renovated from time to time. Water stored in traditional water sources has been used for both purposes, agriculture as well as for drinking.

Important traditional water conservation methods for irrigation include Kuhul in hilly areas, Jing (Ladakh), Kool, Water Kundis called Khoop in Arunachal Pradesh, Zabo method of Nagaland, Aabi tanks of Haryana, Dong Pokhar of Assam, Bandhare of Maharashtra, Kere of Karnataka, Iree (Tanks) in Tamil Nadu, jackwell of Andaman Nicobar and Nadi, Tanka, Kund, Khadeen, Kui, Bedi, Baori, Jhalra, Toba etc. of Rajasthan.

Beginning of traditional water conservation methods was made in Java (Jordan) in the year 3,000 B.C. by construction of a vast water reservoir. In India, a system of water conservation and drainage was found in Dhauliveera habitations 1000-1500 B.C.), which was constructed during the Harappan civilization.

These traditional water conservation methods had been developed in India looking to the nature of rainfall in different regions, but the increasing population necessitated extension of agriculture, leading to deterio­ration of these traditional sources. Conservation of any traditional water source, instead of being limited to the water reservoir portion, extends to the whole drainage area system where rain water is stored after flowing.

Due to increasing area of agriculture, drainage area of water has been destroyed resulting in reduction of water flow therein. This has caused crisis for the existence of traditional water sources. Water crisis can be prevented by renovating traditional water conser­vation sources. Unless complete conservation of rain water is done in any region, the dream of water conservation cannot be fulfilled. Hence, supervision has to be done regarding renovation of dying traditional water conservation places.

Now, the whole world has agreed with this fact that water available in its vast form also shall have to be conserved to keep it within our reach. From this point of view, ownership of traditional water sources should be at the village level as has also been agreed by the World Bank.

6. Use of Modern Irrigation Methods:

At the world level, 69 per cent water is used for the agricultural sector. Necessary requirement of water in agriculture is met by surface water sources and groundwater. Surface water used for agriculture is obtained through canals and tanks and underground water from wells and tube wells. Unfortunately, much water is wasted through traditional methods of irrigation. Canal irrigation does not distribute water in a balanced way and it creates problems of water logging.

A large portion of water can be conserved by adoption of modern methods of irrigation. Irrigation consumes double the quantity of water in comparison to all other uses. Sprinkler and drip irrigation methods save 50 per cent water.

In drop or drip irrigation method, pipes with holes are spread over the surface of land so that the crop directly receives water. There is no loss due to evaporation in this system and almost 95 per cent water is utilized. Thus, maximum water is utilized by this method. Improved modern irrigation methods are thus useful for conservation of water.

7. Increasing Forest Cover:

According to hydrological movements, water is received through rainfall every year m different quantities on the surface of the earth. This water flows on the surface and reaches the seas. Some part of rainwater is stored in stable water reservoirs (lakes and tanks), whereas some quantity of water infiltrates into the land and takes the form of groundwater.

Due to increasing deforestation during the last century, most of the rainwater flowed away to the saline seas without infiltrating into the ground. Water crisis also developed during the last decade in Cherapunji, which gets highest rainfall in the world, because forest cover has been destroyed there due to mining of limestone. As a result of it, rain water flows away very fast to the rivers. A similar thing is happening in the Dehradun area of Uttaranchal.

The old tradition of tree plantation on the banks of rivers and tanks will have to be revived. Forest cover will have to be developed on uncultivable waste lands and hilly slopes on a large scale. Since trees bear drought conditions for a long duration as compared to crops, hence trees are helpful in reducing the demand for water along with recharging water sources.

8. Change in Crop Pattern:

Excess water is not required if crops are grown according to agro-climatic conditions but in the present race of development, changing crop pattern with higher profits has replaced them. These commercial crops require more water than the traditional crops. In north-eastern part of Rajasthan, crops were not grown as per avail­ability of water and intensive cultivation was adopted during the last three decades.

Groundwater was over exploited because of non-availability of surface water and plantation of commercial crops requiring more water. It created serious water crisis. Hence, keeping in mind the experience of Rajasthan, crop rotation should be adopted according to agro-climatic conditions. Agro forestry and horticulture should be given priority in areas having scarcity of water.

9. Flood Management:

A large portion of fresh water in the world becomes devastating due to floods in India, out of a total land area of 32.8 crore hectares, in India, 4 crore hectare land is flood affected, out of which 3.2 crore hectare land can be protected from floods. By construction of embankments and canals a large part of land can be conserved besides minimizing flood losses.

Intensive afforestation can also provide security from floods. If will be helpful in absorption of water in the soil. Drainage areas of Ganges, Yamuna, Mahanadi, Damodar, Kosi and other rivers have been taken up in flood management and security to some limit has been provided to the 1.44 crore hectare land.

10. Use of Geothermal Water:

Water is also received from hot waterfalls regularly at many places on earth. Scarcity of water can be met to a certain extent by using such geothermal water.

11. Conserving Water in Industries:

About 23 per cent of total fresh water available on the earth is used by industries the world over. Some special industries consume water to a large extent, whereas some industries pollute the major portion of water. Dyeing industry and leather industry are such type of indus­tries which pollute the water.

To manufacture one ton of steel, 300 tons of water is required. Consumption of water in industries is done in quantitative as well as qualitative forms. Proportionate consumption of water in industries in developed’ countries is more (50%), out of which 75 per cent demand is met from surface water sources and 25 per cent from groundwater sources.

Water has to be both protected from pollution in industries, and re-used after processing. Recycling of water should be developed because normally industrial units dispose off water on the ground surface after using it only once. Because of not re-using it after processing, it also pollutes other water sources. Demand for water can also be reduced in indus­tries by recycling used water.

12. Reuse of Urban Waste:

Demand for water has increased in cities due to increasing urbanization. There is no provision for waste water treatment in many big towns and cities of various countries of the world. Instead of being reused, it pollutes other water sources.

Such condition is visible in cities of Delhi, Agra and Mathura on the banks of river Yamuna, whereas in many countries, urban water is used after treatment in nearby fields for growing vegetables and fruits. After use of water in urban areas, disposed waste water can be treated and conserved for use in agriculture in the peripheral areas of cities. Such policies should be incorporated while planning urban development.

13. Water Conservation by Municipal Bodies:

Municipal bodies should manage both individual demand and supply of water as well as conserve water. Municipal laws should provide for collection of rain water from roof tops and implement it. Individual awareness is very important in water conservation.

Every individual should develop the attitude of water conservation and prevent every drop of water from being wasted. As far as possible, one should conserve rain water along with maintaining quality of the water. Depth of traditional water sources should be maintained by controlling its cleanliness.

Since the maximum part of water is exploited in agriculture, hence water should be conserved in agriculture in different forms. Cultivating fields in off season helps in maintaining soil moisture. If cultivation is done up to 30 cm. depth, moisture can go up to 90 cm. depth, and capillary action prevents moisture coming out from the soil.

Besides this, soil moisture can also be maintained by before-time sowing, proper use of fertilizers, pesti­cides and Weedicides. Green manure and crop rotation should also be adopted.

Environment balancing is the main basis of water conservation. Changes coming in the world environment result in shortage in the quantity of fresh water. Due to rise in temperature of the world, fresh water in the form of snow is melting and drifting towards saline oceans. This change is visible from Antarctica to Gangotri Glacier in the Himalayas.

Change in climate has also caused change in nature and quantity of rainfall, due to which existing unevenness in distri­bution of water has also increased. Thus, the mentality of World Environment Balancing has to be developed at the individual angle and conservation has to be worked on each stage.

The objective behind the constitution of ‘World Water Commis­sion’ at the Hague in 1999 was to consider questions related to water conservation and creating an environment so that strategy of water management may be worked out to search out solutions to the impending water crisis. Five groups have been constituted here.

First, for change in information system; second related to energy; third for considering issues related to organic technology; fourth to discuss institutional changes and the fifth panel is for consolidating serially future forecasts based on study of statistics. Apart from them, there is also a panel for traditional areas to consider water for food, water for human consumption and water for environment.

One group also works on dams and national universality in international waters. The years 2025 and 2050 have been targeted by the commission for fulfilling its objective. The reason for such a long duration is that the results of solutions in this context are visible after a long time.