Representative imageEven though the state has seen many droughts over the years, the experiences have not been able to teach us a few lessons in water management and therefore, managing droughts has become an annual exercise.
Each year, we implement programmes for drought management that unfortunately does not solve the issue. It is high time that droughts are managed scientifically.
The Panchayati Raj system vests responsibility for finding a solution to water scarcity on the local governing body. Authorities might want to provide potable drinking water to the people all round the year. However, if such a vision is to be implemented, at least 10 years of careful planning and programmes would be needed.
A water policy that covers all sources of water including underground water and rain water is needed for efficient water management in the state. The water policy would also cover the utilisation of water from different sources and only local governing bodies can coordinate so many varied sources of water under one policy. The Kochi Corporation, which proposed a local water policy, has set an example for the nation.
In the first phase of its programme, the corporation would conduct a city water audit and the exercise would help the corporation find, identify and manage sources of water within the corporation limits. The move would assess water availability, use and requirement of water at hospitals, malls, schools, offices, flats etc and would project water requirements patterns in the next 10 to 20 years in each ward. The requirements can be scientifically mapped using Geographical Information Systems (GIS). Technology is also available to deal with increase in consumption locally.
The city water audit would also assess the quality of water. A water quality atlas for each ward would indicate the quality of water from each source and it would be made available using GPS. Each year, a quality audit of the water sources would be conducted.
Technology may also be used to asses and regulate salt water incursion into fresh-water sources. A 'water army,' would be created drawing human resources from Kudumbasree units and other sources. Efforts would also be made to find out new water sources, maintaining existing water sources, tapping rainwater, controlling pollution and creating awareness on the importance of maintaining water bodies intact.
Water audits that were conducted on apartment complexes have helped to reduce water scarcity as well reduce cost of water by optimising water usage. Since the audit would cover a lot of factors involved at each levels of water distribution and consumption, possible problems at all levels of water distribution and usage can be identified and sorted.
(The author is the director of SCMS Water Institute, SCMS School of Engineering, Karukutty)
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