Syllabus: GS1/ Challenges related to Urbanisation, GS2/ Governance
Context
- In the South Delhi colony of Gulmohar Park, drinking water pipelines have been delivering sewage-contaminated water for over two weeks now.
Water Contamination
- Water contamination occurs when harmful substances mix with water, either due to natural processes or human activities, and exceed safe permissible limits.
- Biological contamination occurs due to pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and parasites (e.g., E. coli, cholera bacteria).
- Chemical contamination results from industrial effluents, pesticides, heavy metals, and excess nutrients.
- Physical contamination includes sediments, plastics, and suspended solids.
- Radiological contamination involves radioactive substances entering water sources.
Why does sewage mix with drinking water?
- Leakages in water pipelines: Sewage enters through cracks and damaged joints in water pipes. Risk increases when pipelines are old, corroded or damaged during construction activities.
- Intermittent water supply: Most Indian cities supply water only for a few hours daily. Empty or low-pressure pipes create suction, allowing contaminated water to enter through leaks.
- Ageing urban infrastructure: Many pipelines were laid decades ago and have exceeded their design life. Lack of regular maintenance increases contamination risks.
- Poor sewage management: A large share of urban households lack access to organized sewer networks. Septic tanks and untreated effluents often discharge into drains and water channels.
Structural Challenges in Urban Water Governance
- Lack of comprehensive digitised maps of water and sewer networks.
- Fragmented responsibilities among multiple agencies.
- Weak coordination between water supply and sewage departments.
- Large informal settlements with inadequate water and sanitation infrastructure.
- Existing standards focus on water quality but not on service delivery mechanisms.
Concerns of Water Contamination in Urban Areas
- Health Hazards: Spread of water-borne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, dysentery, and hepatitis leading to an increased burden on public healthcare systems.
- Economic Costs: Higher household expenditure on bottled water, water purifiers, and medical treatment.
- Environmental Degradation: Due to poor wastewater management and pollution of urban water bodies.
- Social Inequity: Low-income households are less able to access alternative safe water sources.
- Risk to Urban Resilience: Frequent contamination incidents undermine sustainable urban development and public confidence in civic services.
Constitutional and Legal Provisions
- Article 21 of the Constitution guarantees the Right to Life, which includes access to safe drinking water.
- Subhas Kumar v. State of Bihar (1991): The Supreme Court held that the right to live under Article 21 includes the right to enjoy pollution-free water and air.
- A.P. Pollution Control Board II v. Prof. M.V. Nayudu (1999): The court stated that access to safe drinking water is fundamental to life.
- Article 243W empowers Urban Local Bodies to manage water supply, sanitation, and public health.
- Article 47 of the Indian Constitution, part of the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP), directs the State to raise the level of nutrition, standard of living, and improve public health.
Government initiatives
- Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016: Mandates segregation of waste at source into biodegradable, non-biodegradable, and domestic hazardous waste.
- Promotes waste processing through composting, bio-methanation, and waste-to-energy technologies.
- Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM):SBM-Urban focuses on 100% door-to-door waste collection and encourages source segregation.
- SBM-Rural promotes biodegradable waste composting and bio-gas plants in villages.
- Smart Cities Mission promotes technology-driven monitoring of civic services, including water systems.
- The Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) aims to develop robust sewage networks and treatment plants to manage urban waste.
Way Ahead
- Urban local bodies should prioritise replacement and modernisation of ageing water and sewer pipelines.
- Real-time, sensor-based water quality monitoring should be institutionalised across urban networks.
- Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Systems (DEWATS): Implementing small-scale, localized treatment units (e.g., in housing societies or parks) to reduce the burden on main sewer lines.
- Independent third-party audits of water infrastructure must be made mandatory.
Source: IE
