WATER CONSERVATION: STRATEGIES AND

SOLUTIONS

Aditya Anand
Department of civil engineering,
Model Institution of Engineering and Technology,
Kotwal, Jammu (India).
Email: [email protected]

Abstract:
India has 16% of the world’s population and only 4%
of the world’s water resources, which are depleting
rapidly. The demand for water is expected to grow from
40 billion cubic meters (BCM) currently to around 220
BCM in 2025. Water is one of the most important inputs
essential for crops. Both its shortage and excess affect
the growth and development of the plants, yields and
quality of produce. There are numerous methods to
reduce such losses and to improve soil moisture. These
are mulching, cropping, planting of trees, utilization of
fog order by net-surfacing traps or polythene sheets,
contour farming, transfer of water from surplus areas to
deficit areas by inter-linking water systems through
canals, desalination technologies such as distillation,
electro-dialysis and reverse osmosis, use of efficient
watering systems such as drip irrigation and sprinklers
will reduce the water consumption by plants. The most
important step in the direction of finding solutions to
issues of water and environmental conservation is to
change people's attitudes and habits; this includes each
one of us.
Introduction:
Water, Paani, Jal, L’eau, Wasser, Aqua perhaps the most
familiar and widely used word in the world. Water needs
no introduction, the importance of this is known to one
and all. However, despite water being the basic human
need, this precious resource is being wasted, polluted
and getting depleted. Every drop of water is precious, but
we continue to waste it like itis a free natural commodity.
98% of water on this planet is salty and is not fit for
human consumption. Out of the 2% of freshwater
reserves, 1% is locked up in form of ice in various regions
around the world. Hence, only 1% of total water reserves
are available for our domestic & industrial use. Many
cities in India and around the world are already facing
sever water shortages due to reduced rainfall, man-made
climatic changes, reduction in ground water levels,
population explosion, industrialization and staggering
amount of water wastages because of negligence by
users & dilapidated water supply systems. The
importance of water in a country’s economic growth
should not be undermined.
Water pollution, unavailability of drinking water,
inadequate sanitation, open dumping of wastes, loss of
forest cover is some of the problems faced by many parts
of India. Heavy toll of infant mortality due to water borne
diseases, the daily struggle for procuring water,
mismanagement of wastewater, improper sanitation are
common features and are leading to serious
consequences on human health and the economy of the
country. Situation demands immediate intervention in
the management of these rapidly growing problems,
especially through an integrated approach for water,
sanitation and related issues.
Water conservation:
water conservation can be defined as:
1.Any beneficial deduction in water loss, use, or waste.
2.A reduction in water use accomplished by
implementation of water conservation or water
efficiency measures; or,
Improve water management practices that reduce or
enhance the beneficial use of water an improved design
or process implemented to reduce water loss, waste, or
use. Water efficiency is a tool of water conservation. That
result in more efficiency water use and thus reduces
water demand. The value and cost-effectiveness of a
water efficiency measure must be evaluated in relation
to its effects on the use and cost of other natural
resources. (e.g., energy and chemicals)

Goals:
The goals of water conservation efforts include :
 Sustainability – to ensure availability for future
generations, the withdrawal of fresh water from an
ecosystem should not exceed its natural replacement
rate.
 Energy conservation – water pumping, delivery, and
wastewater treatment facilities consume a significant
amount of energy. In some regions (e.g., California)
of the world over 15% of total electricity consumption
is devoted to water management.
 Habitat’s conservation – minimizing human water use
helps to preserve freshwater habitats for local wildlife
and migrating waterfowls, as well as reducing the
need to build new dams and other water diversion
infrastructure.

Conservation Technologies:
Process of conservation may be synonymous of
prevention against loss or waste. Briefly stated it means
putting the water resources of the country for the best
beneficial use with all the technologies at our command.
Water conservation basically aims at matching demand
and supply. The strategies for water conservation may be
demand oriented or supply oriented and/or management
oriented. The strategies may vary depending upon the
field of water use, domestic, irrigation or industrial use.

1)Rainwater harvesting – rainwater harvesting

essentially means collecting rainwater on the roofs of
building and storing it underground for later use. Not only
does this recharging arrest groundwater depletion, but it
also raises the declining water table and can help
augment water supply. Rainwater harvesting and
artificial recharging are becoming very important issues.
It is essential to stop the decline in groundwater ingress,
i.e., prevent seawater from moving landward, and
conserve surface water run-off during the rainy season.
Advantages:
1.Provides self-sufficiency to water supply.
2.Reduces the cost for pumping of ground water.
3.Provides high quality water, soft and low in minerals.
4.Improves the quality of ground water through dilution
when recharged
5.Reduces soil erosion & flooding in urban areas
6.The rooftop rainwater harvesting is less expensive &
easy to construct, operate and maintain. In desert,
RWH only relief.
7.In saline or coastal areas & islands, rainwater
provides good quality water.

2)Better Irrigation Practices – conservation of water

in agriculture sector is essential since water is necessary
for the growth of plants and crops. A depleting water
table and a rise in salinity due to overuse of chemical
fertilizer and pesticides has made matters serious.
Various methods of water harvesting, and recharging
have been and are being applied all over the world to
tackle the problem. In areas where rainfall is low and
water is scarce, the local people have used simple
techniques that are suited to their region and reduce the
demand for water.
For crop irrigation, optimal water efficiency means
minimizing losses due to evaporation, runoff or
subsurface drainage. An evaporation pan can be used to
determine how much water is required to irrigate the
land. Flood irrigation, the oldest and most common type,
is often very uneven in distribution, as parts of a field
may receive excess water in order to deliver enough to
other parts, overhead irrigation, using center-pivot or
lateral-moving sprinkles, gives a much more equal and
controlled distribution pattern. Drip irrigation is the most
expensive and least used type but offers the best results
in delivering water to plants roots with minimal losses.

3)Use of Saline Water for Irrigation- saline water is

widely available but rarely used for agriculture because it
restricts plant growth and yield. Salt resistant varieties of
crops have also been developed in recent times.

4)Mulching i.e., the application of organic or inorganic

materials such as plant debris, compost, etc., slows down
the surface run-off, improves the soil moisture, reduces
evaporation losses and improves soil fertility.

5)Fog and dew contain substantial amounts of water

that can be used directly by adapted plant species.
Artificial surface such as netting surface traps or
polyethylene sheets can be exposed to fog and dew. The
resulting water can be used for crops.
6)Contour farming is adopted in hilly areas and in
lowland areas for paddy fields. Farmers recognize the
efficiency of contour-based systems for conserving soil
and water.

7)Tippy Tap for water conservation: - Tippy Tap is a

simple device which dispenses a limited amount of water
slowly and facilities a thorough hand wash. In case of
piped water supply, every time the tap is open for a hand
wash, an average of 300-500 ml of water is utilized.
Using Tippy Tap, it is possible to have a good hand wash
with only 60 to 80 ml of water.

8)Propagation of Dry Garden/Eco Lawns- as a step

towards water conservation and propagation of native
plant species, drought resistance plantation (plants
requiring less water) should be carried out.

9)Soak pit construction- water run offs and water

logging are combated by construction soak pits near
water points like hand pumps. This is a sanitation
measure and helps in recharge of ground water.

10)Tree plantation in water catchments

area/riverbanks and cleanup drives near water bodies are
some of the other initiatives taken up to preserve our
water resources.

11)Desalination- To augment the depletion of

freshwater resource in coastal area due to excessive
abstraction, desalination like distillation, electro-dialysis
and reserve osmosis are available. Selection and use of
these processes is site specific surplus basins by creating
storage at appropriate location and interlinking various
systems is yet another strategy for increasing the
benefits considerably.

Measures of Water Conservation

Water conservation measures in industries should
include:
i. Review of alternate production processes and
technologies from water consumption point of
view.
ii. Ensuring sound should plant maintenance
practice and good housekeeping, minimizing
spills and leaks
iii. Optimization of treatment to achieve maximum
recycling. Another established technique for
maximum water recovery is the water pinch
analysis technique. However, this technique
only focuses on maximizing freshwater and
wastewater reduction via reuse and
regeneration.

What can We Do to Conserve Water?

 Use only as much as you require. Close the taps

well after use. While brushing or other use, do not
leave the tap running, and open it only when you
require it. See that there are no leaking taps.
 Use a washing machine that does not consume too
much water. Do not leave the taps running while
washing dishes and cloths.
 Install small showerheads to reduce the flow of
water. water in which the vegetables & fruits have
been washed use to water the flowers & plants.
  At the end of the if you have water left in your
water bottle do not throw it away, pour it over
some plants.
 Re-use water as much as possible.
 Change in attitude & habits for water conservation
 Every drop counts!

Improve Water Management

 The close link between forests and water, and the

traditional relationship between agriculture and
water, need to be recognized and protected to
ensure sustained productivity.
 National water management policies should take
account of the impact of trade in water-intensive
goods on water availability and ecosystem integrity.
Foe example, in water scarce regions, people should
grow crops with low water requirements, or of high
value compares to the water used. Options for
improving the water balance by improving water
intensive goods from water-rich regions should be
explored, where appropriate and cost-effective.
 The potential of rainwater harvesting for augmenting
rural and urban water supply is increasingly
becoming recognized. The alternative should be
further explored and utilized.
 Proper water pricing must be an integral part of
water policies. However, care must be taken to
ensure that the poor and socially disadvantaged are
not denied access. Moreover, there must be
adequate monitoring and control of market
mechanisms.
 It is necessary to study and analyze the impacts of
subsidies (on water, energy, and other relevant
inputs) on water use. Subsidies that inhibit water use
 efficiency or cause negative effects on the
environment should be reduced.
 Our traditional water management approaches and
system were both sustainable and accountable.
These need to revied and invigorated. Policies must
recognize and build on these.
 Principles pf reuse and recycling of water resource
must be incorporated into water management plans
and strategies. There must be incentives for water
conservation.

Public Education and Awareness

 Public awareness and education on the

importance of protection of the coastal and ocean
environment helps to meet social and economic
needs and aspirations of the country in the log
run.
 Awareness campaigns on existing regulation for
managements of coastal areas need to be
conducted. Education and communication material
on the need for conservation and protection of
rare and endangered species need to be
developed.
 Research finding on marine resources, their
development and management must be
demystified. The educational and communication
material targeted at the public must be developed
in local languages.
 Opportunities for interactions between
communities, policy makers, regulating agencies,
NGOs, scientists, etc. need to be increased.
Appropriate strategies and decision-making tools
that would enhance the capabilities of
professional, government, and non-government
 organization to take up local and community level
action programmes need to be developed.

Conclusion
Water problems will not go away by themselves. On
the contrary, they will worsen unless we, as a global
community, respond and use water responsibly. So,
before it is too late, let us all, as individual, families,
communities, companies & institutions, pledge
towards using water wisely. Intelligence is not in
lavishness but in conservation, so that our future
generation can continue to enjoy the blissful feeling
and touch of water.

Reference
1.Das, M. 2007. Clean India action for water,
www.google.com
2.California Energy Commission, California’s Water-
Energy Relation (November 2005), p.8 3)
www.ci.tucson.az.us/water/tsnwtr/conserve/outdoor/h
arvest.htm
3. Environment & water India, 2000. 3rd annual
International exhibition, conference.