Formidable ground water quality and quantity problems in Rajasthan

[keerthi sureshbabu]

Rajasthan has resulted in a rapid depletion in ground water level and deterioration in water quality due to over exploitation. In Rajasthan, owing to meager surface water resource, ground water is only sources of dependence and survival, over 70% irrigation and 95% drinking water supply schemes are based on ground water resources. Availability of surface water is mainly restricted to canal command areas of Indira Gandhi Nahar Project, Chambal and Mahi rivers. To meet the demand, the withdrawal of ground water is more than the recharge to ground water resources. In fact this has created a problem of depletion and deterioration of groundwater level & its quality. Other geo-chemical factors have resulted in increase of hydrochemical parameters viz. salinity, nitrate, and fluoride in ground waters and have adversely affected the lives of inhabitants in general and socio-economic status in particular. The ground water of western, north-east of Rajasthan is facing problem of salinity, sodicity, alkalinity, nitrate and fluoride, whereas central and southern part is generally facing the acute problem of fluoride. High fluoride hazard is found almost all the districts of the state causing diseases fluorosis. Increased use of nitrogenous fertilizers and poor sewerage system in the urban agglomerate has caused high nitrates in aquifer water. Industrial and urban population has further caused deterioration in quality of ground water. Rajasthan has become a serious environmental issue in the field of water quality management and human health. The state second ranks amongst the most endemic fluoride problem areas of the country and shares approximately 10% of the world fluorosis problem.

In Rajasthan, drought and famine stays as unwanted guest almost every alternate tear. Thus water crisis is of acute nature and needs immediate attention of water managers.
Rajasthan is known for its arid climatic conditions and is characterized by low, erratic and unevenly distributed rains causing frequent meteorological, hydrological and agricultural droughts. Quality wise more than 25% of ground water sources have multiple problems,16% have excessive fluorides, 15% have excess nitrates and over 9% have excess salinity, thus leaving nearly 35% sources of potable.

The state is occupied by diversified geo-formations and hydro geological conditions. Ground water occurs in unconsolidated formations, semi consolidated formations and consolidated rock types. Quaternary alluvium, Lathi stand stove, Palana sandstone, Borunda limestone and Jodhpur standstone at places are some of the prominent aquifer system available in the state and are heavily over-exploited. Severe water level declining districts are –Jaipur, Sikar, Jhunjhunu, Nagaur, Jodhpur ,Jalore, Pali, Dausa and Barmer.

Factors Responsible for Water Scarcity

• Low Rainfall-Arid climate 
• Frequent drought and famine conditions
• Less availability of fresh water 
• Deep & declining water levels
• Hard rock area
• Dispersed population
• Undependable energy supply
• Formidable water quality problems
• Lack of water education.

[MADAN IYENGAR]

Hi Keerthi,

As population explosion takes place there is bound to be shortage ....government in all states are focusing only on infrastructure and power...but there seems to be less importance on water...reduce it use is difficult since the demand is more that supply....recycle and reuse is the only option...despite many representations to adapt and treat sewage to potable standards for non-potable uses it  has not got responses... emerging and innovative technologies could be implemented for recycling and reused for bore well recharge, flushing, land scape gardening, vehicle washing.....just look how many cars, buses and trains are washed daily by ground water.....huge daily discharge of sewage is wasted without recycling....(Gandhi sagar in bhlilwara - understand it is 2 + crore liters daily) Developed countries too are facing it difficult to source and manage supplies.....Singapore is already on treated sewage supplies... Australia is buying treated sewage from Japan for non-potable uses... Dubai too is dependent on water supplies from neighboring countries...water is already a commodity... oil is passe and water is the future..... government supplies (potable)water at Rs. 30+ per K L ( 1000 liters) but look at the irony ...one buys mineral / bottled water at Rs.15+ per liter.... well blue gold is the future....      

Cheers

[Satya Prakash Mehra]

It is the known fact that the natural conditions of Rajasthan are too harsh. Water scarcity is quite common. It is true what is mentioned by Dr. Keerthi.

I would like to add one more point that despite of the above facts the people of Rajasthan (past inhabitants/ ancestors/ old age people from western/ desert parts) are knowing the natural solutions to overcome the problems of water scarcity. But today situation is completely  changed, the development phase has changed the approach and modern concept of conservation has overshadowed the importance of traditional methodology of conserving natural resources. Further, so called modernization has posed negative impact on the perception of the people.

 

Thus, it is worth including the point that problems are inducted by modern phase of development/ consumerism.  

[Girish Yadav]

Its even true and not at all good condition in industrial area. with rain water harvesting NON existence in industries, ground water has high TDS and hardness making it unfit for drinking. An urgent need is to have ZERO WATER DEMAND MANDATORY for industries, big shopping complexes, SEZ, residential housing complexes and other infrastructure projects. the water required to be used from ONLY RAIN WATER HARVESTING (either ground water recharge or storage)

[GOPI KANTA GHOSH]

There are ways to combat. Need for proper planning and implementation.