Effective water management: an unavoidable step on India’s growth path

The admittedly huge challenge of water management is still a hard nut to crack in India. A fast-growing population combined with service shortfalls on the supply side has caused the decline in the per-capita availability of water. But scarcity is not the only problem. The quality of available water resources and sewage treatment capacities are also at stake. Since aquifers have already reached overexploitation, a new focus on how water is used and how it reaches people is needed, as Dr. Mihir Shah, a Planning Commission member, recently pointed out.

A detailed Ernst & Young report on water usage in India has highlighted the need for a new paradigm based on the principle of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), to solve current problems as well as meet future demand. The geographically inequitable distribution of water, its contamination, inefficient end use and top-heavy institutional framework governing the sector have been identified as the country’s main challenges. The E&Y report, which was released last May, has proposed several courses of action, i.e. water policy and pricing reforms, improvement of treatment and supply infrastructures, private sector mobilization, and suggested a comprehensive approach encompassing all the stakeholders.

A major policy response for the effective management of the country’s water resources was announced early this year. The revised draft of the National Water Policy (NWP), which was posted on the Water Ministry's website for comments in January, has envisaged the creation of a Water Regulatory Authority in each State to administer and fix water charges. The Water Users Association has been charged with managing the distribution of the precious resource.

The implementation of the National Water Policy has kindled new hope. However, greater coordination efforts supported by strategic planning and innovation are required. The private sector would have a crucial role to play in transforming the country’s water usage. Therefore, some experts suggest that regulatory framework and financing systems should be modified to allow the private sector to become an active stakeholder in the reform process. Changes are on the move, but they need to become more inclusive.

Do you have any suggestions? We would really appreciate your input.