ESSENTIALITY OF SUSTAINABLE WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT Er. Darapu Srikanth Satish Kumar,#1 M.Tech.(NITW), (Ph.D.), AMIE, MIAENG, MIAHS, MEWRA, MISTE, MIGS Department of Civil Engineering, GIT, GITAM University Rushikonda, Visakhapatnam – 530 045, A.P., INDIA
#1
[email protected],
[email protected]
Er. Darapu Swathisri,#2 B.Tech., MIAENG #2
Department of Mechanical Engineering, SVP Polytechnic College Visakhapatnam, A.P., INDIA
Abstract— The importance of the Sustainable Water Resources Management (SWRM) in view of the water scarcity and competition for meagre water resources is explained by taking into view various the proposals of various international conventions. Keywords—Sustainable Water Systems, Economic Value of Water, Data on Water Resources, Integrated Water Resources Management, Water Resources Assessment and Allocation, Water Demand, Water Balance, Water Resources Policy, Water Wars.
I. INTRODUCTION “Water is life's mater and matrix, mother and medium. There is no life without water” ----- Albert Szent-Gyorgyi (Hungarian Biochemist, 1937 Nobel Prize for Medicine, 1893-1986) Definition: Sustainable activities are defined as ones where the needs of the present generation are met without compromising the needs of future generations. The definition implies is an equitable distribution of the resource not only spatially between users in a given location, but temporally between users over time. The idea is to allocate the resource in such a way as for all, including the environment, to have an adequate share without making any one group worse off, both now and in the future. The International Hydrological Program, a UNESCO initiative, noted: "It is recognized that water problems cannot be solved by quick technical solutions, solutions to water
problems require the consideration of cultural, educational, communication and scientific aspects. Given the increasing political recognition of the importance of water, it is in the area of sustainable freshwater management that a major contribution to avoid/solve water-related problems, including future conflicts, can be found." II. FRAMEWORK The current understanding of SWRM is based primarily upon the principles devised in Dublin during the International Conference on Water and the Environment (ICWE) in 1992, namely: 1. Freshwater is a finite and valuable resource that is essential to sustain life, the environment and development. 2. The development and management of our water resources should be based on a participatory approach, involving users, planners and policy makers at all levels. 3. Women play a central role in the provision, management and safeguarding of water resources. 4. Water has an economic value and should therefore be seen as an economic good. Water is a renewable resource that fulfils multiple functions. Yet we often use it non-renewably, and we treat its many functions in isolated and singular fashion. There is no such thing as a global water problem - all problems manifest themselves at smaller scales. For example, at the global average level, there is sufficient water to meet the needs and wants of every human being. At the continental level, per
capita water availability still seems more than adequate, though large regional disparities appear. In Europe, each million cubic meters of water available per year is "shared" by over 150 people, on average, while in South America only 25 people must share that much water. Comparisons with Asia show even more extreme differences Gleick (1996) provided a broad definition of sustainable water use: "the use of water that supports the ability of human society to endure and flourish into the indefinite future without undermining the integrity of the hydrological cycle or the ecological systems that depend on it"
The technical flow of water through the city is necessary not only for the survival and health of the population but also for the functioning of industry, hospitals and other city components. The conceptual framework for urban water management has to be reflected in a long-term strategy. Storm drainage approaches have to be included but also waste management and an energy perspective. The choice of building material, road materials, transport systems, etc., are relevant aspects in this context. For water and sanitation, sustainable systems require local community involvement and commitment.
A basic water requirement will be guaranteed to all humans to maintain human health. .A basic water requirement will be guaranteed to restore and maintain the health of ecosystems. Water quality will be maintained to meet certain minimum standards. These standards will vary depending on location and how the water is to be used. Human actions should not be allowed to impair the long-term renewability of freshwater stocks and flows. Data on water resources availability, use and quality will be collected and made accessible to all parties. Institutional mechanisms will be developed to prevent and resolve conflicts over water. Water planning and decision-making will be democratic; ensuring representation of all affected parties and fostering direct participation of affected interests. (Source: Gleick (1996)) III. IMPORTANCE All life and all sectors of the economy depend on water. We all live in - and with - the hydrological cycle: Water is constantly being recharged, used, returned and reused. So we all depend on each other. We all live downstream! We are all interdependent... Urban areas, with their increasing population, economic growth, heavy pollution and water shortages, are developing dynamically. The most complex challenges are in nonregulated and peri-urban parts of urban settlements. The lack of controlled sanitation perpetually deteriorates the situation.
Fig. 1: Need for allocation IV. STEPS TO BE TAKEN
Teaching schoolchildren the importance of sustainable water resources management. Better land management practices Improving Groundwater reserves Improving surface water sources which have become too polluted for human use Wetlands and coastal mangroves Water Harvesting Systems – These structures are designed to help capture and store rainwater during
the monsoon season and serve as a source of drinking and irrigation water during the rest of the year Industrial production – Hydroelectric generation Operation and Maintenance (O & M) of the water distribution systems, reservoirs, canals and other infrastructure Integrating a number of water sub-sectors such as hydropower, water supply and sanitation, irrigation and drainage, and environment Providers of urban water services should be effectively regulated, benchmarked and monitored. The predominant public delivery of water services can be complemented by more use of different and innovative forms of service delivery, including local self-help groups, informal service providers, cooperative societies, and local and international private enterprises. Cascading and Effective Water Use in Catchment Systems In urban areas, groundwater management must pay attention to a number of circumstances, e.g. the close link between storm water handling and groundwater conditions, accumulation of pollutants, among others.
Fig. 2: Dependence on SWRM
Integrated water resources management helps in preserving sustainability of water resources. i.e., integration • between land and water use • between surface water and groundwater • between water quality and quantity • between upstream and downstream • between freshwater system and the coastal waters Mainstreaming water in the national economy Ensuring coordination between sectors Ensuring partnership between public and private sector management Involving everybody! Creating innovative practical 'tool boxes' for water management Water resources assessment • data collection networks and assessment techniques • environmental impact assessment (EIA) techniques • risk management tools, for instance for floods and droughts Allocation and conflict resolution: Allocation through market instruments Allocation based on the valuation of costs and benefits Tools for conflict resolution: upstream versus downstream, sector versus sector, human versus nature
IV (i) REGULATORY INSTRUMENTS. User-pays principle Polluter-pays principle Subsidize the good, tax the bad Technology Research and development Technology assessment guidelines Technology choices • To develop and implement a long term regional proactive management programs. • Using Satellite remote sensing information, planners and policy makers can make more effective decisions to ensure a
• • • • •
•
•
• •
stable supply of water for various purposes. Identify opportunities for saving water and/or increasing water productivity Conceptualize and test interventions in the context of multiple uses of water Develop effective strategies for allocating water among different users Assess the scope for the development of additional water resources Water security planning tools are required to answer many questions of near future such as: What will the world’s water situation look like in 2025, with at least two billion new water users on the planet competing for a finite supply? How can developing countries best shape their water policies to avoid future water scarcity and to ensure food security? How would increased water demand affect the water balance? What are the implications of water resources policy?
Fig. 3: Overall Sustainability
•
•
V. CONCLUSIONS Water Wars which are foreseeable under current situations can be avoided by practicing sustainable water resources management. Protect Nature and Nature protects us. Importance of sustainable practices has to be imparted in curriculum and such practices need to be incorporated in daily systems on war foot.
VI. ACKNOWLEDGMENT My heartfelt thanks to Swargiya Prof. Dr. Bhanu Prasad Dondeti (Ph.D., IISc, Bangalore) for encouraging me in all aspects. He was the former head of the department of civil engineering, GIT, GITAM University and one of the leading structural consultants in India. Above all he was a great humanitarian. VII. REFERENCES [1] [2]
Principles of Integrated Water Resources Management in Urban Areas (Source: Industry Sector Report for WSSD prepared by IWA) International Conference on Water and the Environment; The Dublin Statement on Water and Sustainable Development (Adopted January 31, 1992 in Dublin, Ireland).
[3] [4] [5] [6]
[7] [8]
[9] [10]
UN Fourth World Conference on Women; Beijing Gender issues, water supply and sanitation (106x ,Beijing Declaration, 1995) Second United Nations Conference on Human Settlements; The Habitat-II Agenda (1996) 1st World Water Forum; The challenges of the 21st Century – The Declaration of Marrakech, Marrakech, Morocco - March 1997 The Declaration of Paris (1998),the Paris Statement (Symposium on Water, City and Urban Planning, 1997), and the Ministerial Declaration of the Hague on Water Security in the 21st Century(2000), Marseille Statement on Urban Water Management (2001) Water and Natural Resources Management, USAID Water Team (Updated May 12, 2009; Accessed Aug 29, 2010). http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/environment/water/ Sustainable Water Management (Accessed September 20, 2010). http://www.dainet.org/water/adv_barriers.htm Capacity Development in Integrated Water Resources management (Accessed September 15, 2010). http://www.cap-net.org/
