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Ecology & Environment
Mahesh

16/09/22 04:49 AM IST

A ‘One Water’ approach is key to combat urban challenges, manage resources

In News 
  • Global Drought Risk and Water Stress map (2019) shows that major parts of India, particularly west, central and parts of peninsular India are highly water-stressed and experience water scarcity.
Status of Water 
  • The United Natios has estimated that by the year 2050, four billion people will be seriously affected by water shortages, which might lead to multiple conflicts between countries over water sharing.
  • At the global level, 31 countries are already facing a shortage of water and by 2025, there will be 48 countries facing serious water shortages.
  • NITI Aayog report, ‘Composite Water Management Index’ (2018): more than 600 million people facing acute water shortages.
  • India is urbanising at a very fast rate. According to the 2011 census, it was 34% of the total population. The World Urbanization Prospect report says that it will cross 50% by 2050.
Impact 
  • Rural-urban water disputes are very likely to occur as scarcity grows, exacerbated by climate change
  • Triggers sectoral and regional competitiong. water disputes between countries.
  • Silent crisis of a global dimension, with millions of people being deprived of water to live and sustain their livelihood.
One Water Policy 
  • Failure to value water in all its forms is considered a prime cause of the mismanagement of water ( UN World Water Development Report 2021, published by UNESCO on behalf of the UN-Water)
  • The new water management approach, that also referred to as Integrated water resources management (IWRM).
  • IWRM is an “integrated planning and implementation approach to managing finite water resources for long-term resilience and reliability meeting both community and ecosystem needs.
  • One Water is the future of the water industry when the barriers conventionally separating wastewater, stormwater, drinking water, groundwater and the reuse and re-utilisation are broken down, many benefits realised.
  • This approach also recognises that all water has value and by considering the potential of every form of water, none of them should be treated as a waste product, according to non-profit United States Water Alliance.
Features of the policy 
  • The mindset that all water has value — from the water resources in our ecosystems to our drinking water, wastewater and stormwater.
  • A multi-faceted approach meaning that our water-related investments should provide economic, environmental, and societal returns.
  • Utilising watershed-scale thinking and action that respects and responds to the natural ecosystem, geology, and hydrology of an area.
  • Partnerships and inclusion in recognising that real progress and achievements will only be made when all stakeholders come forward and together will take a decision.
Objectives
  • Reliable, secure, clean water supplies
  • Aquifer recharge
  • Flood protection
  • Minimising environmental pollution
  • Efficient use and reuse of natural resources
  • Resiliency to climate
  • Long-term sustainability
  • Equity, affordability and accessibility to safe drinking water
  • Economic growth and prosperity
Source- DTE 

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