My OperaSolutions to counter depletion of groundwater levels
Friday, May 9, 2008 2:33:34 AM
Depletion of groundwater levels has been alarming in just the last 20 years.
What are the solutions? Mr. Hariharan, CEO of BCIL advises:
* The solution at the urban level is clearly not having new sources of water, but rationalising the use of water, as communities, as cities and as governments.
* The most practical way to achieve efficient urban water supply is to see that you treat and re-use water in a way that your non-potable needs are met with such treated water.
* The good news is that nearly 70 per cent of water needs in any urban housing area or in office blocks is clearly for non-potable use, which is easily met with treated water.
* The technology available for quality water treatment has grown sharply in recent years. There are companies that have cropped up with many different treatment options at reasonable costs for such treatment and re-use. The government, through the Central Pollution Control Board, has made it mandatory for builders to create tertiary sewage treatment plant for re-use of water. All this augurs well for sensible use of water in the years ahead, with drop in demand for fresh water.
* Regulation today in the building industry does not yet cover the installation of dual plumbing lines in large residential projects. The facility will enable use of treated waste-water for flush tanks and gardens with separate plumbing systems, quite distinct from the lines for fresh water. This should be in place soon, in order that the demand for fresh water is met better.
What are the solutions? Mr. Hariharan, CEO of BCIL advises:
* The solution at the urban level is clearly not having new sources of water, but rationalising the use of water, as communities, as cities and as governments.
* The most practical way to achieve efficient urban water supply is to see that you treat and re-use water in a way that your non-potable needs are met with such treated water.
* The good news is that nearly 70 per cent of water needs in any urban housing area or in office blocks is clearly for non-potable use, which is easily met with treated water.
* The technology available for quality water treatment has grown sharply in recent years. There are companies that have cropped up with many different treatment options at reasonable costs for such treatment and re-use. The government, through the Central Pollution Control Board, has made it mandatory for builders to create tertiary sewage treatment plant for re-use of water. All this augurs well for sensible use of water in the years ahead, with drop in demand for fresh water.
* Regulation today in the building industry does not yet cover the installation of dual plumbing lines in large residential projects. The facility will enable use of treated waste-water for flush tanks and gardens with separate plumbing systems, quite distinct from the lines for fresh water. This should be in place soon, in order that the demand for fresh water is met better.
