India among high risk nations in water stress survey
NEW DELHI: India ranks 41 among 181 countries so far as water stress is concerned and its in the bracket of second high risk nations. The first-ever global water stress rankings by World Resource Institute (WRI) reveals that 37% countries assessed by it experience high to extremely high baseline water stress.
The baseline water stress measures how much water is withdrawn every year from rivers, streams, and shallow aquifers for domestic, agricultural, and industrial uses. Scores above 4 on a scale of 0-5 indicate that, for the average water user, more than 80% of the water available is withdrawn annually. The report says 37 countries including Singapore, Kuwait, Oman and Israel face "extremely high" levels of water stress.
India's baseline water stress is assessed at 3.6, which means the country uses between 40% and 80% of the water available annually. However, when it comes to seasonal variability between months of the year, the situation is worse. For example, during summer season many parts of the country overexploit both surface and ground water due to scarcity and high demand. The average score in this case is 4.2, which is in the high risk zone.
The report indicates how the water usage is very high against the availability during some months across all sectors - agriculture, domestic and industry.
The report says that stable supplies are increasingly hard to come by in many countries, as water-related risks increase. For example, recent droughts threatened GDP growth in the United States and monsoon floods killed hundreds and displaced thousands in India. In China, the increased competition for water may impact energy production, the global institute said.
WRI says that in the case of countries scoring 3-5; companies, farms, and residents are highly dependent on limited amounts of water and vulnerable to even the slightest change in supply. Such situations severely threaten national water security and economic growth - especially if a country does not have adequate water-management plans in place.
However, it says that even extremely high water stress can be managed. The report mentions that though Singapore has the highest water stress ranking of 5 and has no freshwater lakes or aquifers, it has consistently held up as an exceptional water manager. Singapore invests heavily in technology, international agreements, and responsible management, allowing it to meet its freshwater needs. Advanced rainwater capture systems contribute 20% of Singapore's water supply, 40% is imported from Malaysia, grey water reuse adds 30%, and desalination produces the remaining 10% of the supply to meet the country's total demand.
Source - TOI - timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/India-among-high-risk-nations-in-water-stress-survey/articleshow/27341315.cms
The baseline water stress measures how much water is withdrawn every year from rivers, streams, and shallow aquifers for domestic, agricultural, and industrial uses. Scores above 4 on a scale of 0-5 indicate that, for the average water user, more than 80% of the water available is withdrawn annually. The report says 37 countries including Singapore, Kuwait, Oman and Israel face "extremely high" levels of water stress.
India's baseline water stress is assessed at 3.6, which means the country uses between 40% and 80% of the water available annually. However, when it comes to seasonal variability between months of the year, the situation is worse. For example, during summer season many parts of the country overexploit both surface and ground water due to scarcity and high demand. The average score in this case is 4.2, which is in the high risk zone.
The report indicates how the water usage is very high against the availability during some months across all sectors - agriculture, domestic and industry.
The report says that stable supplies are increasingly hard to come by in many countries, as water-related risks increase. For example, recent droughts threatened GDP growth in the United States and monsoon floods killed hundreds and displaced thousands in India. In China, the increased competition for water may impact energy production, the global institute said.
WRI says that in the case of countries scoring 3-5; companies, farms, and residents are highly dependent on limited amounts of water and vulnerable to even the slightest change in supply. Such situations severely threaten national water security and economic growth - especially if a country does not have adequate water-management plans in place.
However, it says that even extremely high water stress can be managed. The report mentions that though Singapore has the highest water stress ranking of 5 and has no freshwater lakes or aquifers, it has consistently held up as an exceptional water manager. Singapore invests heavily in technology, international agreements, and responsible management, allowing it to meet its freshwater needs. Advanced rainwater capture systems contribute 20% of Singapore's water supply, 40% is imported from Malaysia, grey water reuse adds 30%, and desalination produces the remaining 10% of the supply to meet the country's total demand.
Source - TOI - timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/India-among-high-risk-nations-in-water-stress-survey/articleshow/27341315.cms