(a) whether the Planning Commission has suggested any measures to deal with the growing drinking water problem in the urban areas of the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the steps taken to resolve the problem of drinking water in the country?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF URBAN
DEVELOPMENT AND POVERTY ALLEVIATION ( SHRI BANDARU DATTATRAYA )
(a)to(c): The 10th Plan Document of the Planning Commission
envisages, inter alia, the measures indicated in the Annexure to
be adopted by all urban local bodies with a view to optimizing
the use of available water and conserving water sources.
Although `Water Supply` is a State subject, Ministry of Urban
Development & Poverty Alleviation is funding a Centrally
sponsored Scheme known as Accelerated Urban Water Supply
Programme (AUWSP) through subsidy to the extent of 50% of the
project cost to cover water supply schemes in small towns with
population less than 20,000 as per 1991 census to supplement the
efforts of the State Governments and urban local bodies. Under
AUWSP, Central share of Rs.573.34 crores for water supply
schemes worth Rs.1237.01 crores in 944 towns has been released
to the State Government till 17.12.2003 since inception of the
Programme.
ANNEXURE
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION
NO. 3065 FOR 23.12.2003.
THE MEASURES TO BE TAKEN BY ALL URBAN LOCAL BODIES TO OPTIMIZE
THE AVAILABLE WATER AND CONSERVE WATER SOURCES FOR BETTER WATER
MANAGEMENT SYSTEM ENVISAGED IN THE 10TH PLAN DOCUMENT OF THE
PLANNING COMMISSION.
The leakage and unaccounted for water due to old and
rusted pipes or poor maintenance of the system must be
controlled and brought to minimum. Severe penalties
should be levied on those found responsible for leakage
and wastage of water.
Reuse of treated sewage must be given priority in view of
the fact that water is going to become more scarce in the
near future. With tertiary treatment, water from treated
sewage can be used even for air conditioning, industrial
cooling and other non-potable uses.
Use of potable water for purposes like washing of
vehicles, maintenance of gardens etc. should be
prohibited. Rain water harvesting should be implemented
widely.
The Central Ground Water Board is engaged in techniques
for artificial recharge of ground water which should be
implemented where conditions are appropriate. Similarly,
exploitation of ground water in urban areas must be
constantly monitored in order to prevent drying up of this
important source.
The water tariff should be fixed in such a way as to
discourage excessive use of treated water. Water
efficient systems like low volume flushing cisterns may be
made mandatory so as to conserve water.