Question

How have industrialisation and urbanisation impacted water supply? Explain.

Answer 1

Industrialisation and urbanisation have severely taxed India’s water supply, posing issues in both quantity and quality.

1. Surging Demand: Industries such as steel and urban areas such as Delhi utilise large amounts of water, resulting in shortages, as shown in Bengaluru’s water crisis.
2. Pollution Increase: Industrial effluents and urban sewage pollute rivers, including the Yamuna in Delhi, restricting availability to clean water.
3. Groundwater Overuse: Urban and industrial demands, such as in Punjab’s agriculture sector, drain groundwater, causing water tables to fall in an unsustainable manner.
4. Infrastructure Pressure: Rapid urban expansion strains water supply systems, as illustrated by Chennai’s 2019 reliance on tankers due to insufficient pipelines.
5. Ecosystem Harm: Industrial projects and urban sprawl deplete wetlands, diminishing groundwater recharge, as evidenced by Mumbai’s shrinking water bodies.