Question

Identify the reasons (any three) for water scarcity specially, in metropolitan towns. -SST 10th

Answer 1

Metropolitan towns are characterised by large and dense population and intensive urbanisation as well as industrialisation. The fast development demands excess use of water leading to water scarcity. The main reasons for water scarcity in metropolitan towns are as follows : (i) The dense population with urban lifestyles not only consumes more water and energy for daily domestic requirements but has further aggravated the problem by over-exploiting the available groundwater resource. Housing societies and colonies in the metropolitan cities have their own groundwater pumping devices to meet their water needs. As such, the groundwater level in the cities has been adversely affected due to over-exploitation. (ii) Industries and multinational corporations in the metropolitan cities have made the water situation worse. They have exerted pressure on existing freshwater resources due to heavy consumption of water and hydroelectricity. (iii) Water pollution due to discharge of domestic and industrial wastes into water bodies leads to water scarcity. A more equitable distribution of available water supply throughout the country can be achieved through linking of the river systems of India. This can distribute the water in the various river basins from areas of surplus to areas with deficient water resources.