Water Source Protection focusing on Drinking Water Security ---
The source water challenge is perhaps the most pressing issue, specially with regard to ensuring safe drinking water security. The most confounding source water challenge is presently in our traditional surface water sources and it is the result of rampant wastewater discharges / riverbank dumping of solid wastes and uncontrolled agricultural run-off.
In our state, the wastewater (mostly untreated) is eventually led to the water bodies like rivers / wetlands etc. Also, the wastewater drainage networks get washed away due to regional flooding, thereby making the water bodies vulnerable. Apart from that solid wastes disposal sites in the bank of water bodies, pose a threat to the water sources either by wastes being washed away to the water sources or its’ leachate being mixed up with water sources, in due course of time.
Furthermore, the nutrient runoff from agricultural activities is eventually led to the rivers / wetlands and this also appears to be a threat concern, in present days, due to large scale dependence chemical fertilizers both as manure or as pest control purpose. Apart from that, other nonpoint source pollution includes storm water drainage etc. Thus a wide spectrum of chemicals, pathogens and other oxygen depleting substances etc. led to degradation of our water sources.
Another challenge is the stress out of climate change, causing extensive depletion of dry weather flow in the river. Such situation calls for the appropriate placement of Intake point for the Water Treatment Plant, which might sometimes, even need adequate channelization during the lean
There are many Piped Water Supply Scheme (PWSS) to facilitate Safe Drinking Water, which are totally based on Riverine sources. But the challenges arising out of different sorts of contaminations pose threat concern towards functionality of such water supply schemes. Hence, necessary efforts should be initiated to keep the Rivers more lively and protected, with an aim on sustainability of PWSS.
In the above back cloth, what might be the considerations for all technical factors, as perhaps necessary, to decide on a smart approach for addressing water woes in our eco-system?
Dear Nripendra
Please have an idea about Water safety plans( catchment to consumer water safety management system) introduced by WHO. http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/publications/publication_9789241562638/en/
Many countries have developed laws, regulations, guidelines, etc. to help identify and protect source waters, and as well identify areas of poor or non-potable waters for public information and protection. In areas where no or limited information and protection exists, those hydrologists, geologists, engineers and water managers can become very helpful in locating suitable source areas or areas where water treatment, etc. would be most economical and or practical. There are costs to clean up water resources, and as well, costs to not cleaning them up for a society to consider. There is more than ample publications and examples in the literature for societies and technical advisors to consider, when political and community support exists. Those who live in high risk areas are likely to be more vulnerable to health and other issues, but some degree of source water education may help them choose the source areas and basic water treatments options, as well as possible alternative sources such as rainwater storage, locating and protecting forested headwaters, springs and confined aquifers of high quality, etc.
Hi...your question poses several aspects that need to be considered. I do agree, and our country has tried to implement the PAHO/WHO approach to water safety plans, which is recommendable. Also protection of river beds and distances are also legislated in many countries. However, attention needs to be given to the relationship between surface water/runoff with aquifer vulnerability, and whether surface water bodies are influent or efluent in relation to the aquifer in diverse sections or regions and this may results in limitation of activities.
Some pesticides and their leachability can be found using Groudwater Ubiquity Score (GUS), which may give some clues as to limitations in some crops.
Many groundwater vulnerability models also exist, and DRASTIC provides a good start. Many of these models also consider specific parameters for pesticides and agricultural chemicals in general. In the case you need to establish and protect wells as an alternative you have to know the approriate parameters and radii of concern, based on capture zone analysis and local realities.
A complete aquifer management scheme, reflecting temporal and spatial variation, will also help limit extraction, if necessary.
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