Fresh water crisis and management Clean, fresh water is essential for every human activity.

Availability of water determines the location and activities of human beings. All agricultural operations which supply food to humanity need water. Freshwater resources Of the total water available on earth, only 3% is fresh water. 1. Glaciers, ice and snow : Of the 3 percent of all water, about three fourths is in glaciers, ice caps and snowfields, which occur only at high altitudes. 2. Ground water : Next largest reservoir of fresh water is in ground water. Water held in the lower soil layers is water table. Porous- water bearing layers of sand, gravel and rock are called aquifers. 3. Lakes and Ponds : Lakes are inland depressions that hold fresh water year around. Ponds are small temporary or permanent bodies of shallow water. Lakes contain nearly one hundred times as much water as all rivers and streams. 4. Wet lands : Bogs, swamps, wet meadows and marshes play a vital role. Freshwater shortages One billion people or nearly 20 percent of the worlds population, lack safe drinking water. W.H.O. considers 53,000 gallons of good water is necessary per year for a healthful life. Fforty countries (including island nations, Middle East countries) in the world fall below this level. Reasons for freshwater shortages 1. Natural forces Deficits are caused by natural forces such as poor rain fall and hot winds, rivers changing courses. 2. Human causes Increased population, rapid urbanization, over grazing by cattle, improper cultivation methods, poor sewage systems, inadequate finances for providing infra structures. 3. Depleting ground water Ground water is the source of nearly 40 % water for agricultural and
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domestic use in most of the countries. 95% of rural population depends on groundwater for drinking and other domestic purposes. Over use of ground water causes several kinds of problems, including drying of wells, natural springs and disappearance of surface water features such as wetlands, rivers and lakes. Groundwater is being withdrawn from aquifers faster than natural recharge can replace it. This causes a level of depression in the water table. Heavy pumping can deplete a whole aquifer. Many aquifers have slow recharge rates, so it will take thousands of years to refill them once they were emptied. 4. Salt water intrusion Many parts of the world are losing freshwater sources due to saltwater intrusion. Over use of under ground freshwater reservoirs often allows salt water to intrude into aquifers and affect the water table. 5. Loss of free flowing rivers Loss of free flowing rivers , sterile irrigation channels is yet another cause for freshwater crisis. 6. Evaporations, leakage and siltation It happens in freshwater lakes, ponds and dams. Freshwater Management The amount of water on the earth is fixed, for all practical purposes. There are several ways to increase local supplies. a) Seeding clouds Seeding clouds with dry ice or potassium iodide particles can initiate rain if clouds and conditions that favour precipitation are present. b) Desalination Desalination of ocean water technology has great potential for increasing fresh water. The common methods of desalination are Distillation (evaporation and recondensation) or Reverse osmosis (forcing water under pressure through a semipermeable membrane whose tiny pores allow water to pass but exclude most salts and minerals).
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Although desalination is still three to four times more expensive than most other sources of freshwater, it provides a good water supply in Dubai, Oman and Bahrain where there is no fresh water sources. c) Dams, Reservoirs, Canals and Aqueducts It is common to catch the water with dams and storage reservoirs and transfer water from excess areas to deficit areas using canals, tunnels and underground pipes. d) Watershed management A series of small dams or tributary streams can hold water before it becomes a great flood. Ponds formed by these dams provide useful wildlife habitat and stock-watering facilities. Small dams can be built with simple equipment and local labour. It will eliminate the need for massive construction projects and huge dams. e) Rain water harvesting The activity of collecting rainwater directly or recharging it into ground to improve ground water storage in the aquifer is called rain water harvesting. By doing rainwater harvesting the ground water can be conserved, water table depletion can be reduced and sea water intrusion in coastal areas can be arrested. To recharge the groundwater rainwater that falls in the terrace of the buildings and in the open space around the buildings may be harvested. Roof top rain water can be diverted to the existing open / bore well. Rainwater available in the open spaces around the building may be recharged into the ground by the following simple but effective methods.

f) Better agricultural practices Sound farming and foresting practices can reduce runoff. Retaining crop residues on fields reduces flooding. Minimizing ploughing and forest cutting on steep slopes protects watersheds. Wetlands conservation preserves natural water storage capacity and aquifer recharge zones. g) Domestic conservation We could save half of the water we now use for domestic purposes. The use of washing machines, dish washers and low volume shower heads can reduce water loss. h) Industrial conservation Half of all industrial water use is for cooling of electric power plants and other industrial facilities. By installing dry cooling systems, this could be avoided. Cooling water can be recharged, some industrial wastewater may be treated, recycled and reused. i) Saving water -an individuals role As an individual we can conserve water by the following methods. ake shorter showers. T Dont wash car and two wheelers often Dont allow tap run while washing hands, dishes, food or brushing your teeth unnecessarily. n your lawn considers planting native plants, a rock garden or some I xerophytic landscaping. se water conserving appliances: low - flow showers and low -flush U toilets. Use recycled water for lawns, house plants and car washing Check taps for leaks