Scientific water management in Denmark - An analysis

A new approach to water management in India can mitigate water stress substantially.

Scientific water management in Denmark - An analysis

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Read more on - Polity | Economy | Schemes | S&T | Environment

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• Denmark's story: It has ample water resources, and all 58 lakh Danes get enough water supply as do the industries. Yet, the country remains alive to using water sparingly.
• Approach: Denmark has policies on efficient water usage, that's also environment-friendly. Its water loss is among lowest in the world, at 7.29% (water loss as a ratio of water pumped out and sold). It treats 95% of waste-water generated, and re-uses it. And by 2030, Denmark's water sector will become climate-neutral.  (total CO2 emitted by water sector will be neutralised by efficient methods)
• India's water stress: More than 60 cr Indians face extreme water stress, and several die each year due to water stress. Demand by 2030 would be twice the supply (NITI estimate), and GDP growth will suffer. India's overall handling of water sector needs to change, and the near 50% water loss has to be drastically cut down. More than 70% water in urban India goes un-treated.
• Good tidings: Now more invstments are arriving in water-water treatment, and re-using will being too. Denmark has lessons for India in - (a) water loss, (b) water pricing, (c) waste-water treating, and (d) re-using treated water.
• Water loss: Since Indian municipalities lack bulk meters, and hence data, they are unable to arrest water losses. Leakages go unidentified. Denmarks installed those starting 1990s, and put a penalty tax from 1993 on water firms if their loss would be more than 10%. India must check water loss in the mains, via bulk meters. Bengaluru did it, and daily loss reduced from 56% to 27%. (4 crore litres saved daily)
• Water pricing: Danes pay a fixed rate per cubic metre of water, but Indians pay largely based on value of property owned. Politicians have stayed away from metering retail water consumption. Wastage continues at retail level. In Bengaluru, since 2020, it's mandatory for some home sizes to have meters (not for billing but judicious consumption).
• Water-water treating: Indian urban centres generate 72 billion litres per day (72368 m lpd or MLD). India can treat just 31841 MLD (44 % of sewage), and just 20236 MLD gets treated (so 52133 MLD is thrown into environment). Schemes like "Amrut" fund waste treatment, but they are going slow. Gases in waste water are a resource that can generate power, solid waste has phosphorus (manure), and treated water is good for irrigation. India can do a lot here. ETPs must be commercially designed to sell treated water, sludge (manure) and supply electricity to the grid. [ETP - Effluent Treatment Plants]
• Re-using treated water: Chennai reuses 20% of treated waste-water. India biggest TTROP (Tertiary Treatment Reverse Osmosis Plant) is here, that takes treated water from ETPs, ad supplies to an auto cluster (16000 m litres annually saved). Many states are emulating it.
• Summary: India must treat all waste-water in rural and urban areas, thereby reducing water stress hugely, and saving the environment too. Waste-water releases Nitrous Oxide in the air, 298 times more dangerous for ozone than CO2.
• EXAM QUESTIONS: (1) What are the four major steps Indian cities can take to sharply improve their water usage? Explain technically. (2) The role of ETPs (Effluent Treatment Plants) in municipal waste treatment is well-understood. Why haven't they picked up in India so far? Explain. (3) The comprehensive water management policy of India can sharply reduce the stresses felt in water, and change the destiny of a common Indian. Suggest a roadmap.

Read more on - Polity | Economy | Schemes | S&T | Environment

#watermanagement #resourcemanagement #Denmark #Chennai

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