1. WATER AND HEALTH
A Presentation by:
Sundaresan Subramanian (“Subi”)
at the 13th International Conference
Organized by:
India Development Coalition of America (IDCA), Chicago
at IIT Rice Campus, Wheaton, IL
On October 17, 2015
2. Incredible India!
An ancient country that traditionally worships the five elements
- severely impacted now by the abuse of the same elements!
3. Water and Health
A Snapshot of Current Water Scenario in India
• Groundwater – a major source of water in the country
• Water sources polluted by chemicals and microbes
• Waterborne infections cause majority of sicknesses
• Many critical issues related to water and health
4. Water Pollution in India
Some Media Reports
• “An alarming 80% of India’s surface water is polluted”
(WaterAid, an international organization working for water -TOI, June 28, 2015)
• “Water pollution making Aravali villagers sick”
(TOI, September 29, 2015)
• “Water Leads to Ailments in Pallavaram”
(New Indian Express, August 18, 2014)
• “70% of India’s water supply is polluted with sewage effluents”
(United Nations Children’s Fund Resource report - India Water Portal)
5. Water and Health
Water - Boon or Bane?
• Water pollution leads to life-
threatening diseases
• Major parameters of concern:
Fluoride
Arsenic
Chrome, Salt
Dyes and Chemicals
Sewage
Microbes
6. Water and Health - Key Issue # 1
1. High Fluoride
Health Impact
Solution
Fluoride Removal Unit
7. Water and Health – Key Issue # 2
2. Arsenic
Health Impact
• Highly carcinogenic
• Skin lesions,cancers in the
liver, lungs, kidney, bladder
Solution
Arsenic Removal Unit
Issues: Poor Maintenance, Clogging
8. Water and Health - Key Issue # 2
2. Arsenic – In-situ treatment
• Replaces conventional “pump and treat” systems
• Demo project thru’ a CSG grant initiative in WB
• Many companies implemented such projects
9. Water and Health - Key Issue # 3
3. Chromium
• Untreated Chromate industrial waste in TN
• Yellow-leachate percolates through ground
• Contaminates soil and ground water all around
• A critical issue for long - yet to be addressed!
10. Water Quality and Health - Key Issue # 3
3. Chromium in Tanneries
• Tanneries use chromium salts and tanning liquor
• Clusters have Common Effluent Treatment Plants
• Salt used for hide and skin preservation
• High salinity of effluents impact water quality
• Need innovative technologies for salt reduction
11. Water and Health - Key Issue # 4
4. Dyes and Chemicals
• Used widely in the textile and garment industries
• Polluted effluents flow into water-bodies; leads to
• Skin diseases, respiratory problems and gastritis
• Serious concern to farmers, livestock and residents
• Clusters have Common Effluent Treatment Plants
but problems persist
12. Water and Health - Key Issue # 5
5. Sewage
The Water & Sanitation Crisis in India
• Huge and Growing population;
• Poor hygiene practices
• 302 Class I cities and 467 Class II towns with
no sewage treatment facilities
• Over three-fourths of the sewage flows
untreated into water sources, causing stink,
breeding insects impacting human health
13. Water and Health - Key Issue # 6
6. Bio-pollution
• Microbial contamination - a predominant form
of pollution in surface water bodies
• Leakage through aging water supply and
sanitation systems
• Contamination of water sources by leaching
of sewage
• Poor public hygiene practices
• Severe impact on human health
14. Water and Health
Challenges
• Multiple sources of pollution: rural, urban, and industrial
• Water pollution is predominantly manmade
• Poor management, lack of concern, unclear laws, corruption,
indifferent attitudes and aging systems contribute to the issues
• Pressing need to address critical issues innovatively
15. The Way Forward
• Shift focus to local management, control and distribution
• Relook how we manage our water resources
• Plan on Sustainable groundwater management
• Protect and prioritise local waterbodies –like ponds and wells
• Reducing industrial water footprint
• Recycling and reuse of waste water
16. Some Local Solutions
Pudukkulam – a very old unpolluted drinking water
pond in Pudukottai still in existence!
Ram sagar, an old pond recently revived by
villagers, in Bapu Gaon, Rajasthan
17. More Local Solutions
This step-well near the Karnimata temple in the Aravalli region is among the
several water bodies revived by a civil engineer in Rajasthan
18. Water and Health
Recommendations
• Outreach through public/private partnerships; innovative
environmental campaigns; awareness & hygiene education
• Rehabilitate old wells with purification equipment
• Water harvesting, or capturing and storing pure rainwater
Surprisingly, sometimes the old ways are the best!
