The quality of drinking water more than its availability will be the major challenge for humanity in future was the conclusion of the symposium on ‘Drinking water problems, challenges and solutions in Vidarbha’ held during the ‘Vidarbha Paani Parishad’ on Saturday. The symposium was organised by Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University in association with National Service Scheme, and Jankalyankari Samiti on Saturday at Vanamati Sabhagruha.

 

Dr Pawan Labhsetwar, former Chief Scientist, CSIR-NEERI; Dr Chandrakant Bhoyar, Deputy Director, Ground Surveys and Development Agency; and Dr Mukund Patrikar, President, Contd from page 1 Watershop Worldwide Pvt Ltd shed light on problems, challenges, and solutions regarding drinking water in Vidarbha. Dr Shriram Kawle, Pro Vice Chancellor, Gondwana University presided over the seminar. While the water is generally available in abundance in most parts of the region, the availability of clean drinking water has become an issue. Dr Pawan Labhsetwar explained various problems, challenges and also flagged solutions for clean drinking water in urban areas. He said that the contamination can enter at various stages of the supply chain. He identified water source sustainability, water source contamination, and competitive water demand as challenges for availability of clean drinking water in urban areas of the region. Dr Labhsetwar flagged the practice of collecting drinking water in sumps that are not cleaned, contaminate the clean water supplied through urban water supply network. Dr Chandrakant Bhoyar shed light on drinking water supply in rural areas that depends mostly on ground water supply. He said that there is limit to groundwater availability in Vidarbha and emphasised the importance of ground water recharge.

 

He explained that the geology in Vidarbha is such that the rocks have only 3 per cent water retention capacity and hence needs to be recharged to have water available in future. Dr Bhoyar emphasised that keeping aquifers contamination-free is critical as it can not be reversed. Excess use of fertilisers have started to contaminate the ground water that can affect drinking as well as agricultural water supply. Dr Bhoyar suggested opting for crops that need less water along with ground water recharge measures like rain water harvesting can ensure continuos ground water availability in future. Mukund Patrikar, in his address, encouraged the youths to explore career opportunities in water purification industry. He shed light on new and upcoming technologies like Electro-chlorinator, bacteria removal beads, and air to water machine that need professionals who can manufacture and market them to general public. Dr Shriram Kawle, in his presidential address, called on people to take responsibility for water conservation for the future generations. He said that the citizens use water excessively as it is available in abundance. He also added that there is need for change in mentality for sustained availability of clean drinking water and its purification. Rajendra Deshkar, former Hydrogeologist, compered the programme while Dr Ajay Poharkar proposed a vote of thanks.