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Domestic Sector :
The majority of our rural population, potable domestic water is a daily problem.
Women folks carry water from long distances and waste time for domestic
water supply. During the last century, only 25% of the rural population in Africa
are served adequate potable water, while for urban population in Africa 70% got
the benefit of potable water. In India, 200 million people do not have access to
safe drinking water and 200 million man days are lost every year. Availability of
water and its quality in the domestic sector particularly in the rural area is a
serious issue. Wastage of flowing water in kitchen, toilets etc. in countries like
India is a daily affairs, but in advanced countries toilet and domestic wastes are
recycled. In Japan, waterless toilets have emerged.
Water Pricing / Cost Recovery :
Water was earlier treated as an unlimited resource and providing water for
social cause, be it for irrigation or drinking, is the responsibility of the
Government. Industries used to draw water with or without permission from the
source for its use. Water charges, even if levied, were so meager that collection
of water charges was costlier for the revenue Departments. The scenario has
drastically changed now. Cost of infrastructure, its operation and maintenance,
in all sectors have become enormous and unless water charges are enhanced
no Governments can afford to bear the burden indefinitely. Water pricing policy
has been discussed in all the countries and appropriate legislatures framed.
Israel, for example, enforced water pricing as a tool for integrated water
resource management. Water pricing policy is a sensitive issue for all
Governments because of its immediate impact on the people. Conceptually at
least, water pricing could effect :-
Water allocation between competing uses
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Water conservation
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Generation of additional revenue which could be used to operate and
maintain water systems, and even repay part of all investment costs.
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Cropping pattern
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Income distribution
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Efficiency of water management, and
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Overall environmental impacts.
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