Rainwater harvesting, future of water conservation

ALLAHABAD: The administration and people in one voice emphasised the need to conserve water on the occasion of the World Water Day on Tuesday. The district officials said attempts should be made to popularise rainwater harvesting.
Various seminars and meetings were held here to mark the day. The officials urged the people to save every drop of water. The primary focus was on safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene.
According to an estimate, 35% of water is wasted every day in the city.
Officials said though people have become more conscious about saving water, more needs to be done. Rainwater harvesting (RWH) can help address the problem to a great extent, they added.
Chief development officer GS Naveen Kumar told TOI that more stress has been laid to set up rain harvesting methods in city buildings. He sought active public participation to take the rainwater harvesting method in all areas including educational institutions, play grounds, high rise buildings etc.
Kumar said there should be proper water management so that its wastage could be checked.
Experts also stress on telling schoolchildren about the importance of water conservation.
Preventing contamination of water resources and providing public access to safe drinking water is must as water-borne diseases constitute 10 per cent of the world's disease burden, say water experts.
The demand for water in the world may exceed its supply by 40% in the next 20 years due to global warming and population growth.
There is a proposal to set up rainwater harvesting measures in every building here between 2011-2020.
Depleted urban water supply: Demand for water is growing in most cities as every urban citizen requires almost double the amount of water needed by a rural citizen. Urban population in India has grown almost five times between 1951 (62.44 million) and 2001 (286.08). Not long ago, most of the Indian cities were self-sufficient in meeting their water needs from the extensive urban water bodies. But things have changed today with most of the municipalities having stretched their limits to find water for the growing urban population.