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Water and Energy – Basic
Human Needs Col. Valmiki Katju
katju@sdalt.ernet.in
W ater
is one of the most important elements for the survival of living
beings that includes humans, animals and plant life. Even in space
exploration, the search for life forms is taken up on planets which
have some indication of traces of water. All living bodies have a
high percentage of water which is maintained for its very existence.
Water has also a direct bearing on energy, each complementing the
other in maintaining an ecological balance and on the other hand,
affecting the other to cause harm and degradation of the
environment. With the phenomenal increase in population especially
in developing countries of South and South East Asia, the demand of
water both for domestic and agricultural requirements and also for
energy has increased. There is an urgent need to assess this
additional requirement and ensure that it is met both for the rural
and urban sectors. A balance has to be maintained to make this
distribution equitable so that one sector’s demand is not effecting
the requirements of the other. It is also essential to understand
the dynamics of water and energy, and how one’s shortage affects the
other.
Depletion
of Water Sources
It is a
reality that water sources are depleting at a very fast rate. Most
of human requirements are met through surface water like rivers,
lakes and streams. Besides these, water extraction is resorted to
from ground water aquifers. In addition to depletion of surface
water, whatever is available is contaminated due to industrial
effluents, dumping of solid waste and mixing of sewage from
habitated areas. For example, River Yamuna which used to supply the
domestic needs of the city remains depleted due to off-take at
Wazirabad Headworks for municipal supply. Right from the Wazirabad
Headwork to Okhla, Yamuna is virtually a drain without any aquatic
life. In order to augment the domestic needs of water, ground water
sources are tapped. Digging tube wells and then extraction of water
needs energy which is also a limited resource.
Energy
requirements of such a huge population can only be met by different
methods of power generation. Developed countries are increasingly
getting dependent on nuclear power without realizing the dangers of
radiation in case of accidents and disposal of nuclear waste. Power
generation from fossil fuels is another example where non-renewable
fuels are being used. Hydro-power generation is the most
eco-friendly method although this can only be used where fast
flowing water bodies can be harnessed by way of dams or diversion
through channels which run turbines for generating electricity. What
is important, however, is the relationship between water and energy
and how they affect each other. As surface water availability
reduces, more reliance is on extraction of water from underground
aquifers. This extraction needs energy to pump up water over ground.
As the water table keeps going down the energy requirements
increase. The sum effect is a huge demand of energy which can be met
partially. Shortage of energy results in change in cropping
patterns, reduced agricultural outputs and finally in drought
situations leading to famine.
Climate
Change impact
Nature
has provided various resources that, if utilized properly, could
meet the sustenance needs of all life forms. Climate change impacts
the hydrological cycle and in turn the requirements of energy at a
global scale. Global warming due to large scale green house gas
emissions results in a rise in sea levels due to inordinate melting
of ice caps. A cycle of floods and droughts become a natural
phenomenon, the former devastating crops and causing salination in
coastal areas while the latter increases the demand for water and
energy. Due to rise in temperature evaporation losses from surface
water bodies also increase and the capacity of moisture retention on
ground gets depleted. Monsoon pattern gets altered, alternating from
heavy rains in one season causing the washing away of fertile top
soil and siltation in river beds. Lack of or irregular rains affects
agricultural sowing pattern and culminates in a loss of huge
agricultural revenue.
Water
Conservation and its Impact on Water and Energy
Water
management and conservation assume great importance as it has an
overbearing effect on domestic and agricultural requirements of
water and energy. In India there is evidence of highly scientific
methods of water conservation both in the rural and urban sectors.
Water tanks, baolis, tankas, kunds, hauz, wells, etc. were carved
out to augment availability of water both for village requirements
and urban centres and localities. This was done even though the
pressure of population was minimal. It has been scientifically
estimated that if monsoon water is conserved and harvested it can
meet the requirements for the entire year. Preventing run-offs is
the need of the hour. A well-planned strategy to conserve water and
harness natures bounty is necessary and no amount of investment
would be too much vis-à-vis the expenditure incurred by the
government for water supply and power generation. A holistic
approach to water re-charge policy has to be looked into and its
implementation carried out on a war footing. Watershed management
schemes need to be worked out in the rural sector to harness water
in catchment areas and create artificial water bodies near
habitations. This gigantic effort cannot be the sole responsibility
of the government and the society, community based organizations,
NGOs, and village level organizations like panchayats have to all
pitch in for a concerted effort.
Alternate
Sources of Energy
India is
blessed with solar energy for most part of the year. Quite a few
regions have high velocity winds and wind power can be harnessed.
These non conventional energy sources could augment domestic needs
like cooking and heating, and for power generation. Use of biomass
for generation of electricity to run small plants and for lighting
requirements of villages would certainly ease the energy load on
central power grids. It can also power small scale industries.
Biogass plants can meet domestic cooking needs and reduce the
requirement of wood needed for lighting wood burning cooking stoves
or chulhas. Hence, on a larger scale it would prevent deforestation.
It is also worth the trouble to look into the economic viability of
utilization of wind energy. Wind mills for power generation and
water extraction could be an excellent source of non-conventional
energy.
Conclusion
Water
and energy are one of the most essential needs for survival.
Besides tapping all resources, a change in consumption pattern
needs urgent attention. We are oblivious of the amount of water
and energy we humans waste or do not utilize. Although the stark
reality is for everyone to see, unless it effects directly an
individual, an attitude of "not my problem" prevails. We as
a nation have learnt to reconcile to our fate and do not wish to
exert ourselves to make a change for the better. For us five to
six hours without electricity has become acceptable. We have
acquiesced to one to two hours of water supply. We have forgotten
that access to clean drinking water is our right and 24 hour
lighting is not a luxury but a necessity. To improve our living
conditions and lead decent lives it is time we look into the
aspects of water and energy. q
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