3rd Asian Regional Conference

AN INTEGRATED WATER MANAGEMENT : A NEED AT PRESENT AND

FUTURE

Dilip Yewalekar, Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd. Jalgaon 425001 INDIA

P. O. Box 72, Bambhori, JALGAON 425001Maharashtra INDIA
Tel: + 91 257 225 80 11/12, Fax: + 91 257 225 81 11/ 22
(deelip.yewalekar@jains.com)

ABSTRACT

Now, every body is aware about scarcity of water and its importance. Thus, it could be called
as a ‘Water Gold’. As per the report of ‘Water Commission, Government of India’, although
the country has made huge investment in water & power projects in all states, all the states
are facing problems related to water and power and day by day intensity is increasing rapidly.
It does not mean because of fluctuation of rainfall and global warming these problems are
occurring. Fortunately, India and Asian countries are not so far affected by Global warming
like USA and Latin America. It is true, in 15 % of the rainfall / rain water, we are trying to
satisfy our all needs of agriculture, domestic and industrial the rest of 85 % water we are
allowing to waste by several ways. Of course, it is not possible to use all 85 % water, at least
if we can manage to save and use another 15 %, it could be the great achievement for the
nation and around 75 % problems related to water can be easily encountered. Similar situation
is existing more or less percentage in all countries. Now, this is the high time to think and
establish an Integrated Water Management Technique involving every body, All Government
Department (Planning, Irrigation, Agricultural, Power, Municipalities, Water Supply) Private
Sectors, NGOs, Farmers & End Users together. This subject / concept should be taught right
from school level and be updated to all at regular basis.

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AN INTEGRATED WATER MANAGEMENT : A NEED

AT PRESENT & FUTURE

Dilip Yewalekar, Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd. Jalgaon 425001 INDIA

P. O. Box 72, Bambhori, JALGAON 425001Maharashtra INDIA
Tel: + 91 257 225 80 11/12, Fax: + 91 257 225 81 11/ 22
(deelip.yewalekar@jains.com)

ABSTRACT

Now, every body is aware about scarcity of water and its importance. Thus, it could be called
as a ‘Water Gold’. As per the report of ‘Water Commission, Government of India’, although
country has made huge investment in water & power projects in all states, all the states are
facing problems of water and power and day by day intensity is increasing rapidly. It does
not mean because of fluctuation of rainfall and global warming these problems are occurring.
Fortunately, India and Asian countries are not so far affected by Global warming like USA,
Latin America. It is true, in 15 % of the rainfall / rain water, we are trying to satisfy our all
needs of Agriculture, domestic & industrial, rest of 85 % water we are allowing to waste by
several ways. Of course, it is not possible to use all 85 % water, at least if we can manage
to save & use another 15 %, it could be the great achievement for the nation and around
75 % problems related to water can be easily encountered. Similar situation is existing more
or less percentage in all countries. Now, this is the high time to think and establish an Integrated
Water Management Technique involving every body, All Government Department (Planning,
Irrigation, Agricultural, Power, Municipalities, Water Supply) Private Sectors, NGOs, Farmers
& End Users together. This subject / concept should be taught right from school level and be
updated to all at regular basis.

CONCEPT

Concept is based on local area specific water creation by means of different techniques and
methods. e.g. water harvesting, rain harvesting, water conservation, recharging of well,
controlling water pollution, reuse of drain water, ETP & reuse of ETP water and precise use
of created water for drinking, agricultural, industrial & power as per the requirement by using
different techniques like piping water distribution, provision of controlling equipment, micro
irrigation, mulching, lining, proper planning of Agricultural land & crop in efficient and
economical ways. By introducing and implementing this concept, lot of problems like water
for drinking & agricultural, power problems, water & air pollution, drainage, disposal of
effluent, deforestation, etc. can be sorted out very easily in the one time investment. Since
the concept starts focusing right from villages, it can generate lot of direct and indirect
employments. Thus, unemployment issues can be easily sorted out easily with sparing some
extra funds or subsidy by the Government. It can also stop migration of people from villages
(rural area) to cities and thereby many problems in cities / metros can be easily controlled.

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Very important issue if all the villages become self sufficient in every country, then economical
& financial growth of Country can be achieved very fast.

Here, remember the words of ‘Mahatma Gandhi’ (God father of India) during British period,
he used to say that if you start development (revolution) right from village, then country can
develop very fast. Now every body must accept this truth, if really want to do the development
of the country.

It involves closure community involvement in all aspects of the land and water use management
right from the Rain Drop to Micro Drop - planning, execution and maintenance. This approach
will ensure greatest benefits to the largest numbers at sustainable cost.

NEED OF INTEGRATED WATER MANAGEMENT

1. It is a fact that more than 97% of earth's salty water is found in oceans, about 2 % is fresh
but in ice from, less than 1% consists of fresh liquid water in few million liters only. Please
understand surface and ground aquifers charging by rains are only available for our all
needs – domestic, agriculture and industry which is not enough.

2. Because of industrialization, urbanization & increase population demand for water has
been increasing at faster rate in the recent years. Also due to injudicious use of water and
other reasons like lack of water management, wastage of water. Such a faster growth of
water demand in the face of emerging supply constraints is likely to result in a supply gap
for drinking, industry & agriculture near future. We are surely heading for growing water
stress, if not crises before the year 2025. On other hand, inspite of increasing in investment
on water management and irrigation sector in the successive plans, the growth of irrigated
area has been declining in each plan period. Because new generation do not like to work
in agricultural activities and every body want to go to big cities and luxurious job rather
than working in the field.

3. Besides these, owing to injudicious use of canal water, a considerable amount of cultivated
area mainly from the agriculturally advanced states are suffering from water logging and
salinity problems. Also canal water is being misused by industry and other purpose. It is
observed that many canals are polluted by industries and cities and water can be suitable
neither for agriculture nor drinking.

4. Yet another threat to the available land is erosion of top soil. Recent official estimate
indicates that a total of 141 million hectares of land in India i.e. about 42% of the total
geographical area is subject to water and wind erosion which is very difficult to control.

5. First Green Revolution - Nehru's era 1950, was sustained by intensive cropping pattern
resulting from application of hybrid seeds, chemical fertilizers and network of dam &
canal irrigation with huge investment and funds / loans from abroad. Predominant use
of these techniques have created a paradoxical situation. In highly irrigated area of
Northern India, the land has become saline and water logged because of the excessive

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use water and chemicals. On the other hand in state like Maharashtra, Gujarath, South
(Middle & South India) the water tables have gone very deep because of lot of drilling
of wells have bee made. Because of this situation the agricultural productivity is affected
adversely.

6. On the other hand, the farmers are following the conventional inefficient agronomical
and irrigation practices under different names like flood irrigation, furrow irrigation, etc.
with the problems and disadvantages as below:
a. increasingly build up salinity making soils unsuitable for cultivation.
b. loss of nutrients due to deep percolation and seepage resulting in higher use of fertilizers
and water.
c. Weed growth leads to increased cost of production of crops.
d. A quality crop can not be achieved due to improper irrigation, poor physical, chemical
and biological fertility of soil and disturbances in physio-bio-chemical processes in
the plants.
e. More water requirement due to heavy losses in conveyance, evaporation, percolation
and seepage and due to orthodox practice by the farmer to over irrigate the fields,
the overall water applied to the crop is much more than the physiological activities,
the ultimate result being a decrease in crop production.
f. Exposure of crop to cyclic changes of water stress and over watering disturbs the
physiological productivities. This ultimately leads to decrease in crop yield.

7. In cities, water demand per capita has increased by 50 to 200 % comparatively of rural
area. Because of hotels, water parks, public parks, other entertainment plazas, business
places, transportation, too many vehicles and habits of people. Unfortunately, city public
are not fully aware about the importance of water, conservation of water and from where
water is coming. They know municipality is responsible for supply water to them. They
are consuming more water and converting the fresh water into waste water which is really
going waste without using fully.

8. In Industry, lot of water is being used for manufacturing, cleaning and other activities.
Around 60 -80 % fresh water is being just wasted and converted into effluent. Each
industry must audit the real requirement of water and find our other alternative like vacuum
cleaner, compressor cleaner etc for cleaning purpose and packing. They should also set
up ETP and reuse treated water for gardening and cleaning purpose. They can plan for
roof rain water harvesting method and collect & reuse rain water.

Under these circumstances it is highly essential to think and take decision aggressively to
conserve and use properly each & every drop of water right now.

Integrated Water Management

Surely, we can overcome the problems, and can meet challenges and achieve the break
through in agricultural productivity by laying greater emphasis on higher water use efficiency
i.e. utilizing the each drop of water, by planning and adapting the proper Integrated Water
Management Techniques by following methods.

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1. Micro water shed / water harvesting

As per the topography, soil type and rainfall micro water shed & water harvesting measures
have to be adapted by each farmers in his own farm to conserve the water. Farmer should
think & treat whatever rain water falling in his field, is his own property so every drop
must be conserved by any means. He should not allow to waste a single drop of water
from his farm. Percolated water can help to increase water table in ground and charge
wells.

2. Roof rain water harvesting

In cities, every house should make arrangement to collect roof rain water and store in
tank or allow to drain into the ground instead of simply allowing to waste on road side
drains. Thereby the demand of fresh water will minimized. Industry can use this method
and store and use water for their cleaning activities.

3. Reuse of ETP water.

In cities Municipality should set up Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) for sewage water and
reuse treated water for agricultural and garden. They can go with simple Biological ETP
instead of going for costly treatment plant. Industries should be made compulsory by law
to set up their own ETP plant in their factory and reuse the treated water for gardens and
trees. Also it is possible for each houses, colonies, complex to make small size ETP plant
and reuse treated water and waste for gardening. Thereby the fresh water demand can
be minimized.

4. Lining of canals, lakes and ponds.

To prevent seepage losses from the canals, lakes and ponds plastic or cement lining are
very effective. Proposals for lining systems however need careful consideration since lining
tend to reduce ground water recharge, reducing scope of conjunctive use.

5. Multching
It is one type of lining but to be used on surface to prevent evaporation of water. Different
types of multching films and methods are available in the market. Plastic multching film
can be used for open water sources, ponds, lakes, tanks. For plants grass or plastic multch
can be used to prevent evaporation losses. Some plastic compounds are available which
can be spread on large water source to form a thin layer of plastic which can prevent
evaporation. Thereby water losses can be minimized.

6. Equitable distribution
Many existing canal and water distribution systems are not able to supply adequate and
equitable quantum of water to all the farmers and users. A rotational system of supply
of water if strictly implemented will not only meet the ends of the equity but also economize
the use of water. Lack of adequate control arrangements in the canal and water distribution
systems also adds to the problem of equitable distribution of water.

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7. Conjunctive Use
Conjunctive use of ground water with surface water could improve the irrigation efficiency.
Ground water has shown higher productivity as compared to irrigation with water brought
over a long distance. There is an automatic control on the use of ground water since
individuals have to pump water and pay for it. A judicious planning for conjunctive use
will improve the irrigation efficiency.

8. Better Irrigation Practices

On farm irrigation practices prevailing in state also result in the wastage of water leading
to poor irrigation efficiency. Most of the farmers still irrigate the way their predecessors
did thousands of years ago by flooding or channeling water through parallel furrows.

9. Irrigation Scheduling
Better irrigation scheduling practices can also improve the irrigation efficiency. For example
it is now well established that water is required more at critical stages of crop growth
and the water stress during other period has negligible impact on yields.Additional
watering do not add proportionately more to the yield. Farmers should therefore be made
aware that more water does not necessarily mean more yield. Greater efforts should be
made to train farmers in the use of irrigation scheduling methods appropriate to their
mode of production. Agricultural extension program could help spread the benefits of
these water conservation techniques.

10. Micro Irrigation

It is proven method of irrigation which should be made compulsory to every farmer and
also be provided on subsidized rate by the Government. Micro Irrigation systems means
the frequent application of required and measured quantities of water directly on or
below the soil surface, usually as discrete drops, continuous drops, tiny streams, or
miniature spray through emitter or applicator placed along a low pressure delivery
systems consisting of piping network and emitting devices. It has greater advantages of
water saving, higher water used efficiency and increase in yield.

ADVANATGES OF INTEGRATED WATER MANAGEMENT

1. Water Saving (Water conservation)

As mentioned earlier, since water is being supplied through a network of pipes, conveyance
distribution systems, evaporation losses, transmission, seepage losses from ditches, runoff
etc. are eliminated and thus saving of water from 40 to 80%.

2. Electricity Saving (Energy Conservation)

By proper planning and designing, the power requirement can be optimized and greater
saving in energy can be achieved. Advantage of gravity head can be taken to convey
the water thus no extra energy is required. By adapting different method like Drip
Irrigation, micro sprinkler, automation power requirement can be reduced.

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3. Agricultural productivity increase

Because of right adaptation of irrigation technique like drip and sprinkler irrigation, yield
of many crop has increased by 30 – 70 % in the same land than the conventional system.

4. Barren land under Cultivation

Barren and waste land can be brought under irrigation and cultivation, thus resulting
increase in production per unit area.

5. Protecting environment
Since waste, barren and uncultivated land can be brought under irrigation and cultivations
under different crops, it saves the soils from degraded or saline. It also avoids soil erosion
and saves lands by not allowing top soil and nutrients to runoff. It helps to increase the
ground water table and recharging underground aquifers. Because of Greenery the pure
air can be generated and proper eco system can be balanced.

6. Employment
Direct and Indirect Employment can be generated which can solve the problem of
unemployment. Direct employment covers Agricultural, Transportation, Fuel, Civil works,
Electrical works, Piping Works, Medical, Educational, Mechanical works, Computer Works
etc. Indirect employment includes manufacturing companies, agro inputs companies,
hitech input companies, Processing companies, tractor and machinery, transporters,
Importers & Exporters, brokers, traders, suppliers, retailers and other related people.

Conclusion

Though in its infancy, Integrated Water Management in India is destined to play a pivotal role
in revolutionizing agriculture and influencing other related industries, and serve as a common
denominator. World decision makers are also gradually becoming aware of the enormous
potential of it in offering self reliance and higher standard of living to their people. Human
can create another human but can not create water, so only one way left for us at present
and future is ‘An integrated water management’.