Drinking Water: Quality & Challenges:
• Metro cities of Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai failed in almost 10 out of 11 quality parameters tested by the Bureau of Indian Standards.
• Composite water Management Index: India ranks 120/122 countries.

Cause of poor water quality:
• Mixing of surface water & ground water (Arsenic, fluoride contamination)
• Pipeline not maintained – contamination.
• Water supply line & sewerage line running side by side.
• Digging in cities & no hygiene – liberal source of pollution

Impact:
• Harmful health impacts: water borne diseases ~ 70%
• Tourist inflow will decrease – water, air quality low.
• Plastic pollution: bottled water gives rise to plastic pollution
• Wasting resources: for 1 liter of RO or bottled water, many liters of water used.
• RO is expensive & deprived of nutrients.

Challenges:
• Bacteria & solid wastes including chemicals hence need treatment – only chlorination not enough.
• Distribution & supply side quality different – need to pinpoint the issue.
• Boiling of water may not be enough anymore: consumer cannot do much.
• Water is a state subject: Federal structure.

Way Forward:
• Data based support system – water quality should be tested frequently.
• Involvement of all citizens – sensitization & awareness.
• BSI standard should be mandatory.
• Accountability needs to be fixed.
• Long distance travel & treatment should be localized.
• Proper maintenance - pricing should be recovered.
• Upgrade treatment plant - killing bacterial waste primary concern: now dissolved solids content increased.
• New technology (ion exchange) & efficient water refining systems.

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