Delhi Water Crisis: Did you know that five of the world’s 20 largest cities facing severe water stress are in India? Delhi ranks second on this list, according to the Composite Water Management Index released by NITI Aayog in 2019.
Recently, in May 2024, Delhi experienced one of its worst heatwaves, with temperatures rising above 50 degrees Celsius in many areas. This extreme weather event claimed more than 30 lives in just one month. Unfortunately, Delhi couldn’t meet the increased water demand, leaving many residents struggling for basic water needs.
In an effort to tackle this water scarcity using technology, we spoke with Mr. Advait Kumar, the founder of BOON.
Delhi’s Modern Water Initiatives In 2024
Delhi is leading the way by investing in new technologies for water purification and desalination to conserve and increase water availability. Among these innovations, smart water purifiers are making an impact with multi-stage filters that effectively remove harmful impurities while using less water.
The Internet of Things (IoT) plays a big role here. Continuous monitoring and real-time checks on water quality and system health can be done in homes, hotels, and corporate settings, ensuring reliable performance. The government is partnering with startups to set up Water ATMs across different locations. These ATMs use IoT to monitor water quality and the state of filters, ensuring proper functionality and a steady water supply.
Another challenge is dealing with brine, a byproduct of desalination. Creative solutions are being considered to manage brine in an environmentally friendly way, ensuring minimal harm to marine life and enhancing the sustainability of desalination as a water source for urban areas.
Delhi’s Water Revolution: From ATMs To Smart Infrastructure
The Delhi government is working with tech companies to scale up innovative water management solutions. This aims to improve access to clean water and reduce wastage.
One key initiative is the deployment of Water ATMs in public spaces. Developed in collaboration with technology startups, these ATMs replace traditional open water taps, which often lead to water wastage and health risks. By offering clean drinking water at a nominal cost per liter, Water ATMs democratize access to safe water while minimizing wastage.
The government is also collaborating with tech companies to upgrade the city’s water infrastructure. Smart water meters and IoT-enabled devices are being installed across the water distribution network. These partnerships aim to develop a more sustainable and resilient water management system in Delhi, ensuring that the city’s growing water needs are efficiently and environmentally met.
How Data Analytics And IoT Are Revolutionizing Water Management In Delhi?
Data analytics is a crucial tool for managing Delhi’s water resources and predicting future water needs, playing a key role in addressing the city’s water challenges. By combining data analytics with IoT-enabled devices and smart water meters, the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) can gather and analyze vast amounts of data on water consumption, flow rates, and system health.
This data helps identify consumption patterns, detect inefficiencies, and forecast future demand based on population growth, seasonal changes, and historical trends. Real-time monitoring systems, such as SCADA and GIS, provide continuous data on the water distribution network. This allows early detection of leaks, pressure drops, and contamination, enabling quick responses and reducing water losses.
Data analytics also supports strategic planning and policy development by offering actionable insights into resource allocation and sustainability initiatives. Predictive models help anticipate water shortages and ensure effective management to meet the city’s growing demand.
Challenges In Adopting New Water Technologies
One primary challenge is the reliance on conventional water management systems, such as large water tanks and 20L water jars, which are inefficient and contribute to microplastic contamination. Transitioning to more sustainable options like smart water purifiers and IoT-enabled systems requires substantial investment and public awareness campaigns.
Another issue is the widespread use of inefficient water purifiers that waste up to 85% of water during the filtration process. To address this, the government should introduce guidelines to restrict the sale of such designs and promote water-efficient technologies.
Maintenance of water purification and management systems is another hurdle. Regular upkeep is essential for optimal functioning, yet often neglected. IoT-enabled devices can help by providing alerts for necessary maintenance, preventing system failures and reducing downtime.
To achieve a sustainable water future, Delhi must upgrade its water infrastructure, encourage smart technologies, and ensure strict regulations to promote water conservation and efficiency.
Future Solutions For Water Crisis In The Era Of Climate Change
In the next five years, significant advancements in water management are expected, driven by climate change and the growing demand for sustainable water solutions. Technology will play a central role in overcoming these challenges and ensuring a secure water future.
Smart water purifiers, equipped with advanced features to monitor water quality and system health in real-time, are expected to become standard in homes, businesses, and public institutions. This will aid in widespread water conservation efforts.
The integration of IoT across the water grid will provide comprehensive control over water distribution and quality management. Coupled with AI-driven data analytics, this will allow for precise predictions of water demand throughout the year, facilitating effective resource allocation and planning.
Advancements in geographic-specific water purification systems are also expected. These systems will be tailored to the unique water quality and mineral content of different regions, ensuring efficient and sustainable water treatment.
Alarming Conditions In Delhi
A recent report from the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) highlights a critical situation: 99.1% of Delhi’s net annual groundwater has been extracted. According to The Economic Times, the report reveals that Delhi’s net annual groundwater recharge for 2023 was 0.38 billion cubic meters (bcm), with only 0.34 bcm available for extraction. Despite the reduced recharge, groundwater extraction in Delhi increased significantly, rising from 98.16% in 2022 to 99.13% in 2023.
