The Fresh Water

The annual requirement of fresh water both for irrigation and other uses is continuously growing. The projected requirement of irrigation in 2025 A.D. will be 770 cubic km. as against 470 cubic km. in 1985, an increase of 39 per cent. About one-third of it is expected to be met through groundwater. Demand for other uses is likely to increase drastically from 70 cubic km. to 280 cubic km. during the same period.

The total requirement of drinking water in the country is as little as 4 per cent of groundwater and seven to 10 per cent of surface water. The Central Water Commission has estimated that total demand or fresh water will be doubled by 2025 A.D. This works out to be an average growth rate of 3.5 per cent per annum.

If we look at the annual water requirement for domestic purposes, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, the two most populous states, will have the largest requirement accounting for about 25 per cent of water requirement during 1991 and 2001. Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Orissa, Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and Tamilnadu will also require more water to satisfy their thrust by 2001 A.D. We all know that the drinking water crisis, sometimes, in some areas take alarming proportion.