How to live sustainably every day (Part 4) - Hole in the bucket

Of all the environmental issues we discuss, water raises the gloomiest predictions. Whether or not we believe in the water wars to come, we’ve at least seen spats in front of street taps. In most Indian cities, we ought to conserve water in our homes and gardens.“But we have no water problem!” say many householders. Yes, if you live in a privileged neighbourhood, there may always be water coming out of your taps. But what middle class families pay for water does not reflect the actual cost of purifying it and piping it into our houses.Poorer neighbourhoods may get what looks like ‘free’ water from street taps and lorries. But a woman who spends half her day waiting with her pot loses time she might spend caring for her family and earning a living. A girl appointed to carry water for the family’s needs usually misses school to do the job.

Water first for agriculture, not industry, in Maharashtra

In a decision termed “historic” and “revolutionary” by Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, the State government has changed its policy on water allocation, giving priority to agriculture over industry Mr. Chavan announced the decision in the Legislative Council, where the controversial Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2011 was passed on Wednesday. Reversing its earlier move to divert irrigation water for industrial use, Mr. Chavan said that as per the changed order of priority, water would be allocated first for drinking purposes, followed by agriculture and then industry. With this amendment, the Bill would be re-tabled in the Assembly. “Food security and farmers are our top priority. That does not mean we give any less importance to industry. If need be, we will buy water for industrial purposes, but will not divert irrigation water,” Mr. Chavan said.