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.
