Surface Water

This paper published in the Economic and Political Weekly describes the case of river Khari in Gujarat, which faced increasing amount of pollution due to the discharge of industrial effluents in the river and the efforts made  to solve the pollution problem.

The phenomenon of pollution started in the 1970s when Naroda, Odhav, Vatva and Narol on the eastern periphery of Ahmedabad city were promoted by the government. While there were zones for industries according to the type of waste generated, environmental considerations were overlooked and no provision was made for the safe disposal of industrial effluents. Most of the factories in the industrial estates were water intensive and all of them discharged effluents into the nearby Kharicut canal, which flows into the Khari river, a tributary of the Sabarmati. As the canal remained dry throughout the year, the government ignored its (mis)use.

'Every Drop Counts' shows how to channel rainwater and surface water to recharge groundwater via open wells. Tankas (underwater tanks) are an excellent solution to tackle water scarcity and conserve our ground water.

Courtesy- Barefoot College, Time- 11:30 minutes

This presentation provides an introduction to the book by the Centre for Science and Environment(CSE) titled Sewage Canal: How to Clean the Yamuna”. As per the presentation, several crore rupees have been sunk into plans to clean up the Yamuna.

Delhi jal board act (1998)

The Delhi jal board act, 1998 aims to provide for the establishment of a Board to discharge the functions of water supply, sewerage and sewage disposal and drainage within the National Capital Territory of Delhi and for matters connected therewith. The Government after the issue of the notification under sub-section (3) of Section 1, constituted the Delhi Water Board by notification in the official Gazette.

This presentation by M G Gopal of the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board deals with the water issues faced in the city. The issues presented include – (a) Inter-sectoral allocation (b) Meeting the demand (c) Maintaining quality standards (d) Reducing unaccounted for water (e) Recycle and reuse (f) Promoting rainwater and conservation (g) Implementation of CDS and (f) Is ‘privatisation’, a solution or a disaster?

This case study presents a erosion response model for watershed prioritisation in Bajaj sagar sub catchment of Mahi basin. The natural hydrologic processes like erosion of soil, movement of soil and its deposition in various parts of reservoir are very crucial phenomena occurring in any watershed. Erosion of soil is a very complex process which is affected by many factors and the loss caused is irreversible.

Micro-watershed level planning requires a host of inter-related information to be generated and studied in relation to each other. Remotely sensed data provides valuable and up-to-date spatial information on natural resources and physical terrain parameters.

These presentations deal with a case study of the work done in Chicago City in the United States of America to improve flood management and water quality. In order to save construction costs, the reservoir side walls are composed of geomembrane liner over compacted clay.

This article by Dr. Prakasham Tata traces the author’s childhood dream of doing something to improve public health in Vizianagaram by ameliorating the conditions of Pedda Cheruvu and to provide a better environment around its historical centers, namely the fort, music college, clock tower, arts and science college, and the park housing the tombs of the maharajas. 

This presentation by the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board deals with the Environment Action Plan (Part – B) for Bangalore. The presentation begins with a description of the drainage pattern of the city and the major rivers in and around it. The objectives of the EAP are set out as –

• Stopping flow of raw sewage into storm water drains.
• Achieving zero discharge of raw sewage into drains.
• Conveying sewage to treatment plants and treating to meet standards.
• Improving environment.
• Improving socio-economic status.