Punjab: Stop wastage of water, ensure water conservation
Punjab: Maintenance of Tubewells and Pumps Water is the lifeline for all living beings. Without water, survival is almost impossible. Water is truly the elixir of life. In the past, cities grew along river banks and villages settled near ponds that were completely dependent on rainwater harvesting. These rivers and ponds were the primary sources of water for human habitation, providing drinking water for both humans and animals. In earlier times, our immune system was strong enough to absorb water from these sources. However, in the modern era, due to the threat of contamination, deep tubewells were installed to provide drinking water. In rural and remote areas, deep tubewells were used for both irrigation and drinking water.
In metropolises, a large number of tubewells were installed in various areas while residents installed submersible motor pumps in their homes, agricultural fields and farmhouses. Submersible motor pumps also help maintain rainwater harvesting systems, ensuring that the groundwater level is protected for the future. However, due to technical problems, many submersible pumps break down during the summer season. Even though the municipal corporation has made efforts to interlink tubewells, if one motor breaks down, it disrupts water supply in the locality and affects water pressure. The operations and maintenance wing of the municipal corporation should stock extra motors to replace faulty ones immediately. They should also have a dedicated team to service and replace submersible motors. If there is a will, there is a way. In Jalandhar, a project is underway to supply river water for drinking, and we hope the local self-government department will already decide to buy more submersible pumps and accessories.
Timely servicing of water pumps
Water and air are essential for survival. While nature provides these resources in abundance, it is our responsibility to use and conserve them wisely. With the onset of summer, water consumption increases significantly, making it important to ensure uninterrupted supply to households. Therefore, municipal authorities must get tubewells, water pumps and other equipment serviced and repaired on time before the summer begins. Apart from the increased demand for drinking water, water use for irrigation and other purposes increases in summer. Citizens must actively prevent wastage and adopt conservation measures. Municipal bodies may need to regulate domestic supply by fixing specific hours and restricting excessive water use for activities such as car washing and gardening. Given the alarming depletion of groundwater in our region, efforts to recharge reservoirs are essential.
Additionally, uncontrolled deforestation and large-scale infrastructure projects have disrupted the ecological balance, reducing rainfall and making water scarcity even worse. A definite strategy should be developed to prevent felling of trees and promote plantation of saplings to protect the environment. Households should follow water regulations, and the agriculture sector should explore crop diversification to reduce demand. Industrial units should install rainwater harvesting systems and wastewater filtration units. Sewage treatment plants (STPs) should purify wastewater for use in parks and plantations, thereby conserving municipal water for domestic needs. The state water works department should take scientific measures to improve drinking water supply by carrying out regular maintenance of machinery, repairing leaks and replacing old pipelines. These steps are crucial to maintain water supply in extreme heat conditions. Long-term solutions should also be developed to address the growing water crisis.
Reduce dependence on groundwater
The municipal corporation can take several steps to ensure smooth water supply during summers. Regular water audits can identify areas with water loss, wastage and malfunctioning tubewells, allowing necessary corrective action to be taken. Replacing old pipelines with new ones can reduce leakage and minimize water loss. The Punjab Municipal Building Bylaws-2010 includes provisions for rainwater harvesting, which should be implemented to help recharge groundwater and reduce pressure on municipal supplies. Educating residents about water conservation and implementing practices such as metered connections and rational water charges can reduce wastage. Punjab has achieved 100 percent tap water supply to all households and is pursuing canal-based drinking water supply projects to provide clean, safe water to villages and cities. Cities such as Ludhiana, Jalandhar and Patiala are among these ongoing water projects, which should be prioritized to reduce dependence on groundwater. Upgrading water treatment plants and enhancing supply infrastructure can help prevent waterborne diseases and ensure adequate water supply.
