7% State habitations have no supply water

Despite best efforts at all level still 6.8 per cent habitations in the State have no infrastructure to provide basic 40 LPCD of water supply.

As on March 31 this year, out of total 1,57,103 habitations, 5.17 per cent of them, that is, 8,119 habitations, are to be covered under normal norm of water requirements.

Only 3.8 per cent of rural households have tap water connection. The State Government's Water Allotment Committee (WAC) has already allotted 2,398.5 cusecs of water to industries whereas its own water policy paper of 2007 had predicted that by 2051 industrial requirement of surface water would be of 1,750 cusecs and ground water would be of 200 cusecs from the current 100 cusecs.

Out of 30 districts, 16 have fluoride contamination. In the vulnerable areas, saline, iron and arsenic contaminations have become endemic.

Nearly 6.5 per cent drinking water sources have permanently closed while 2 per cent supply sources have been defunct.

These are some of alarming statics of as far as drinking water in Odisha is concerned. These and more such issues came up for discussion in a workshop on Water Security for Drinking and Small Livelihoods in Odisha being organised by Anwesha Trust held in the city recently.

“We have over extracted ground water without any regulatory framework; surface water is almost receding because of various factors like overuse, climate change, deforestation, industrial and other uses. The only option left for us is 'rain water harvesting' and community efforts,”  said Japan Padhi of the National Institute of Development (NID).

He further added, "Community is the best manager of water resources but they are not involved in policy framing.”

While presenting the water policy analysis, water expert Bimal Panda argued that whereas the National Water Policy 2012 has taken a narrow vision on drinking water priorities, the Odisha State Water Policy 2007 has some ambitious and progressive provisions but these are not translated into action.

It has been reported that where Panchayats have been handed over management of water bodies and structurers due to lack of expert knowledge and adequate manpower they are unable to do so.

Another alarming development is industries and private entities are using ground water through over extraction and exploration. The Central Ground Water Board has already warned of dipping of water level.

“We don't know why the Government is reluctant to take action against polluting industries and those who are over extracting ground water,” said a participant.

Apart from these, the Government should come forward to ensure cleanliness, hygiene and contamination free supply of water in villages and towns, demanded the experts, who also expressed serious concern over of use of chemical fertiliser and pesticides contaminating both ground and surface water.