1

MANAGEMENT OF RIVER WATER IN INDIA

PROJECT SUBMITTED TO:

Ms. ERITRIYA ROY
(FACULTY OF ECONOMICS)
PROJECT SUBMITTED BY:

PRIYANKA PRIYADARSHINI
SEMESTER I, SECTION B,
B.A. LL.B. (HONS.)

ROLL NO. 115

SUBMITTED ON: 10TH OCTOBER, 2014

HIDAYATULLAH NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY

RAIPUR, CHHATTISGARH

CERTIFICATE OF DECLARATION
I hereby declare that this research work titled Management of river water in India is
my own work and represents my own ideas, and where others ideas or words have been
included, I have adequately cited and referenced the original sources. I also declare that I have
adhered to all principles of academic honesty and integrity and have not misrepresented or
fabricated or falsified any idea/data/fact/source in my submission.

...
(PRIYANKA PRIYADARSHINI)

Date:

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
First & foremost, I would like to thank my Economics teacher Prof. Ms. Eritriya Roy for
giving me opportunity to work on this project named Management of River Water in
India. Her guidance and support has been instrumental while making my project on this
important issue.
I would also like to thank all authors, writers, columnists and social thinkers whose ideas
and works have been made use of in my Project.
My heartfelt gratitude also goes to all staff and administration of HNLU for the
infrastructure in the form of our library and IT lab that was a great source of help in the
completion of this Project. I also thank my friends for their precious inputs which have been
very useful in the completion of this Project.
I would also like to thank my parents, my seniors, dear colleagues and friends in the
University, who have helped me with ideas about this work.
I hope you will appreciate my true work which is indeed a hard work and a result of my true
research and work.

Priyanka Priyadarshini
Roll no. - 115
Semester- I (Section B)
B.A. LL.B. (Hons.)

CONTENTS
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Introduction
Aims & Objectives
Research Methodology
Effective Management of River Water
Pollution of River Water: A Challenge
Flood and Droughts: Potential Threats
Laws and Statutes Governing Water/River Water
Conclusion
References

5
8
9
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27
29
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INTRODUCTION
A scarce natural resource, water is fundamental to life, livelihood, food security and sustainable
development. India has more than 18 % of the worlds population, but has only 4% of worlds
renewable water resources and 2.4% of worlds land area. There are further limits on utilizable
quantities of water owing to uneven distribution over time and space. In addition, there are
challenges of frequent floods and droughts in one or the other part of the country. With a growing
population and rising needs of a fast developing nation as well as the given indications of the
impact of climate change, availability of utilizable water will be under further strain in future
with the possibility of deepening water conflicts among different user groups. Low
consciousness about the scarcity of water and its life sustaining and economic value results in its
mismanagement, wastage, and inefficient use, as also pollution and reduction of flows below
minimum ecological needs. In addition, there are inequities in distribution and lack of a unified
perspective in planning, management and use of water resources.
A river is a natural watercourse, usually of fresh water, flowing towards an ocean, a lake, a sea,
or another river. Rivers form part of the hydrological cycle. This is a list of rivers in India. Rivers
that flow into the sea are geographically, along the coast starting from the Bay of Bengal in the
east, moving along the Indian coast southward to Kanyakumari, then northward along the
Arabian Sea. Tributary rivers are listed hierarchically in upstream order: the lower in the list, the
more upstream.
The biggest major rivers of India are1:

Flowing into the Bay of Bengal: Brahmaputra, Ganges (with its main tributaries
Ramganga, Kali or Sharda, Gomti, Yamuna, Chambal, Betwa, Ken, Sindh, Tons,
Ghaghara, Gandaki, Burhi Gandak, Koshi, Mahananda, Tamsa, Son, Punpun), Meghna,
Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri (and their main tributaries)
Flowing into the Arabian Sea: Indus, Narmada, Tapi (and their main tributaries)

The remaining rivers are as follows:

Flowing into the Inner part of India

Coastal rivers

USES OF RIVER WATER

1 Bhalerao, S.M., Bharatiya Sarita Kosh (in Marathi), (Encyclopedia of Indian Rivers)

Rivers have been used as a source of water, for obtaining food, for transport, as a defensive
measure, as a source of hydropower to drive machinery, for bathing, and as a means of disposing
of waste.

Rivers have been used for navigation for thousands of years. The earliest evidence of navigation
is found in the Indus Valley Civilization. In some heavily forested regions such as Scandinavia
and Canada, lumberjacks use the river to float felled trees downstream to lumber camps for
further processing, saving much effort and cost by transporting the huge heavy logs by natural
means.
Rivers have been a source of food since pre-history. They can provide a rich source of fish and
other edible aquatic life, and are a major source of fresh water, which can be used for drinking
and irrigation. It is therefore no surprise to find most of the major cities of the world situated on
the banks of rivers. Rivers help to determine the urban form of cities and neighbourhoods and
their corridors often present opportunities for urban renewal through the development of
foreshoreways such as riverwalks.
Rivers also provide an easy means of disposing of waste-water and, in much of the less
developed world, other was fast flowing rivers and waterfalls are widely used as sources of
energy, via watermills and hydroelectric plants.
The coarse sediments, gravel, and sand, generated and moved by rivers are extensively used in
construction. In parts of the world this can generate extensive new lake habitats as gravel pits refill with water. In other circumstances it can destabilise the river bed and the course of the river
and cause severe damage to spawning fish populations which rely on stable gravel formations for
egg laying.
In upland rivers, rapids with whitewater or even waterfalls occur. Rapids are often used for
recreation

WHY IS MANAGEMENT OF RIVER WATER CRUCIAL?

From the aforementioned uses of rivers, it is clear that rivers form an integral part of the
ecosystem and have a varied widespread use. Hence, its management is but obvious extremely
crucial. The plus point being, proper and efficient management of the river water has its own
advantages. Even the Dams built over the rivers to restrict the flow of water helps in the
generation of Hydropower. The Canals built to direct the river water for irrigation is another
helpful source to the farmers. The Embankments and other structures built on the rivers, in turn,
help the aquatic species in forming their breeding areas. Thus, management of river water helps
in various ways. This fact makes it quintessential.

The various other important factors for which Rivers should be managed are2:

We need them in order to sustain natural and wildlife on earth.

Chemical pollution and human contamination will destroy them if they are not managed
and looked after.
Certain invasive species will cause imbalance.
They are great resources for good recreation activities.
They provide for the cultivation of needed food supplies.
They are invaluable natural resources.
Rivers are increasingly managed for habitat conservation, as they are critical for many
aquatic and riparian plants, resident and migratory fishes, waterfowl, birds of prey,
migrating birds, and many mammals.

2 water.sam.usace.army.mil/narrativ.html (Last Visited On: 9th October)

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

I
II

To discuss in detail about the prevailing major concerns and the effective
management of river water; also the ways to implement it.
The challenges posed by the pollution of river water and the ways to tackle it
industrially and personally.

III

Problems posed by floods and droughts in effective management and the ways to
control them.

IV

A brief knowledge about the statutes and laws related to the management of river
water.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Nature of Research
This research work is descriptive and analytical in nature. It describes the effective management
of river water in India.

Sources of Data
This study is done with the help of secondary data. This secondary information has been
obtained from published sources such as books, journals, websites, doctrines, research works etc.

Mode Of Citation
A uniform mode of citation has been adopted and followed consistently throughout this paper.

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EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF RIVER WATER

The government of India has not done much for the effective management of river water as yet.
By the First Five Year Plan, the government outlined focus on the irrigation facilities. By the
Second Five Year Plan, major focus was laid on the generation of hydroelectric power. It is on
the Ninth Five Year Plan that government focussed on the cleaning of river water, focussing on
river Ganga. The present government laid excess focus on the cleaning of Ganga and advanced
leaps and bounds in the cleaning of river water Ganga, by creating a separate ministry for it3.
But still, there is a lot to be done. Ahead lies the humongous task of attaining effective
management of river water in India. Certain major concerns bothering the ecosystem at large and
the ways of effective management have been outlined.

MAJOR CONCERNS
The present scenario of ineffective management has given rise to several concerns. Some of them
are4:

Large parts of India have already become water stressed. Rapid growth in demand for
water due to population growth, urbanization and changing lifestyle pose serious
challenges to water security.
Issues related to water governance have not been addressed adequately. Mismanagement
of water resources has led to a critical situation in many parts of the country.
There is wide temporal and spatial variation in availability of water, which may increase
substantially due to a combination of climate change, causing deepening of water crisis
and incidences of water related disasters, i.e., floods, increased erosion and increased
frequency of droughts, etc.
Water resources projects, though multi-disciplinary with multiple stakeholders, are being
planned and implemented in a fragmented manner without giving due consideration to
optimum utilization, environment sustainability and holistic benefit to the people.
Inter-regional, inter-State, intra-State, as also inter-sectoral disputes in sharing of water,
strain relationships and hamper the optimal utilization of water through scientific
planning on basin/sub-basin basis.
Grossly inadequate maintenance of existing irrigation infrastructure has resulted in
wastage and under-utilization of available resources. There is a widening gap between
irrigation potential created and utilized.

3 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five-Year_Plans_of_India (Last Visited On: 9th October,

2014)
4 Newton, David (2008). Chemistry of the Environment.

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Natural water bodies and drainage channels are being encroached upon, and diverted for
other purposes. Groundwater recharge zones are often blocked.
Growing pollution of water sources, especially through industrial effluents, is affecting
the availability of safe water besides causing environmental and health hazards. In many
parts of the country, large stretches of rivers are both heavily polluted and devoid of
flows to support aquatic ecology, cultural needs and aesthetics.
A holistic and inter-disciplinary approach at water related problems is missing.
The public agencies in charge of taking water related decisions tend to take these on their
own without consultation with stakeholders, often resulting in poor and unreliable service
characterized by inequities of various kinds.
Characteristics of catchment areas of streams, rivers and recharge zones of aquifers are
changing as a consequence of land use and land cover changes, affecting water resource
availability and quality.
An institutional arrangement for promotion, regulation and evolving mechanisms for
efficient use of water at basin/sub-basin level will be established for this purpose at the n
A system to evolve benchmarks for water uses for different purposes, i.e., water
footprints, and water auditing should be developed to promote and incentivize efficient
use of water. The project and the basin water use efficiencies need to be improved
through continuous water balance and water accounting national level.
The project appraisal and environment impact assessment for water uses, particularly for
industrial projects, should, inter-alia, include the analysis of the water footprints for the
use.
Recycle and reuse of water, including return flows, should be the general norm.
Project financing should be structured to incentivize efficient & economic use of water
and facilitate early completion of ongoing projects.
Water saving in irrigation use is of paramount importance. Methods like aligning
cropping pattern with natural resource endowments, micro irrigation (drip, sprinkler,
etc.), automated irrigation operation, evaporation-transpiration reduction, etc., should be
encouraged and incentivized. Recycling of canal seepage water through conjunctive
ground water use may also be considered.
Use of very small local level irrigation through small bunds, field ponds, agricultural and
engineering methods and practices for watershed development, etc, need to be
encouraged. However, their externalities, both positive and negative, like reduction of
sediments and reduction of water availability, downstream, may be kept in view.
There should be concurrent mechanism involving users for monitoring if the water use
pattern is causing problems like unacceptable depletion or building up of ground waters,
salinity, alkalinity or similar quality problems, etc., with a view to planning appropriate
interventions.
Conservation of rivers, river corridors, water bodies and infrastructure should be
undertaken in a scientifically planned manner through community participation. The

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storage capacities of water bodies and water courses and/or associated wetlands, the flood
plains, ecological buffer and areas required for specific aesthetic recreational and/or
social needs may be managed to the extent possible in an integrated manner to balance
the flooding, environment and social issues as per prevalent laws through planned
development of urban areas, in particular.
Encroachments and diversion of water bodies (like rivers, lakes, tanks, ponds, etc.) and
drainage channels (irrigated area as well as urban area drainage) must not be allowed, and
wherever it has taken place, it should be restored to the extent feasible and maintained
properly.
Urban settlements, encroachments and any developmental activities in the protected
upstream areas of reservoirs/water bodies, key aquifer recharge areas that pose a potential
threat of contamination, pollution, reduced recharge and those endanger wild and human
life should be strictly regulated.
Environmental needs of Himalayan regions, aquatic eco-system, wet lands and embanked
flood plains need to be recognized and taken into consideration while planning.
Sources of water and water bodies should not be allowed to get polluted. System of third
party periodic inspection should be evolved and stringent punitive actions be taken
against the persons responsible for pollution.
Quality conservation and improvements are even more important for ground waters, since
cleaning up is very difficult. It needs to be ensured that industrial effluents, local cess
pools, residues of fertilizers and chemicals, etc., do not reach the ground water.
The water resources infrastructure should be maintained properly to continue to get the
intended benefits. A suitable percentage of the costs of infrastructure development may
be set aside along with collected water charges, for repair and maintenance. Contract for
construction of projects should have inbuilt provision for longer periods of proper
maintenance and handing over back the infrastructure in good condition.
Legally empowered dam safety services need to be ensured in the States as well as at the
Centre. Appropriate safety measures, including downstream flood management, for each
dam should be undertaken on top priority.

PROJECT PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION

Considering the existing water stress conditions in India and the likelihood of further
worsening situation due to climate change and other factors, water resources projects
should be planned as per the efficiency benchmarks to be prescribed for various
situations.
Being inter-disciplinary in nature, water resources projects should be planned considering
social and environmental aspects also in addition to techno-economic considerations in
consultation with project affected and beneficiary families. The integrated water
resources management with emphasis on finding reasonable and generally acceptable

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solutions for most of the stakeholders should be followed for planning and management
of water resources projects.
Considering the heavy economic loss due to delay in implementation of projects, all
clearances, including environmental and investment clearances, be made time bound.
Concurrent monitoring at project, State and the Central level should be undertaken for
timely interventions to avoid time and cost over-runs.
All components of water resources projects should be planned and executed in a paripassu manner so that intended benefits start accruing immediately and there is no gap
between potential created and potential utilized.
Local governing bodies like Panchayats, Municipalities, Corporations, etc., and Water
Users Associations, wherever applicable, should be involved in planning of the projects.
The unique needs and aspirations of the Scheduled caste and Scheduled Tribes, women
and other weaker sections of the society should be given due consideration.
All water resources projects, including hydro power projects, should be planned to the
extent feasible as multi-purpose projects with provision of storage to derive maximum
benefit from available topology and water resources5.

5"The National Water Quality Inventory: Report to Congress for the 2002 Reporting
Cycle A Profile."

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POLLUTION OF RIVER WATER: A CHALLENGE

Water pollution is a major environmental issue in India. The largest source of water pollution in
India is untreated sewage6. Other sources of pollution include agricultural runoff and unregulated
small scale industry. Most rivers, lakes and surface water in India are polluted.

UNTREATED SEWAGE
A 2007 study found that discharge of untreated sewage is the single most important source of
pollution in surface and ground water in India. There is a large gap between generation and
treatment of domestic waste water in India. The problem is not only that India lacks sufficient
treatment capacity but also that the sewage treatment plants that exist do not operate and are not
maintained7.

The majority of the government-owned sewage treatment plants remain closed most of the time
due to improper design or poor maintenance or lack of reliable electricity supply to operate the
plants, together with absentee employees and poor management. The waste water generated in
these areas normally percolates into the soil or evaporates. The uncollected wastes accumulate in
the urban areas causing unhygienic conditions and releasing pollutants that leach into surface and
groundwater.

A 1992 World Health Organization study reported that out of India's 3,119 towns and cities, just
209 have partial sewage treatment facilities, and only 8 have full wastewater treatment facilities.
Downstream, the river water polluted by the untreated water is used for drinking, bathing, and
washing. A 1995 report claimed 114 Indian cities were dumping untreated sewage and the
partially cremated bodies directly into the Ganges River 8. Lack of toilets and sanitation facilities
6 Pink, Daniel H. (April 19, 2006). "Investing in Tomorrow's Liquid Gold"
7 "Evaluation Of Operation And Maintenance Of Sewage Treatment Plants In India2007". CENTRAL POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD, Ministry of Environment & Forests.
2008.
8 National Geographic Society. 1995. Water: A Story of Hope. Washington (DC):
National Geographic Society

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causes open defecation in rural and urban areas of India, like many developing countries. This is
a source of surface water pollution.
Sewage discharged from cities, towns and some villages is the predominant cause of river water
pollution in India. Investment is needed to bridge the gap between sewage India generates and its
treatment capacity of sewage per day9. Major cities of India produce 38,354 million litres per day
(MLD) of sewage, but the urban sewage treatment capacity is only 11,786 MLD 10. A large
number of Indian rivers are severely polluted as a result of discharge of domestic sewage.
The Central Pollution Control Board, a Ministry of Environment & Forests Government of India
entity, has established a National Water Quality Monitoring Network comprising 1429
monitoring stations in 27 states and 6 in Union Territories on various rivers and water bodies
across the country. This effort monitors water quality year round. The monitoring network covers
293 rivers, 94 lakes, 9 tanks, 41 ponds, 8 creeks, 23 canals, 18 drains and 411 wells distributed
across India. Water samples are routinely analysed for 28 parameters including dissolved oxygen,
bacteriological and other internationally established parameters for water quality. Additionally 9
trace metals parameters and 28 pesticide residues are analysed. Biomonitoring is also carried out
on specific locations.
The scientific analysis of water samples from 1995 to 2008 indicates that the organic and
bacterial contamination is severe in water bodies of India. This is mainly due to discharge of
domestic waste water in untreated form, mostly from the urban centres of India.

Biochemical Oxygen Demand:

In 2008, the water quality monitoring found almost all rivers with high levels of BOD. The worst
pollution, in decreasing order, were found in river Markanda (590 mg O/l), followed by river
Kali (364), river Amlakhadi (353), Yamuna canal (247), river Yamuna at the Delhi (70) and river
Betwa (58). For context, a water sample with a 5 day BOD between 1 and 2 mg O/L indicates a
very clean water, 3 to 8 mg O/L indicates a moderately clean water, 8 to 20 indicates borderline
water, and greater than 20 mg O/L indicates ecologically-unsafe polluted water.

The levels of BOD are severe near the cities and major towns. In rural parts of India, the river
BOD levels were sufficient to support aquatic life.
9 "Status of Sewage Treatment in India". Central Pollution Control Board, Ministry of
Environment & Forests, Govt of India. 2005.
10 Kaur et al., Wastewater production, treatment and use in India UN Water
(Publisher)

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Coliform Levels:
Rivers Yamuna, Ganga, Gomti, Ghaghara River, Chambal, Mahi, Vardha are amongst the other
most coliform polluted water bodies in India. For context, coliform must be below 104 MPN/100
ml11, preferably absent from water for it to be considered safe for general human use, and for
irrigation where coliform may cause disease outbreak from contaminated-water in agriculture12.

In 2006, 47 percent of water quality monitoring reported coliform concentrationst above 500
MPN/100 ml. During 2008, 33 percent of all water quality monitoring stations reported a total
coliform levels exceeding those levels, suggesting recent effort to add pollution control
infrastructure and upgrade treatment plants in India, may be reversing the water pollution trend.

Treatment of domestic sewage and subsequent utilization of treated sewage for irrigation can
prevent pollution of water bodies, reduce the demand for fresh water in the irrigation sector and
become a resource for irrigation. Since 2005, Indian wastewater treatment plant market has been
growing annually at the rate of 10 to 12 percent. The United States is the largest supplier of
treatment equipment and supplies to India, with 40 percent market share of new installation 13. At
this rate of expansion, and assuming the government of India continues on its path of reform,
major investments in sewage treatment plants and electricity infrastructure development, India
will nearly triple its water treatment capacity by 2015, and treatment capacity supply will match
India's daily sewage water treatment requirements by about 2020.

Other Problems:
A joint study by PGIMER and Punjab Pollution Control Board in 2008, revealed that in villages
along the Nullah, fluoride, mercury, and pesticide were more than permissible limit (MPL) in
ground and tap waters. Plus the water had high concentration of COD and BOD (chemical and
11
12 Annette Prss et al. (May 2002). "Estimating the Burden of Disease from Water,
Sanitation, and Hygiene at a Global Level". Environmental Health Perspectives
13"Indian Water and Wastewater Treatment Market Opportunities for US
Companies". Virtus Global Partners. 2008

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biochemical oxygen demand), ammonia, phosphate, chloride, chromium, arsenic and pesticide.
The ground water also contains nickel and selenium, while the tap water has high concentration
of lead, nickel and cadmium14.

Flooding during monsoons worsens India's water pollution problem, as it washes and moves
solid waste and contaminated soils into its rivers and wetlands. The annual average precipitation
in India is about 4000 billion cubic metres. From this, with the state of Indian infrastructure in
2005, the available water resource through the rivers is about 1869 billion cubic meters.
Accounting to uneven distribution of rain over the country each year, water resources available
for utilization, including ground water, is claimed to be about 1122 billion cubic meters. Much of
this water is unsafe, because pollution degrades water quality. Water pollution severely limits the
amount of water available to Indian consumer, its industry and its agriculture.

THE WAY OUT:

Industrial Level:
The best way to reduce pollution of rivers at the industrial level is by treating the effluents and
waste water generated by the respective industries before discharging them in the river water15.
Need to treat the waste water:
If wastewater is not properly treated, then the environment and human health can be negatively
impacted. These impacts can include harm to fish and wildlife populations, oxygen depletion,
beach closures and other restrictions on recreational water use, restrictions on fish and shellfish
harvesting and contamination of drinking water. The harmful effects are16:

decaying organic matter and debris can use up the dissolved oxygen in a lake so fish and
other aquatic biota cannot survive;

excessive nutrients, such as phosphorus and nitrogen (including ammonia), can cause
eutrophication, or over-fertilization of receiving waters, which can be toxic to aquatic

14 "Buddha Nullah the toxic vein of Malwa". Indian Express.

15 "Central Pollution Control Board, India, Annual Report 20082009",Central
Pollution Control Board, Ministry of Environment & Forests, Govt of India. 2009
16 http://water.usgs.gov/edu/wwvisit.html (Last Visited On: 9th November,2014)

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organisms, promote excessive plant growth, reduce available oxygen, harm spawning
grounds, alter habitat and lead to a decline in certain species;

chlorine compounds and inorganic chloramines can be toxic to aquatic invertebrates,

algae and fish;

bacteria, viruses and disease-causing pathogens can pollute beaches and contaminate
shellfish populations, leading to restrictions on human recreation, drinking water
consumption and shellfish consumption;

metals, such as mercury, lead, cadmium, chromium and arsenic can have acute and
chronic toxic effects on species.

other substances such as some pharmaceutical and personal care products, primarily
entering the environment in wastewater effluents, may also pose threats to human health,
aquatic life and wildlife.

Treatment of waste water:

The major aim of wastewater treatment is to remove as much of the suspended solids as possible
before the remaining water, called effluent, is discharged back to the environment. As solid
material decays, it uses up oxygen, which is needed by the plants and animals living in the water.
"Primary treatment" removes about 60 percent of suspended solids from wastewater. This
treatment also involves aerating (stirring up) the wastewater, to put oxygen back in. Secondary
treatment removes more than 90 percent of suspended solids.
Waste water treatment plant:
The Primary Treatment Process
1. Screening:
Wastewater entering the treatment plant includes items like wood, rocks, and even dead animals.
Unless they are removed, they could cause problems later in the treatment process. Most of these
materials are sent to a landfill.

2. Pumping:
The wastewater system relies on the force of gravity to move sewage from your home to the
treatment plant. So wastewater-treatment plants are located on low ground, often near a river into
which treated water can be released. If the plant is built above the ground level, the wastewater

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has to be pumped up to the aeration tanks (item 3). From here on, gravity takes over to move the
wastewater through the treatment process.

3. Aerating:
One of the first steps that a water treatment facility can do is to just shake up the sewage and
expose it to air. This causes some of the dissolved gases (such as hydrogen sulfide, which smells
like rotten eggs) that taste and smell bad to be released from the water. Wastewater enters a series
of long, parallel concrete tanks. Each tank is divided into two sections. In the first section, air is
pumped through the water.
As organic matter decays, it uses up oxygen. Aeration replenishes the oxygen. Bubbling oxygen
through the water also keeps the organic material suspended while it forces 'grit' (coffee grounds,
sand and other small, dense particles) to settle out. Grit is pumped out of the tanks and taken to
landfills.

4. Removing sludge
Wastewater then enters the second section or sedimentation tanks. Here, the sludge (the organic
portion of the sewage) settles out of the wastewater and is pumped out of the tanks. Some of the
water is removed in a step called thickening and then the sludge is processed in large tanks called
digesters.

5. Removing scum:
As sludge is settling to the bottom of the sedimentation tanks, lighter materials are floating to the
surface. This 'scum' includes grease, oils, plastics, and soap. Slow-moving rakes skim the scum
off the surface of the wastewater. Scum is thickened and pumped to the digesters along with the
sludge.
Many cities also use filtration in sewage treatment. After the solids are removed, the liquid
sewage is filtered through a substance, usually sand, by the action of gravity. This method gets
rid of almost all bacteria, reduces turbidity and color, removes odors, reduces the amount of iron,
and removes most other solid particles that remained in the water. Water is sometimes filtered
through carbon particles, which removes organic particles. This method is used in some homes,
too.

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6. Killing bacteria:
Finally, the wastewater flows into a 'chlorine contact' tank, where the chemical chlorine is added
to kill bacteria, which could pose a health risk, just as is done in swimming pools. The chlorine is
mostly eliminated as the bacteria are destroyed, but sometimes it must be neutralized by adding
other chemicals. This protects fish and other marine organisms, which can be harmed by the
smallest amounts of chlorine.
The treated water (called effluent) is then discharged to the river.
In such a way, industries can curb the pollution of the river water. Strict laws and bye-laws
should be enacted and should be strictly implemented. Punitive measures should be taken against
the industries which do not follow the laws and regulatory mechanisms should be followed.

Personal Level:
At the personal level, we can restrict ourselves from disposing certain waste in the river water. In
this process, we can save the river water from getting polluted. Spreading awareness and
implementing strict rules and regulations is the way out. Stringent measures should be taken
against people who flout these norms. The need of the day is the realisation of the importance oif
the river water. The existing complacency in the minds of the people needs to be done away with.
It is then, that a proper movement can be defined and we can achieve formative goals.

CLEAN GANGA CAMPAIGN;A BRIGHT STEP FORWARD

More than 400 million people live along the Ganges River. An estimated 2,000,000 persons
ritually bathe daily in the river, which is considered holy by Hindus. Ganges river pollution is a
major health risk. Rapidly increasing population, rising standards of living and exponential
growth of industrialisation and urbanisation have exposed water resources, in general, and rivers,
in particular, to various forms of degradation. The mighty Ganga is no exception. The
deterioration in the water quality impacts the people immediately. Ganga, in some stretches,
particularly during lean seasons has become unfit even for bathing. The threat of global climate
change, the effect of glacial melt on Ganga flow and the impacts of infrastructural projects in the
upper reaches of the river, raise issues that need a comprehensive response.
In the Ganga basin approximately 12,000 million litres per day (mld) sewage is generated,
for which presently there is a treatment capacity of only around 4,000 mld. Approximately 3000
mld of sewage is discharged into the main stem of the river Ganga from the Class I & II towns
located along the banks, against which treatment capacity of about 1000 mld has been created till

21

date. The contribution of industrial pollution, volume-wise, is about 20 per cent but due to its
toxic and non- biodegradable nature, this has much greater significance. The industrial pockets in
the catchments of Ramganga and Kali rivers and in Kanpur city are significant sources of
industrial pollution. The major contributors are tanneries in Kanpur, distilleries, paper mills and
sugar mills in the Kosi, Ramganga and Kali river catchments17.

National Ganga River Basin Authority (NRGBA) was established by the Central Government of
India, on 20 February 2009 under Section 3(3) of the Environment Protection Act, 1986. It also
declared Ganges as the "National River" of India18. The chair includes the Prime Minister of
India and Chief ministers of states through which the Ganges flows.
National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) has started the Mission Clean Ganga with a
changed and comprehensive approach to champion the challenges posed to Ganga through four
different sectors, namely, of wastewater management, solid waste management, industrial
pollution and river front development.
NGRBA has been established through the Gazette notification of the Government of India
(Extraordinary) No. 328 dated February 20, 2009 issued at New Delhi with the objectives of (a)
ensuring effective abatement of pollution and conservation of the river Ganga by adopting a river
basin approach to promote inter-sectoral co-ordination for comprehensive planning and
management; and (b) maintaining environmental flows in the river Ganga with the aim of
ensuring water quality and environmentally sustainable development19.
NGRBA is mandated to take up regulatory and developmental functions with sustainability
needs for effective abatement of pollution and conservation of the river Ganga by adopting a
river basin approach for comprehensive planning and management. The Ministry of Water
Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation (MoWR, RD & GR) is the nodal
Ministry for the NGRBA. The authority is chaired by the Prime Minister and has as its members
the Union Ministers concerned, the Chief Ministers of the States through which Ganga flows,
viz., Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal, among others. This

17 Hamner S, Tripathi A, Mishra RK, Bouskill N, Broadaway SC, Pyle BH, Ford TE.
"The role of water use patterns and sewage pollution in incidence of waterborne/enteric diseases along the Ganges river in Varanasi, India."
18 McDermott, Matt (2011-06-01). "World Bank Approves $1 Billion For Ganges
River Cleanup"
19 nmcg.nic.in (Last Visited On: 9th October, 2014)

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initiative is expected to rejuvenate the collective efforts of the Centre and the States for cleaning
the river.
NGRBA functions include development of a Ganga River Basin Management Plan, regulation
of activities aimed at prevention, control and abatement of pollution, to maintain water quality
and to take measures relevant to the river ecology in the Ganga basin states. It is mandated to
ensure the maintenance of minimum ecological flows in the river Ganga and abate pollution
through planning, financing and execution of programmes including that of

Augmentation of Sewerage Infrastructure

Catchment Area Treatment
Protection of Flood Plains
Creating Public Awareness

NGRBA has been mandated as a planning, financing, monitoring and coordinating

authority for strengthening the collective efforts of the Central and State governments for
effective abatement of pollution and conservation of river Ganga so as to ensure that by the year
2020 no untreated municipal sewage or industrial effluent will flow into the river Ganga.

The NGRBA is fully operational and is also supported by the state level State Ganga River
Conservation Authorities (SGRCAs) in five Ganga basin States which are chaired by the Chief
Ministers of the respective States. Under NGRBA programme, projects worth Rs. 4607.82 crore
have been sanctioned up to 31st March 2014.
Powers & Functions:
NGRBA has the power, combined with regulatory and developmental functions, to take all such
measures and discharge functions as it deems necessary or expedient for effective abatement of
pollution and conservation of the river Ganga in keeping with sustainable development needs.
Such measures include following matters, namely:-

Development of river basin management plan and regulation of activities aimed at

prevention, control and abatement of pollution in the river Ganga to maintain its water
quality, and to take such other measures relevant to river ecology and management in the
Ganga Basin States.

23

Maintenance of minimum ecological flows in the river Ganga with the aim of ensuring
water quality and environmentally sustainable development.
Measures necessary for planning, financing and execution of programmes for abatement
of pollution in the river Ganga including augmentation of sewerage infrastructure,
catchment area treatment, protection of flood plains, creating public awareness and such
other measures for promoting environmentally sustainable river conservation.
Collection, analysis and dissemination of information relating to environmental pollution
in the river Ganga.
Investigations and research regarding problems of environmental pollution and
conservation of the river Ganga.
Creation of special purpose vehicles, as appropriate, for implementation of works vested
with the Authority.
Promotion of water conservation practices including recycling and reuse, rain water
harvesting, and decentralised sewage treatment systems.
Monitoring and review of the implementation of various programmes or activities taken
up for prevention, control and abatement of pollution in the river Ganga, and
Issuance of directions under section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act 1986 (29 of
1986) for the purpose of exercising and performing all or any of the above functions and
to take such other measures as the Authority deems necessary or expedient for
achievement of its objectives.
The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 for the purpose of exercising and performing
these functions and for achievement of its objectives20.

20 http://wrmin.nic.in/ (Last Visited On: 9th October, 2014)

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FLOOD AND DROUGHT: POTENTIAL THREATS

Floods and droughts pose a major threat to the effective management of river water. They not
only indulge in widespread destruction but also cause great havoc in the management of river
water. The following is a detailed study on the potential threats and their effective management.

FLOODS:
A flood is an overflow of water that submerges land which is usually dry. The European Union
(EU) Floods Directive defines a flood as a covering by water of land not normally covered by
water21. In the sense of "flowing water", the word may also be applied to the inflow of the tide.
Flooding may occur as an overflow of water from water bodies, such as a river or lake, in which
the water overtops or breaks levees, resulting in some of that water escaping its usual boundaries,
or it may occur due to an accumulation of rainwater on saturated ground in an areal flood. While
the size of a lake or other body of water will vary with seasonal changes in precipitation and
snow melt, these changes in size are unlikely to be considered significant unless they flood
property or drown domestic animals.

Floods can also occur in rivers when the flow rate exceeds the capacity of the river channel,
particularly at bends or meanders in the waterway. Floods often cause damage to homes and
businesses if they are in the natural flood plains of rivers. While riverine flood damage can be
eliminated by moving away from rivers and other bodies of water, people have traditionally lived
and worked by rivers because the land is usually flat and fertile and because rivers provide easy
travel and access to commerce and industry.

Some floods develop slowly, while others such as flash floods, can develop in just a few minutes
and without visible signs of rain. Additionally, floods can be local, impacting a neighbourhood or
community, or very large, affecting entire river basins.

FLOOD FORCASTING:
Anticipating floods before they occur allows for precautions to be taken and people to be
warned22 so that they can be prepared in advance for flooding conditions. For example, farmers
can remove animals from low-lying areas and utility services can put in place emergency
21 Glossary of Meteorology (June 2000), Flood.0
22 "Flood Warnings". Environment Agency.

25

provisions to re-route services if needed. Emergency services can also make provisions to have
enough resources available ahead of time to respond to emergencies as they occur.

In order to make the most accurate flood forecasts for waterways, it is best to have a long timeseries of historical data that relates stream flows to measured past rainfall events. Coupling this
historical information with real-time knowledge about volumetric capacity in catchment areas,
such as spare capacity in reservoirs, ground-water levels, and the degree of saturation of area
aquifers is also needed in order to make the most accurate flood forecasts.

Radar estimates of rainfall and general weather forecasting techniques are also important
components of good flood forecasting. In areas where good quality data is available, the intensity
and height of a flood can be predicted with fairly good accuracy and plenty of lead time. The
output of a flood forecast is typically a maximum expected water level and the likely time of its
arrival at key locations along a waterway23, and it also may allow for the computation of the
likely statistical return period of a flood. In many developed countries, urban areas at risk of
flooding are protected against a 100-year flood - that is a flood that has a probability of around
63% of occurring in any 100 year period of time.

FLOOD CONTROL:
In many countries around the world, waterways prone to floods are often carefully managed.
Defences such as detention basins, levees, bunds, reservoirs, and weirs are used to prevent
waterways from overflowing their banks. When these defences fail, emergency measures such as
sandbags or portable inflatable tubes are often used to try and stem flooding. Coastal flooding
has been addressed in portions of Europe and the Americas with coastal defences, such as sea
walls, beach nourishment, and barrier islands.
In the riparian zone near rivers and streams, erosion control measures can be taken to try and
slow down or reverse the natural forces that cause many waterways to meander over long periods
of time. Flood controls, such as dams, can be built and maintained over time to try and reduce
the occurrence and severity of floods as well.
In areas prone to urban flooding, one solution is the repair and expansion of man-made sewer
systems and stormwater infrastructure. Another strategy is to reduce impervious surfaces in
streets, parking lots and buildings through natural drainage channels, porous paving, and
wetlands (collectively known as green infrastructure or sustainable urban drainage systems ).
23 Center for Neighborhood Technology, Chicago IL The Prevalence and Cost of
Urban Flooding.

26

Areas identified as flood-prone can be converted into parks and playgrounds that can tolerate
occasional flooding. Ordinances can be adopted to require developers to retain stormwater on
site and require buildings to be elevated, protected by floodwalls and levees, or designed to
withstand temporary inundation. Property owners can also invest in solutions themselves, such as
re-landscaping their property to take the flow of water away from their building and installing
rain barrels, sump pumps, and check valves. India has followed many of these measures, but it
should develop its infrastructure by greater extent, by taking ideas and following the steps taken
by other countries.

DROUGHTS:
Drought is an extended period when a region receives a deficiency in its water supply, whether
atmospheric, surface or ground water. A drought can last for months or years, or may be declared
after as few as 15 days. Generally, this occurs when a region receives consistently below average
precipitation. It can have a substantial impact on the ecosystem and agriculture of the affected
region. Although droughts can persist for several years, even a short, intense drought can cause
significant damage and harm to the local economy. Prolonged droughts have caused mass
migrations and humanitarian crises.
Drought in India has resulted in tens of millions of deaths over the course of the 18th, 19th, and
20th centuries. Indian agriculture is heavily dependent on the climate of India: a favorable
southwest summer monsoon is critical in securing water for irrigating Indian crops. In some parts
of India, the failure of the monsoons result in water shortages, resulting in below-average crop
yields. This is particularly true of major drought-prone regions such as southern and eastern
Maharashtra, northern Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Gujarat, and Rajasthan.

EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF DROUGHTS AND FLOODS:

While every effort should be made to avert water related disasters like floods and
droughts, through structural and non-structural measures, emphasis should be on
preparedness for flood / drought with coping mechanisms as an option. Greater emphasis
should be placed on rehabilitation of natural drainage system.
Land, soil, energy and water management with scientific inputs from local, research and
scientific institutions should be used to evolve different agricultural strategies and
improve soil and water productivity to manage droughts. Integrated farming systems and
non-agricultural developments may also be considered for livelihood support and poverty
alleviation.
In order to prevent loss of land eroded by the river, which causes permanent loss,
revetments, spurs, embankments, etc., should be planned, executed, monitored and
maintained on the basis of morphological studies. This will become increasingly more
important, since climate change is likely to increase the rainfall intensity, and hence, soil
erosion.

27

Flood forecasting is very important for flood preparedness and should be expanded
extensively across the country and modernized using real time data acquisition system
and linked to forecasting models. Efforts should be towards developing physical models
for various basin sections, which should be linked to each other and to medium range
weather forecasts to enhance lead time.
Operating procedures for reservoirs should be evolved and implemented in such a manner
to have flood cushion and to reduce trapping of sediment during flood season. These
procedures should be based on sound decision support system.
Protecting all areas prone to floods and droughts may not be practicable; hence, methods
for coping with floods and droughts have to be encouraged. Frequency based flood
inundation maps should be prepared to evolve coping strategies, including preparedness
to supply safe water during and immediately after flood events. Communities need to be
involved in preparing an action plan for dealing with the flood/ drought situations.
To increase preparedness for sudden and unexpected flood related disasters,
dam/embankment break studies, as also preparation and periodic updating of emergency
action plans / disaster management plans should be evolved after involving affected
communities. In hilly reaches, glacial lake outburst flood and landslide dam break floods
studies with periodic monitoring along with instrumentation, etc., should be carried out.

28

LAWS AND STATUTES GOVERNING WATER/RIVER

WATER
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986: The Environment (Protection) Act was
enacted in 1986 with the objective of providing for the protection and improvement of the
environment. It empowers the Central Government to establish authorities [under section
3(3)] charged with the mandate of preventing environmental pollution in all its forms and
to tackle specific environmental problems that are peculiar to different parts of the
country. The Act was last amended in 1991.Here, environment includes water and this
was a very crucial initiative taken by the Government of India. It even restricts the
pollution of river water.

The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974: This was
enacted for the prevention and control of water pollution and maintaining or restoring
wholesomeness of water. The Central & State Pollution Control Board were constituted
under Section 3 and 4 of the Act. This Act advises state government to set up industries at
a particular area. It also authorises certain Pollution Control boards to take emergency
measures. It even advances punitive measures wherever required.

Interstate River Water Disputes, 1956: The Interstate River Water Disputes Act,
1956 (IRWD Act) is an Act of the Parliament of India enacted under Article 262 of
Constitution of India on the eve of reorganization of states on linguistic basis to resolve
the water disputes that would arise in the use, control and distribution of an interstate
river or river valley. Article 262 of the Indian Constitution provides a role for the Central
government in adjudicating conflicts surrounding inter-state rivers that arise among the
states/regional governments. This Act further has undergone amendments subsequently
and its most recent amendment took place in the year 2002.
IRWD Act validates the previous agreements (if any) among the basin states to harness
water of an interstate river/ river valley. River waters use / harnessing is included in states
jurisdiction. IRWD Act is applicable only to interstate rivers / river valleys. An action of
one state should affect the interests of one or more other states.
National Water Policy: National Water Policy is formulated by the Ministry of
Water Resources of the Government of India to govern the planning and development of

29

water resources and their optimum utilization. The first National Water Policy was
adopted in September, 198724. It was reviewed and updated in 2002 and later in 2012
Salient Features:
The major provisions under the Policy are:
Envisages to establish a standardized national information system with a network
of data banks and data bases
Resource planning and recycling for providing maximum availability
To give importance to the impact of projects on human settlements and
environment.
Guidelines for the safety of storage dams and other water-related structures
Regulate exploitation of groundwater
Setting water allocation priorities in the following order: Drinking water,
Irrigation, Hydropower, Navigation, Industrial and other uses.
The water rates for surface water and ground water should be rationalized with
due regard to the interests of small and marginal farmers.

24 "National Water Policy 2002". Ministry of Water Resources (GOI). 1 April 2002.

30

CONCLUSION
It is concluded that effective management of river water, though hasnt been achieved yet, but
isnt impossible to achieve at all. There are certain methods of effective project planning and
implementation which need to be followed in order to manage the river water. The importance of
river water neednt be explained. Its quintessential nature is universal.
For the effective management, the respective managing boards should formulate and implement
requisite policies, as and when required, with the changing times. The policies should be drafted
keeping in mind the national perspective as well. Apt punitive measures and proper awareness
programmes should be started as well which can help in initiating movements for the purpose.
Thus planned and incessant efforts are the keys to effective management of river water and it is
very much attainable.

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REFERENCES
Acts:
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
Interstate River Water Disputes, 1956

Books/Articles/Journals:

Jeffrey W. Jacobs. "Rivers, Major World". Water Encyclopaedia.

Middleton, Nick (2012). Rivers: a very short introduction. New York: Oxford University
Press.
Luna B. Leopold (1994). A View of the River. Harvard University Press.
Kaur et al., Wastewater production, treatment and use in India UN Water (Publisher)
"Central Pollution Control Board, India, Annual Report 20082009",Central Pollution
Control Board, Ministry of Environment & Forests, Govt of India. 2009
"The National Water Quality Inventory: Report to Congress for the 2002 Reporting Cycle
A Profile."

Webliography:

http://en.wikipedia.org
http://water.usgs.gov/edu/wwvisit.html
http://wrmin.nic.in/
nmcg.nic.in