Limited water access pushes financially unstable residents of Lingsugur to buy expensive bottled water, defying Sustainable Development Goal 6.
The residents of Lingsugur, Raichur are grappling with a severe water scarcity issue, as the erratic water supply system provides them with water only once every five days.
This scarcity has forced them to resort to purchasing bottled water, paying Rs. 80 for a 20-litre can, which is a significantly more expensive option compared to the subsidized municipal water supply.
The sum remains within reach for only some households, leaving many economically disadvantaged residents struggling to afford this essential resource.
Under Sustainable Development Goal 6, access to clean water, proper sanitation facilities, and good hygiene practices are deemed essential for maintaining health and overall well-being. However, in Lingsugur, the reality starkly contrasts with this ideal. With limited availability of water, residents, particularly those who are financially unstable, are left with no choice but to purchase costly bottled water.
The struggle to make ends meet is compounded by the added expense of purchasing water, said Devi Hegde, a mother of three. “Buying a 40 litre bottle of water for Rs. 160 when we earn Rs. 500 a day between my husband and I, makes life difficult for us,” she said. “We barely make ends meet, and now we’re forced to choose between feeding our children and quenching their thirst,” she said, adding that it is difficult for her save money for her children’s education.
The desperation for water has led some residents to resort to digging the dry streambeds outside their settlements, hoping to collect seeping water. However, this desperate measure poses serious ecological concerns in the long run. As they extract water from these dried-up streams, they risk disrupting local ecosystems and exacerbating environmental degradation.
The authorities are supplying drinking water, though not sufficient, to 19 villages.
The irregular water supply disrupts daily routines and productivity, with residents spending valuable time and energy fetching water or standing in queues. This not only affects their work and education but also hampers their other activities.
Ramanathan, a local farmer, articulates his frustration, “We spend hours waiting for water. By the time it arrives, our day is half gone. How can we tend to our fields or provide for our families when we’re consumed by the struggle for water?”
In Lingsugur taluk, four villages are solely dependent on water tankers. The district panchayat identified 150 villages as prone to drought, with nearly 80 of them now officially declared as drought-affected. A lot of villagers store the water in earthen pots or illegally drill bore wells which also cause a decline in the groundwater level.
Sanjay C., a resident of the village, expressed concerns about the drinking water situation. He mentioned that there’s a problem with the water pipeline, but no one in authority is willing to take responsibility. Currently, water is sourced from a tube well, but there are no facilities available to purify the water at home. Despite promises from the Panchayat Development Officer to address the issue, no action has been taken so far.
The root causes of this water scarcity issue are deeply entrenched in infrastructure challenges. Outdated infrastructure, coupled with factors like climate change and rapid population growth, have outpaced the capacity of existing water supply systems, said a gram panchayat member in Lingsugur.
The outdated infrastructure includes old pipes, pumps, treatment facilities, and sewer lines that are often prone to leaks or breaks. This causes the quality and cleanness of the water to suffer.
Mr. Biplob Chatterjee, a hydrologist specializing in water resource management, stresses the need for substantial investment in upgrading local water supply infrastructure. “Infrastructure upgrades are essential.”
He asserts, “Lingsugur’s water woes demand a two-pronged attack: upgrading the infrastructure like fixing pipelines, improving treatment plants, and building efficient distribution systems to ensure reliable water flow and alongside promoting water conservation at both individual and community levels.”
In 2008, a study conducted by UNICEF, the rural development department of Karnataka and the mines and geology department of Karnataka revealed a troubling new reality for several villages in Raichur and Lingsugur. It revealed the presence of arsenic in the groundwater for the first time in South India.
This discovery is particularly alarming as the detected levels were 27 times higher than the permissible limit, raising serious concerns about the potential health risks faced by residents who rely on this contaminated water source. While arsenic contamination in groundwater has previously been documented in parts of Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and neighboring Bangladesh, this finding marks a significant new public health challenge for South India.
Moreover, the scarcity of clean drinking water raises serious concerns about hygiene and sanitation. Residents are often compelled to consume water from contaminated sources, increasing the risk of waterborne diseases and gastrointestinal illnesses. Mr. Ayiub, minority department officer in Lingsugur, expressed his apprehension, stating, “Without clean water, we are vulnerable to a host of illnesses. How can we protect our health when even the water we drink poses a threat?”
Ayiub expressed deep concern, stating, “Whenever we drink water, we’re filled with fear, unsure if it’s safe or toxic.” Reports indicate that five individuals have died, and numerous others have sought medical treatment in the past due to consuming polluted water.
Vikram Bhatt, urban planner said, “To create a long-lasting solution to the water crisis, we need to look beyond existing sources. We should explore alternative methods like collecting rainwater, replenishing groundwater supplies, and even building new reservoirs. This would create a more dependable and varied water system.
“We should foster a spirit of cooperation that will ensure a sustainable water future for all.” Bhatt said.
According to the World Bank, while citizens are obligated to cover the costs of the water they consume, the tariff for what is deemed as lifeline consumption, ranging up to eight kilolitres, is maintained at levels that are within the financial reach of poor households.
Despite receiving $363 million in support from the World Bank for the Karnataka Water Supply Improvement Project to provide subsidized household-level water connections, many economically disadvantaged households still lack regular access to clean water.
