194-Water Monitoring Challenges and Strategies for Better Quality of Life.

Abstract

Water is a prime natural resource, a basic human need and a precious national asset. Safe potable water, improved housing and clean environment are vital elements in transformation of life. It has been estimated that the water consumption will continuously rise due to over population and industrialization. The fresh water demand for agriculture, industry and fast growing urban centers are expected to be double by 2025. Skilful management of our water bodies is required if they are to be recreation, power generation, flood protection and waste disposal. Water is the most precious gift of nature to mankind. The water pollution is primarily associated with microbial contamination or due to chemical contaminants affecting physico-chemical characteristics of water. According to World Health Organization (WHO) 80% disease are water borne. The microbial contamination is due to poor or damaged pipeline, sewage discharge, defecation seepage and poor person hygiene practices. The water gets contaminated with different viruses, bacteria, protozoa, fungi, algae and helminthes. The discharge of effluents, sewage treatment plants, drains and indiscriminate disposal of wastes from factories adversely effect the situation. The effluents are complex mixtures of a large number of variable harmful agents. The water quality may be affected due to contamination arising from natural or man made sources. High concentration of fluoride, salinity and arsenic in certain pockets may be due to geologic origin. The increasing concentration of Heavy Metals, Pesticide residues, Phthalic Acid Esters (PAEs), Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH), fertilizers etc. are a matter of concern. The modern bio-monitoring or sensor/probe based technologies are focused on early detection, reduction or removal of environmental contaminants. Supply of safe water inadequate quantities has been recognized as the basic need in several programmes of the National and International agencies. In association with water quality surveillance the sanitation facilities and personal hygiene practices must be interlinked for better results. The decline in the environmental quality as a consequence of pollution is evident by loss of vegetative cover and reduction in biological diversity. Excessive concentration of harmful chemicals in food chain, ambient atmosphere, growing risk of environmental accidents and threat to life support system is anticipated to be a great problem improving proper pipe supply and storage with adequate treatment of available water sources. The appropriate state of art technologies such as bio-sensors and nano-techniques must be implemented during monitoring, water treatment and distribution for better quality of life. The water quality should be monitored periodically as per national and international guidelines/specifications (IS 10500: IS 13428: IS 14543: IS 3025: WHO Guidelines). The public partnership and motivation among the masses for water conservation, water harvesting and water management in a cost effective manner must be encouraged. The traditional knowledge of water purification may be implemented including new innovations.