NEW DELHI, INDIA, June 5, 2003: At one time water was considered an endlessly renewable resource, but this is no longer true as much of the world faces a serious water crisis. This is particularly evident in India where lakes and wells are drying up and monsoon rains are late this year. The Central Ground Water Authority says that in 286 districts, across 18 states, water levels have fallen more than 4 meters in 20 years. Mid-subcontinent cities such as New Delhi have saline water near the surface, whereas coastal Chennai and Mumbai have sea water intrusion in the water supply. Central Pollution Control Board scientist, R.C. Trivedi says, “Water demand in cities is galloping way ahead of supply, and since most urban areas don’t have adequate systems for sewage, this seeps into the ground, polluting groundwater.” A United Nations Environmental Program says, “Many of the world’s natural underground reservoirs, upon which two billion people depend for drinking water, are under increasing stress.” Because groundwater is cheap and easy to tap into, it’s loss isn’t only felt in India. Throughout the southwestern United States, groundwater is being removed annually faster than it’s possible to replace from rainfall.
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