The Hindu Business Line : Chennai to host event on water management

Chennai, Sept. 22 Rapid urbanisation and industrialisation is turning water into a scarce commodity. Unless there is a holistic approach in water management, there is an impending crisis.

To sensitise people on this theme, the Automation Industry Association is organising ‘Water Tech 2008’ in Chennai next month.

The Chairman of the steering committee of Water Tech 2008 and Director of Endress + Hauser (India) Private Ltd, Mr R. Vanamali, told Business Line that since the supply, treatment and recycling capacities expand, it is necessary to implement modern processes. Most modern water and wastewater processes are controlled by automation technologies that enable measurement and control thereby ensuring optimum efficiency, reducing wastages, maintaining regular supply and conforming to safety and environmental norms.

Decline in availability

The Association’s Director, Mr Anup Wadhwa, said the per-capita availability of water in India has steadily declined from 5,000 cubic meter per annum in the year 1947 to 2,000 cubic meter per annum now. Estimates reveal that by 2020, India’s demand for regulated water will exceed all sources of regulated supply. Today, about 40 per cent of water is wasted.

Resorting to alternatives

Due to poor water supply, farmers and urban dwellers bail out groundwater through tube wells. Currently about 70 per cent of the country’s irrigation needs and 80 per cent of its domestic water supplies come from groundwater.

Although this ubiquitous practice has helped agriculture it has led to rapidly declining water tables and critically depleted aquifers, posing a threat.

Water Tech 2008 would bring municipalities, industrial plant owners, equipment suppliers, project integrators, certification agencies and automation experts together to share experiences that have benefited many nations. Using case study and presentation approach, automation users and technologists would demonstrate tangible benefits for the water industry, Mr Wadhwa said.

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