Delhi Water Crisis: How Technology Is Tackling The Problem, Challenges And Future Plans In The Era Of Climate Change

Delhi Water Crisis: Did you know that five of the 20 largest cities in the world facing severe water scarcity are in India, with Delhi coming in second on the list? This is according to the Composite Water Management Index released by NITI Aayog in 2019.

As we all know, Delhi recently experienced one of the most extreme heatwaves in May 2024, when temperatures in some areas crossed 50 degrees Celsius. The extreme weather claimed over 30 lives in a single month. Unfortunately, Delhi was unable to meet this increased demand and even the most basic water needs of the city’s residents are not being met.

As part of our efforts to combat water scarcity in the national capital using technology, we spoke to Mr. Advait Kumar, Founder, BOON.

Delhi’s cutting-edge water initiatives in 2024

Delhi is at the forefront of investing in modern water purification and desalination technologies aimed at saving and increasing water availability. Among these innovations, smart water purifiers are at the forefront with their multi-stage water filters that can effectively remove all harmful contaminants while using minimal water.

IoT (Internet of Things) helps in maintaining continuous monitoring of water quality and system status in homes, hotels or businesses, it can be done in real time and thus guarantees standard performance. Governments are actively collaborating with startups to set up water ATMs in various locations. These water ATMs are IoT-enabled to monitor water quality and filter status to maintain functionality and water supply.

In addition, the issue of brine (sodium chloride) production as a by-product of desalination is managed creatively to reduce any negative environmental impacts. Non-hazardous ways of disposing of brine are being considered to avoid negative impacts on marine life, increasing the sustainability of desalination as a source of urban water supply.

Delhi’s Water Revolution: From ATMs to Smart Infrastructure

Delhi government is partnering with technology companies to implement innovative water management solutions that aim to improve access to clean water and reduce wastage.

One notable initiative is the deployment of water ATMs in public spaces in Delhi. Developed in partnership with tech start-ups, they replace traditional open taps that often lead to significant water wastage and health hazards. By offering clean drinking water at a nominal price per litre, water ATMs democratize access to safe water while minimizing wastage.

Moreover, the government is working with technology companies to upgrade the city’s water infrastructure by installing smart water meters and IoT-enabled devices across the water distribution network. Through these partnerships, the government aims to leverage technology to create a more sustainable and resilient water management system in Delhi, ensuring that the city’s growing water needs are met in an efficient and eco-friendly manner.

How data analytics and IoT are revolutionising water management in Delhi?

Data analytics is a key tool in managing Delhi’s water resources and predicting future water needs, playing a key role in solving the city’s water challenges. By integrating data analytics with IoT-enabled devices and smart water meters, Delhi Jal Board (DJB) can collect and analyze massive amounts of data on water consumption, flow rates, and system health.

This data is used to determine consumption patterns, detect inefficiencies and forecast future demand based on factors such as population growth, seasonal fluctuations and historical trends.

Real-time monitoring systems, including SCADA and GIS, further enhance water management by providing continuous data on the city’s water distribution network. This enables early detection of leaks, pressure drops and contamination events, enabling rapid response and reducing Non-Revenue Water (NRW) losses.

In addition, data analysis supports strategic planning and policy development by providing practical insights into resource allocation and sustainability initiatives. Predictive models help predict water shortages and plan accordingly, ensuring effective management of water resources to meet the city’s growing demand.

Challenges related to implementing new water technologies

One of the main challenges is the dependence on conventional water management systems, such as large water tanks and 20-litre water jars, which are inefficient and contribute to microplastic pollution. Switching to more sustainable alternatives, such as smart water purifiers and IoT-enabled systems, requires significant investment and public awareness campaigns.

Another challenge is the widespread use of inefficient water purifiers that waste up to 85% of water during the filtration process. To address this, the government should introduce guidelines to restrict the sale of such designs and promote the adoption of water-saving technologies.

Another hurdle is the maintenance of water treatment and management systems. Regular maintenance is crucial to ensure that these systems function optimally, but is often neglected. IoT-enabled devices can play a key role here by providing timely alerts for necessary maintenance, thereby preventing system failures and reducing downtime.

To ensure a sustainable water future, Delhi needs to focus on modernising its water infrastructure, encouraging the adoption of smart technologies and ensuring stringent regulatory measures that promote water conservation and efficient management.

Future Solutions to the Water Crisis in the Age of Climate Change

The next five years are set to see significant advances in water management, driven by climate change and growing demand for sustainable water solutions. These advances will be facilitated by technology playing a central role in addressing the challenges posed by climate change and ensuring a secure water future.

Smart water purifiers are expected to dominate the market, equipped with advanced features that monitor water quality and system status in real time, ensuring the highest standards of water purification with minimal waste. These devices will become the standard in homes, businesses and public institutions, contributing to wide-ranging water conservation efforts.

IoT integration across the water network will provide comprehensive control over water distribution and quality management. Combined with AI-based data analysis, this will enable precise forecasting of water demand throughout the year, allowing for more effective resource allocation and planning.

In addition, advances in geographic region-specific water treatment systems are expected. These systems will be tailored to the unique water quality and mineral content of different regions, ensuring that water treatment is efficient and sustainable.

Alarming conditions in Delhi:

A recent report by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) underlines the critical situation: 99.1 percent of Delhi’s annual net groundwater recharge has been extracted. According to The Economic Times, the report reveals that Delhi’s annual net groundwater recharge in 2023 was 0.38 billion cubic meters (bcm), and only 0.34 bcm was available for extraction. Despite the reduced recharge, Delhi’s groundwater recovery has increased significantly, rising from 98.16 percent in 2022 to 99.13 percent in 2023.