Background

Across India, water scarcity has remained a challenge plaguing socioeconomically vulnerable regions, preventing individuals, families, and communities from leading safe and healthy lives. In fact, a recent research conducted by the Foundation for Agrarian Studies found that approximately one-fifth of the country’s rural regions do not receive the minimal entitled quantity of water every day, with this situation worsening during the summer season. Due to inadequate infrastructure, limited awareness of water conservation techniques, and lack of institutional accountability and support, water scarcity has become a concern demanding urgent attention and action today, particularly amongst regions and communities constantly overlooked by water policies and innovation. 

Challenges exacerbating water scarcity are acutely felt in regions across India, including the national capital region of Delhi NCR which has alarmingly climbed to the second spot on the list of the world’s 20 largest cities experiencing severe water stress (Composite Water Management Index, NITI Aayog, 2019). Keeping in mind the geographical structure of the region coupled with its high population density and constant developmental activities, rapid urbanization and population growth continue to place exponential strain on existing water resources. As a result of this, inconsistent water supply and increased pollution rates have become normalized, disproportionately affecting socioeconomically fragile communities living in the peripheries of the city. 

With India housing 17% of the world’s population but having access to only 4% of global freshwater, the need for effective conservation techniques to circumvent the acute water crisis prevalent today is more crucial than ever before. To address the same and bridge the gap, there is a growing need to urgently outline sustainable solutions, not just in and around Delhi NCR but across the country. This is where WaterWays hopes to make meaningful interventions, starting from raising awareness about the importance of circumventing water scarcity to using innovation to help marginalized communities find the right set of solutions to tackle the consequences of depleting clean water sources. One step at a time, WaterWays hopes to carve out a reliable pathway to ensure equal access to clean water for all.