Water Neutrality

Table of Contents

Context: The NITI Aayog has laid out a standard definition and approach for water neutrality in Indian industries.

Introduction

According to Water Action decade initiative 2018-2028, there will be a steep fall of around 40 per cent in freshwater availability by 2030, which alongside of rising population will push towards a global water crisis.
Today, around 1.7 billion people live in river basins where water usage is far more than its rate of recharge.
Data by UN suggests that 40 per cent of global population is directly affected by the water scarcity and the numbers are predicted to rise in coming years.
These numbers clearly reflect the challenge likely to be aggravated in the future, unless timely water resource management measures are undertaken.

Water neutrality is defined as reducing an activity’s water footprint as much as reasonably possible while offsetting the negative externalities of the remaining water footprint.
- Water footprint refers to the total volume of freshwater used directly and indirectly to produce a particular product, commodity, or service throughout its lifecycle.
It aims to balance water consumption and usage in a way that the amount of water taken from natural sources (such as rivers, lakes, and aquifers) is equivalent to the amount of water returned to those sources through various measures like conservation, treatment, and replenishment.
The term “water neutrality” was coined by South African businessman Pancho Ndebele at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg in 2002.

Water conservation: This involves reducing water consumption through measures such as leak detection and repair, water-efficient appliances, and rainwater harvesting.
Water reuse: This involves treating wastewater so that it can be used for other purposes, such as irrigation or industrial cooling.
Offsetting water consumption: This involves funding water conservation or water reuse projects in other areas

Water Conservation: The NITI Aayog’s report estimates that following water neutrality standards could save 38.23 billion cubic meters of water over the next decade.
Achieving Water Goals: National Water Mission’s Goal 4 (Increasing water use efficiency by 20%) includes the promotion of water-neutral and water-positive technologies.
- The Government of India has established National Water Mission (NWM) as one of the eight National Missions under the National Action Plan on Climate Change.
- The main objective of NWM is “conservation of water, minimizing wastage and ensuring its more equitable distribution both across and within States through integrated water resources development and management”.
Environmental Sustainability: The concept of water neutrality promotes responsible and sustainable water management.
Mitigation of Water Stress: Water scarcity is a growing concern in many parts of the world. Water neutrality initiatives can help alleviate water stress by reducing demand, enhancing water use efficiency, and minimizing competition for limited water resources.