India CSR Network
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • Register
SUBSCRIBE
  • Home
  • CSR
    • Art & Culture
    • CSR Leaders
    • Child Rights
    • Culture
    • Environment
    • Education
    • Gender Equality
    • Health
    • Skill Development
    • No Poverty
    • Safety
    • Covid-19
    • Safe Food For All
  • Sustainability
    • Sustainability Dialogues
    • Sustainability Knowledge Series
    • Plastics
    • Sustainable Development Goals
    • Circular Economy
    • BRSR
  • Corporate Governance
    • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Articles
  • Interviews
  • Events
  • BOOKS
  • More
    • Technology
    • Lifestyle
    • Case Studies
    • Knowledge
    • Social Sector Leaders
    • Social Entrepreneurship
    • Philanthropy
    • Sports
    • Gaming
  • Prime
  • Home
  • CSR
    • Art & Culture
    • CSR Leaders
    • Child Rights
    • Culture
    • Environment
    • Education
    • Gender Equality
    • Health
    • Skill Development
    • No Poverty
    • Safety
    • Covid-19
    • Safe Food For All
  • Sustainability
    • Sustainability Dialogues
    • Sustainability Knowledge Series
    • Plastics
    • Sustainable Development Goals
    • Circular Economy
    • BRSR
  • Corporate Governance
    • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Articles
  • Interviews
  • Events
  • BOOKS
  • More
    • Technology
    • Lifestyle
    • Case Studies
    • Knowledge
    • Social Sector Leaders
    • Social Entrepreneurship
    • Philanthropy
    • Sports
    • Gaming
  • Prime
  • Login
  • Register
No Result
View All Result
India CSR Network
No Result
View All Result
Home Articles

Safe Water: The Fuel for Economic Growth

by India CSR Network
4 years ago
in Articles, Water & Sanitation

By Parag Agarwal

Water is a simple natural commodity that has unprecedented impact on any nation’s economy.While on one hand It permeates all aspects of life on Earth, it remains most taken for granted by people of the world. It is impossible to holistically assess the role of safe water in the sustenance and growth of mankind hence people often fail to understand the correlation between safe water and economic development. This remains the principal reason why the planet is facing an acute water stress across continents.

To understand the real value and impact of safe water, it is essential to understand the various functions it serves at different levels of the economic structure. The most fundamental way in which safe water affects the economy is through its use in domestic chores. It is needed for drinking, bathing, washing, cleaning and sanitation activities. Nearly 76 million people in India do not have access to safe drinking water. Time incurred by households to get access to drinking water ranges between 15 minutes and 6 hours per day. 88% of illnesses worldwide are attributed to contaminated water. The time, effort and funds spent on “crisis-management” due to unavailability of water adversely affects the productive capabilities of the nation. Healthy economies are essentially the products of the psychological welfare of the masses.

At the primary level, agriculture is largely dependent on water for irrigation purposes. About 70% of India’s population is still engaged in agricultural activities and about 16% of our GDP comes from agriculture.Acute shortage of safe water often forces the farmers to use sewer water for irrigation which ultimately leads to stunted productionand toxic food products. Even at the secondary level, various industries like textile and glass need clean water to operate their plants. In the current times, water footprint has become as critical a factor in any and every industry as was carbon footprint in the 90s and early 2000.

Agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy. Presently India is treating only 30% of its sewage.  Encouraging private players to set up decentralized water treatment plants in rural areas is very critical. Estimating irrigation needs for water remains a challenge. Technologies like soil sensors and drone- enabled thermal imaging have been developed to analyze the water requirement of soil and prevent excess-irrigation. IoT Sensors detect leakages in the irrigation pipes so that they can be plugged immediately. However, the need for safe water cannot be augmented by any technology whether for agriculture or for hydrating the human body.

Safe water isn’t just associated with drinking water. It also refers to water which is required for a variety of other purposes.Tourism and entertainment industry is one such industry that will fail to thrive in the absence of safe water. According to experts, the Indian amusement and theme park industry has been growing at a compounded annual growth rate of more than 17.5 percent with annual revenue of around Rs 17 billion, is estimated to grow to at least Rs 40 billion (Rs 4,000 crore) by 2020. It is not possible to generate such revenues with contaminated water that irritates your skin and burns your eyes. Also, will you travel to far of places to be by the lake that bears a foul smell and is black in colour?

It is vital to understand that all recreational and economically productive activities hinge upon the basic necessities of life of which water is an inevitable part. It is fundamental to human existence. During the past 4 years, the Government of India has made a concerted effort in collaboration with private sector companies to  make safe water available, accessible and affordable for citizens and households. One significant step in this direction was the installation of water ATMs. There are similar projects that have now been undertaken by various municipal corporations, local administrative bodies and under the Smart City initiative at all Tier 1, 2 and 3 cities.

Government agencies and corporates need to realize the business risks arising out of water-scarcity or its shortage. There is a dire need to re-engineer processes, invest in water optimization technologies and conduct regular water audits within their operations. Another urgent requirement is the setting up of Effluent Treatment plants and reuse the grey water produced out of industrial processes. Amount of water to be used at different levels of the supply chain must be standardized. Only a few brands across the globe such as Levis, Coca-Cola and Nike have developed waterless processes and sustainable products while several others are working towards the same.

Safe water crisis is looming large over the globe. According to experts, there will acute water stress by 2050. The sole way to continue to survive is to develop sustainable practices. We can’t afford to be irresponsible and careless any longer. Our economies cannot stand and thrive in absence of water. It is the fuel to all economic growth and lies at the very core of our existence. Safe water can boost the GDP of the nation by upto 6%. The administration needs to affix a price tag to water thereby making people sensitive towards its usage.

CSRBooks.com CSRBooks.com CSRBooks.com

(Parag Agarwal is the Founder & CMD of JanaJal)

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this feature are entirely their own and does not necessarily reflect the views of India CSR Network and its Editor.

Terms & Conditions: India CSR Network does not permit other Websites/Agency to copy or reproduce or reprint the above article/feature in any form or means.

Tags: CSR and Parag AgrawalCSR and Safe Drinking WaterCSR and Safe WaterCSR Article by Parag ArawalDrinking Water and CSRFUELFUEL NGOKetan DeshpandeParag AgrawalSafe Water - Fuel for Economic GrowthSafe Water and Parag ArawalSafe Water: The Fuel for Economic Growth
ShareTweetPin

India CSR Network

India CSR is the largest tech-led platform for information on CSR and sustainability in India offering diverse content across multisectoral issues. It covers Sustainable Development, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Sustainability, and related issues in India. Founded in 2009, the organisation aspires to become a globally admired media that offers valuable information to its readers through responsible reporting. To enjoy the premium content, we invite you to subscribe it.

Related Posts

Video: Significance of water budgeting in rural areas
Water & Sanitation

Video: Significance of water budgeting in rural areas

July 4, 2022
Articles

ESG and Existential Challenges and Corporate and Collective Opportunities

July 2, 2022
Engaging employees in sustainability initiatives
Articles

Engaging employees in sustainability initiatives

June 14, 2022
Water & Sanitation

CSR: Ambuja Cement Foundation facilitates tap water to over 2000 households of Gujarat

June 8, 2022
ONGC Foundation CSR initiative to End Manual Scavenging at Vijayawada
Water & Sanitation

ONGC Foundation CSR initiative to End Manual Scavenging at Vijayawada

June 6, 2022
Articles

ESG is about something deeper than justice; it’s about human solidarity

June 6, 2022
CSR: PepsiCo Foundation helping access to clean water and sanitation in West Bengal
Water & Sanitation

CSR: PepsiCo Foundation helping access to clean water and sanitation in West Bengal

May 25, 2022
Articles

CSR at Inflection Point: Board’s Strategy for Maximising Impact & Triple bottom-line Growth

May 15, 2022
Industries Thriving in India despite the Pandemic
Articles

IoT for Good: Connected Devices Support in Fulfilling UN Sustainable Development Goals

May 10, 2022

Popular Stories

  • Lupin Terminates 300 Staff

    Lupin Terminates 300 Staff

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • What is liberalization?

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • 7 Reasons Why Smartphone Can Make Your Life Easier

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • QNET CSR Arm Supports Electrification Project to light up the lives of 470 villagers in Meghalaya

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • MCA amends Schedule III of Companies Act on disclosure norms in financial statements and Details of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
India CSR Network

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Team
  • Partnership
  • Contact
  • Terms of Use
  • Subscribe

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • CSR
    • Art & Culture
    • CSR Leaders
    • Child Rights
    • Culture
    • Environment
    • Education
    • Gender Equality
    • Health
    • Skill Development
    • No Poverty
    • Safety
    • Covid-19
    • Safe Food For All
  • Sustainability
    • Sustainability Dialogues
    • Sustainability Knowledge Series
    • Plastics
    • Sustainable Development Goals
    • Circular Economy
    • BRSR
  • Corporate Governance
    • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Articles
  • Interviews
  • Events
  • BOOKS
  • More
    • Technology
    • Lifestyle
    • Case Studies
    • Knowledge
    • Social Sector Leaders
    • Social Entrepreneurship
    • Philanthropy
    • Sports
    • Gaming
  • Prime
  • Login
  • Sign Up
  • Cart

Welcome Back!

Sign In with Facebook
Sign In with Google
Sign In with Linked In
OR

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Sign Up with Facebook
Sign Up with Google
Sign Up with Linked In
OR

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In