indian water crisis and underwater overuse

how under ground water is over used and how can it be recovered

1. Indian water crisis :overuse of underwater & urban water stress. The Chennai wake-up call.

2. Main topics of discussion. India’s Water Challenge Why Chennai? (why this case matters) Chennai’s Water System Early Warning Signs Build-Up to the Crisis Day Zero Peak Human & Economic Impact Government’s Immediate Response Long-Term Recovery Measures Lessons Learned National Relevance & Conclusion

3. A Nation Thirsting for Survival “ According to NITI Aayog’s Composite Water Management Index (2019), 600 million Indians face high to extreme water stress.” “By 2030, demand is projected to be double the supply (World Bank, 2018).” : [NITI Aayog CWMI Report 2019], [World Bank India Water Brief]. India is already among the world’s most water-stressed nations, with millions facing shortages in both urban and rural areas. Systemic issues like regulation gaps and governance neglect compound the crisis. Many Indian cities, including Chennai, face recurring threats of “Day Zero” — the moment when municipal water supplies run critically low. This underscores a national imperative for robust urban water resilience. Rapid urbanization, growing populations, and industrialization in Indian cities are exerting severe pressure on water resources, often outpacing supply capacity. To escalate, climate change intensifies monsoon variability and drought frequency.

4. Chennai: India’s Urban Water Time Bomb. “Chennai relies on four reservoirs that provide most of its drinking water (Tamil Nadu Water Supply & Drainage Board, 2018).” “85% of Chennai’s annual rainfall comes from the Northeast Monsoon (IMD, 2019).” Chennai stands out as one of the world’s wettest major cities yet hit "Day Zero" when all four main reservoirs dried up in June 2019—highlighting deep systemic flaws. Its combination of intense urban growth, heavy reliance on rainfall-dependent reservoirs, and degraded lakes makes it a cautionary tale. As a coastal megacity with diverse water sources (reservoirs, desalination, inter-state transfers), Chennai exemplifies both the complexity and potential resilience of urban water systems. The crisis symbolizes the false sense of water security in perceived “water-rich” regions, making Chennai an especially impactful case study.

5. A Fragile Supply Chain Built on Monsoons The city historically depended on four rain-fed reservoirs—Red Hills, Cholavaram , Poondi , Chembarambakkam —and groundwater; total storage capacity was about 11,000 million cubic feet. Supplementing surface water, Chennai taps from inter-state projects like the Telugu Ganga (Krishna River) and Veeranam Lake, plus desalination ( Minjur : ~100 MLD) and treated sewage reuse. Despite over 4,100 water bodies in the metropolitan area, unchecked encroachment and degradation have reduced their storage and recharge potential. Demand is soaring: by 2026, the projected water demand is ~2,248 MLD, while supply is only ~1,535 MLD—implying a ‎∼713 MLD deficit. “Groundwater provides about 40% of Chennai’s needs (Central Ground Water Board, 2019).” “The city’s desalination plants supply ~200 MLD, but demand exceeds 1,200 MLD (CWC, 2019).”

6. Warnings Ignored: From Shrinking Lakes to Dry Borewells Chennai endured three consecutive monsoon failures in 2016–2018, including a 55% rainfall deficit in 2018—setting the stage for reservoir depletion. Growing reliance on private water tankers and over-extraction from wells signaled failing public systems and stressed groundwater. Urban expansion, lake encroachment, and poor sewage management undermined the city’s natural water storage and recharge systems. Analysts flagged misuse and mismanagement of water — beyond climatic factors — as critical, calling the crisis “manufactured” by flawed governance. “Between 2013–2016, rainfall was consistently below normal (IMD Chennai data).” “Experts like CSE (Centre for Science and Environment) had warned about unsustainable borewell drilling.”

7. Urban Growth Without Water Planning “A 2018 Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report flagged poor maintenance of reservoirs and pipelines.” “Studies show Chennai loses 35–40% of treated water to leakages (Times of India, 2018 quoting Metro Water).” As reservoirs dwindled regionally, Chennai’s municipal board rationed supply and deferred maintenance, worsening the stress. As tap-water pipelines faltered, reliance on private tankers surged, disproportionately affecting poorer communities in cost and access. Groundwater overuse led to depletion and contaminated wells, deepening the water insecurity. With monsoons delayed, authorities began declaring “Day Zero,” rationing water to as low as 20 liters per day for residents. Media highlighted societal breakdowns—fights over water, slums receiving mere 30 L/day, and widespread anxiety.

8. When the Taps Ran Dry “By June 2019, Chennai’s four reservoirs hit dead storage (TWAD Board Report, 2019).” “Over 9 million people were affected, with water supplied by 200 trains from Vellore (The Hindu, July 2019).” On 19 June 2019, Chennai formally declared “Day Zero” as all four key reservoirs were fully depleted. Tap water ceased; households queued for water deliveries, while some tankers were hijacked amid chaotic demand. Government trucks were slow to respond; many turned to costly private water delivery—privilege-based water access became starkly evident. Slum populations and marginalized areas received only minimal water rations, exposing class disparities in crisis vulnerability. The crisis prompted national attention and intensified the push for water security reforms across Indian cities.

9. The Human Cost of Water Stress Millions were affected: insufficient daily water for hygiene and cooking hampered lives, especially for low-income families. Businesses, hotels, and eateries shut down or reduced operations due to lack of water, hitting the local economy. Social tensions boiled over—reports include a stabbing incident during water fights, demonstrating the strain. Agriculture and peripheral economic activities also suffered as groundwater sources weakened. The crisis deepened trust deficits between government bodies and residents, especially in deprived communities. “Hospitals in Chennai delayed surgeries due to lack of sterile water (Indian Express, 2019).” “Construction industry suffered losses of ₹1,000 crore in 2019 due to water shortage (Confederation of Real Estate Developers’ Associations of India).”

10. Emergency Fixes: Expensive & Unsustainable Authorities began rationing water and deploying tanker trucks—though access was slow and uneven. Emergency sourcing from water trains and distant reservoirs provided partial relief. The Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewage Board accelerated desalination and reuse of treated wastewater, aiming to diversify supply Rainwater harvesting was mandated city-wide; reuse of treated sewage was accelerated, with a target of reaching 75% reuse. Multi-sector partnerships were encouraged, fostering NGO-led rainwater projects like “City of 1,000 Tanks” and community systems. “The Tamil Nadu government spent ₹65 crore on emergency water trains (The Hindu, 2019).” “Mandatory rainwater harvesting was enforced by Chennai Corporation under state law (Government of Tamil Nadu, 2003 Act).”

11. Turning Crisis into Opportunity “Over 200 lakes were desilted and restored with community participation (CSE Report, 2020).” “By 2020, Chennai recycled 10% of its wastewater, freeing fresh water for households (Metro Water Board).” Water crises can strike even wet cities when urban planning neglects sustainable storage and recharge; governance matters as much as climate. Diversity in water sources — desalination, reuse, inter-basin transfers — builds resilience in supply systems. Community-led initiatives, rainwater harvesting, and decentralized models deliver adaptability and local empowerment. Transparent, adaptive governance and integrated water planning are pivotal for equitable access and crisis prevention. Urban water security must address socioeconomic equity—poor communities must have guaranteed access during emergencies.

12. Chennai’s Survival Guide for India “NITI Aayog noted that acting before crisis is cheaper and more effective than emergency responses.” “UN Water Report (2020) stresses integrated water management and community engagement as global best practices.” Chennai’s crisis rings a national warning: many Indian cities risk similar “Day Zero” scenarios without sustainable water governance. India’s pledge for piped water in every home by 2024 must confront systemic flaws—storage, infrastructure, governance—beyond just infrastructure promises. Scalable solutions—desalination, reuse, rainwater harvesting, better planning—can guide other cities toward resilience. Integrated water management, inclusive governance, and climate-adaptive infrastructure are essential for future water security across India

13. THANK YOU TEAM : Shamita Praveen Rakesh Kumar Reddy Ullas Gowda.M