Question

On the basis of field observations and information from the local authority and water suppliers, identify the major consumer processes utilizing your local river system. What possible conflicts could arise and how might these conflicts be rationalized?

Answer 1

Local consumer industries like leather industry, sugar industry, textile and washing industry, and agriculture industry used local river systems for their demand for water. Govt. Authority like the municipal corporation and water board uses a river system for ensuring the supply of drinking water.

Excessive use of river water reduces wetland and affect the marine environment. The biological municipal and industrial liquid waste increase biological oxygen demand and reduce dissolved oxygen in the water. Shrinking ground water is also cause by the excessive use of river water and reduction of wetlands. Highly toxic effluent from consumer industries increase intoxicants, chemicals and mineral level in the water body. Highly toxic effluent damage the local marine environment and cause various health issues. Cancer, heart and liver disease, dysentery, skin diseases and many acute and chronic disease may cause due to toxic drinking water system.

Water treatments of effluent systems, rainwater harvesting, strict environment norms and use of advanced technologies reduce the effect of these conflicts. Rain water harvesting recharge ground water in system. Wetlands and recycle of effluent water help to maintain the biodiversity of nature.