One Water Approach

Context:

The United Nations has estimated that by the year 2050, four billion people will be seriously affected by water shortages, pushing the ‘One Water approach’ towards all sources of water.

 What is the One Water approach?

• One Water Approach, also referred to as Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), is the recognition that all water has value, regardless of its source.
  • It includes managing that source in an integrated, inclusive and sustainable manner by including the community, business leaders, industries, farmers, conservationists, policymakers, academics and others for ecological and economic benefits.
• It is an integrated planning and implementation approach to managing finite water resources for long-term resilience and reliability meeting both community and ecosystem needs.
• One Water is the future of the water industry when the barriers conventionally separating wastewater, storm water, drinking water, groundwater and the reuse and re-utilisation are broken down, many benefits realised.

Characteristics:

• All Water has Value: The mind-set that all water has value — from the water resources in our ecosystems to our drinking water, wastewater and storm water.
• A Multi-faceted Approach: Our water-related investments should provide economic, environmental, and societal returns.
• Utilising Watershed-Scale Thinking and Action: It should respect and respond to the natural ecosystem, geology, and hydrology of an area.
• Partnerships and Inclusion: Real progress and achievements will only be made when all stakeholders come forward and together will take a decision.

Objectives:

• Reliable, secure, clean water supplies
• Aquifer recharge
• Flood protection
• Minimising environmental pollution
• Efficient use and reuse of natural resources
• Resiliency to climate
• Long-term sustainability
• Equity, affordability and accessibility to safe drinking water
• Economic growth and prosperity

On-going Water Projects in India

• Recognising the water crisis in India, the government of India formed a single ministry i.e Ministry of Jal Shakti. 
• Previously, water was a subject that was dealt with by almost nine Ministries.
• Projects are-
  • Jal Jeevan Mission
  • Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP)
  • Namami Gange Programme
  • National River Linking Project (NRLP)
  • Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT)
  • National Hydrology Programme
  • Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayi Yojana (PMKSY)
  • National Aquifer Mapping and Management Programme (NAQUIM)
  • River Basin Management
  • Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABHY)
  • National Water Mission