Water is renewable source but at the same time it is a finite source. Only less
than 1% of the total water is in the form of fresh water resource. According to a
survey on water management by International Water Association (IWA), it is stated
that nearly one billion people around the world are facing lack in accessing safe
water.
The water supplies around the world have decreased to one third over a period
of past three decades. 600 million people live in countries facing water stress (less
than 1700 cubic meters of water per person).
In the next 3 decades, the percentage of the world's population facing stress to
access fresh water could increase fivefold. Since the world is facing the stress on
water, it is highly important to conserve water. At the same time, it is equally
important to manage and effectively utilize the available resource.
While considering the Indian conditions, there is no proper water
management system (WMS) other than some metering policies that are followed in
metro cities. The water management system will be the only need of the hour
solution rather than looking for the alternative sources of water. Metro city like
Chennai is already hit with the 'Day-Zero' in the month of June 2019 in which the
term 'Day-Zero' refers the zero access to water which has resulted in shutting down of many hotels and restaurants, declaration of holidays or work from home
alternative by the IT industries, reduction in production in manufacturing industries
etc. On seeing this as a global perspective, 'Cape Town' is the first city in the world
which is exposed to 'Day Zero'.
The consumption of water varies widely between various types of consumers
such as residential, commercial, industrial and also the consumption varies
according to the seasons. It is highly needed to set up the WMS for efficient
distribution of resources.