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Water Pollution: Extent, Impact, and Abatement

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Indian Water Policy at the Crossroads: Resources, Technology and Reforms

Part of the book series: Global Issues in Water Policy ((GLOB,volume 16))

Abstract

Water pollution is an emerging challenge in developing countries like India, which try to achieve rapid economic development without adequate/effective environmental management facilities. In recent years, the pollution load discharged by different sectors (domestic, industrial and agriculture) has increased, some times beyond the carrying/assimilative capacity of the environment. Fresh water sources (rivers, lakes and aquifers) are one of the major victims of pollution, whose impact on health and livelihood of millions of poor people is critical, besides the physical deterioration of the aquatic ecosystem. Hence, pollution hampers development in a significant manner. Though various pollution management measures have been attempted over a period of time, significant progress has not been achieved. In this regard, a more realistic and integrated approach (with emphasis on appropriate water pollution policies, strict enforcement, multi-stakeholders’ initiatives and cooperation, affordable technology development and application of economic instruments) needs to be implemented.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Water Resources, Anna University, Chennai, 600 025, India

    Prakash Nelliyat

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  1. Prakash Nelliyat
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Correspondence to Prakash Nelliyat .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Public Policy and Governance, Management Development Institute, Gurgaon, India

    Vishal Narain

  2. Economics and Rural Development, Alagappa University, Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu, India

    Annasamy Narayanamoorthy

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Nelliyat, P. (2016). Water Pollution: Extent, Impact, and Abatement. In: Narain, V., Narayanamoorthy, A. (eds) Indian Water Policy at the Crossroads: Resources, Technology and Reforms. Global Issues in Water Policy, vol 16. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-25184-4_8

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