Water And Sanitation Stress Of Rural India Highlighted By COVID-19

In this article, Mayuri Phukan and Anagha Krishnan say that inequitable water access and distribution calls for systematic water resource management so that disparities could be properly addressed. With high levels of water stress, rural India has to prioritize the use of water for meeting drinking, cooking and washing requirements and implementation of WASH practices. India will also need to look at managing its water resources more effectively and bring about technical and policy changes to ensure its equitable access to combat pandemic situations in future.

- Mayuri Phukan and Anagha Krishnan

Since March 25, 2020, India has been under a nationwide lockdown, barring essential services. Frequent handwashing with soap and scrubbing for at least 20 seconds or using alcoholbased hand rub and social distancing has been advised by the World Health Organization (WHO) as measures to be taken up to combat the spread of COVID-19.

India has a population of around 1.3 billion; with a prevailing disparity and inequity in piped water supply and water access across the country. Underprivileged communities, including the rural population and the economically weaker sections, are usually the most vulnerable during disease outbreaks. In areas where piped water supplies are not available, groundwater is the only source for addressing the water requirements. Excessive withdrawal of groundwater, over a period of time leads to the groundwater depletion. Coupled with this, is the issue of water quality and sanitation provision, which can negatively affect the health of the community. There is also the ongoing climate change crisis, accelerated due to anthropogenic activities, which has affected the availability of water. This inequitable water access and distribution calls for systematic water resource management so that such disparities could be properly addressed.