60% of households in major Indian cities water deficient

More than 60 per cent of the households in major Indian cities are water-deficient while distribution losses due to leakage in water supply are as high as 35 to 50 per cent, says the latest survey report of consultancy firm Ernest and Young.

In a statement here today, the firm said citing key findings of its survey that major cities including Delhi showed a poor 'working ratio' – an indicator that assesses performance of water utilities in terms of operational efficiencies, financial health and stability for water.

The survey pointed out that Mumbai, Chennai and Bengaluru indicated better performance of water utilities. Another key finding of the survey is that Industrial water consumption in the country may increase fourfold by 2050.

The report also pointed that India's demand for water is expected to cross 1400 billion cubic meters (bcm) by 2050, with a 50 per cent increase in demand irrigation, a 100 per cent increase for drinking water.

The survey report also said that growing population coupled with service inefficiencies had resulted in a decline in per capita availability of water in the country. The survey said that per capita availability of water could drop by more than 50 per cent to water scarcity by 2050.

"One of the factors responsible for water scarcity in major Indian cities is the absence of sewage treatment capacities, which are as low as 30% of the total waste-water generated," said Chaitanya Kalia of Ernst and Young Private Limited.