Lack Of Water Can Cripple Indian Economy - Per Capita Water Storage In India Is Alarmingly Low

Very soon the world will realize that it is not oil that runs an economy. It is the amount of usable water per capita that really guides economic prosperity and growth. It is true India has gained in growth and affluence. But the growth is in a very narrow segment of the upper middle class - the well-educated, English-speaking elite.

But what haunts India is not oil and gas but per capita water storage. Even the metros in India receive water in taps just for few hours daily in contrast to 24 hour tap water supply in many countries with less water resources and scanty rainfall.

Despite receiving an annual rainfall of about 1170 mm which is equivalent to 4000 billion cubic metes (BCM), India consumes just 1123 BCM water annually which comprises 690 BCM of surface water and 423 BCM of ground water that can be replenished. The ground water scenario in India is alarmingly low compared to that of the developed nations like America. The agriculture, the habitat, and the major industries are water dependent. Sooner or later, the world will find alternative fuels to replace crude oil and natural gas. But something the world will take millions of years is to find an alternative to water.