The Ministry of Water Resources will soon come out with a draft model law to conserve groundwater, surface water and rainwater and increase use of treated water for non-potable purposes.

The Minister of Water Resources Uma Bharti  announced this while addressing the inaugural session of Bhujal Manthan-2 on Tuesday.

Bharti said a committee will also be formed to suggest ways to conserve fast depleting groundwater levels through aquifer recharge, particularly in drought-hit areas such as Marathwada and Bundelkhand.  However, she clarified that water being a State subject, the Act will not be binding on States for implementation. The Secretaries of Water Resources, Rural Development, Environment and Agriculture will be part of the committee, which is expected to submit its report in a month, she said.

The proposed draft model act aims at conserving groundwater, surface water and rainwater and one which stresses on using treated water optimally. She pointed out that 62 per cent of water used by Israel is treated water. “Why can’t we too do thatIJ We too can do it,” said Bharati. She further said that the act will focus on using waste water for infrastructural and industrial activities, while recycled sewage water will be used for irrigation purpose.

later, the special secretary from the Ministry of Water Resources further stated that 80 per cent to 85 per cent drinking water is sourced from underground across the country. Further, 60 per cent to 65 per cent of water used for irrigation is also fetched from underground, he added.

The countries like China use less ground water than India, only to the extent of 30 per cent of what can be recharged in that country annually. So, the need of the hour is to make sure the withdrawal is sustainable.

Bharti also said the Government plans to complete aquifer mapping across the country over the next three years. Simultaneously, the Government is also contemplating to recharge groundwater on priority basis across 1066 blocks (which could either be a district/taluka/mandals) where groundwater is hugely exploited.

The Marathwada, Bundelkhand, Rajasthan, Gujarat and even in Uttarakhand the trees covering the mountains that would hold water have been cut. Hence, we will have to give priorities to these areas and recharge ground water, she said.