28.02.2018 Views

POVERTY REDUCTION STRATEGY TN

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

The total water demand already exceeds the availability and the deficiency is<br />

307.8 thousand million cubic feet (TMC). It is estimated that the industries will require<br />

1307.20 MCM in 2014 as against its demand of 636 MCM in 1999 (Table 5.8). The<br />

requirement for domestic use is also projected to rise. The water deficit would rise to<br />

2481 MCM in 2014. Since these figures exclude the Cauvery (the major) basin, the deficit<br />

will be more than what is shown. Imbalance between water needs and resources are<br />

likely to induce a variety of conflicts between different users.<br />

Table 5.8: Projected Water Demand in Tamil Nadu *<br />

(Million Cubic Metre)<br />

1999 2004 2014<br />

Sectors Demand Percent Demand Percent Demand Percent<br />

Agriculture 29079 93.2 29079 92.4 27808 89.9<br />

Domestic 1002 3.2 1088 3.5 1346 4.3<br />

Industries 636 2.0 809 2.6 1307 4.2<br />

Live Stock 387 1.2 387 1.2 387 1.3<br />

Hydro Power 60 0.2 66 0.2 68 0.2<br />

Others 28 0.1 28 0.1 28 0.1<br />

Total 31192 100.0 31458 100.0 30944 100.0<br />

Source: Water Resources Organization (1998), State Framework: Water Resources Plan of Tamil Nadu. *<br />

Note: Excluding Cauvery Basin.<br />

b. Water Quality<br />

There are also serious water quality problems in some of the basins due to industrial<br />

pollution. 17 In Chennai particularly, the waterways are severely polluted due to the<br />

discharge of domestic waste. Sea water intrusion is also occurring along the coast due to<br />

the over-extraction of groundwater. In some parts of the state, there is contamination<br />

due to excess fluoride. Agriculture, a major non-point source of water pollution, also<br />

creates severe environmental issues. Heavy use of fertilizers can have major adverse<br />

impacts on surface water quality, soils and groundwater. The environmental<br />

consequences of excess use of fertilisers are shown in Annexure 5.1. Improper/inefficient<br />

use of chemical fertilizers (pesticides) would result in food production polluted with<br />

nitrates (toxic), reduction in yield, environmental degradation (soil degradation, water<br />

and air pollution, climate change and health hazards) and extra cost of production.<br />

c. Rural and Urban Water Supply Status<br />

There are 86981 rural habitations in the state. In 2002-03, only 36.8 percent of<br />

habitations were fully covered by rural water supply and 49.06 percent covered partially.<br />

17 Effluent discharged from industries significantly affects surface water quality, soil and groundwater.<br />

108

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!