DRINKING WATER

DRINKING WATER Lack of clean drinking water is a major problem in developing countries. Water-borne diseases are rampant in economically depressed rural areas because clean running water (typically provided by the municipalities) is simply not available. The only alternative is to install hand pumps or deep wells (drilled wells) to draw clean water from the ground depending on the depth of the water table. The depth of the potable water table varies from 20 to 3000 feet (~ 6 to 910 meters) depending on the region and local topography. Hand pumps are normally installed for obtaining water at the maximum depth of 130 feet (~ 40 meters).  Over 130 feet deep wells (drilled wells) are installed with pumps which can reach 3,000 feet (910 m) or more. Until recent centuries, all artificial wells were pump-less dug wells which were excavated with diameters large enough to accommodate men with shovels digging down to below the water table. Such wells were at times lined with stones or bricks; extending this lining into a wall around the well to reduce both contamination and injuries by falling into the well.  Modern dug wells are hand pumped.  Many cities with dense populations lack adequate fresh water because municipalities which should be supplying them are failing due to decaying infrastructure and rising population.  For such instances, Hidaya has started delivering water to the masses via a water tanker which is filled with fresh water from our own wells.  If not for this service, the people would literally be fighting with each other over scarce water sources.Deep wells (drilled wells) can get water from a much deeper level by mechanical drilling.  Drilled wells with electric pumps are currently used throughout the world, typically in rural or sparsely populated areas.  Most shallow well drilling machines are mounted on large trucks or trailers. Such wells typically range from 20 to 600 feet (6 to 180 meters), but in some areas can go deeper than 3,000 feet (910 meter

Demand for water is growing in most cities as every urban citizen requires almost double the amount of water that a rural citizen requires. Moreover, India is rapidly urbanising. Urban population in India has grown almost five times in five decades from 1951 (62.44 million) to 2001 (286.08). Not long ago, most of our cities were self sufficient in meeting their water needs from the extensive urban water bodies to supply water to citizens. Today these water bodies have completely disappeared. Municipalities have been stretched to their limits to find water for the growing urban populations. Groundwater is being extracted by the government as well as the private parties.

Every living creature needs clean and safe drinking water. How much do you need? It depends - your size, activity level and the weather all make a difference.The water you drink is a combination of surface water and groundwater. Surface water includes rivers, lakes and reservoirs. Groundwater comes from underground. The United States has one of the safest water supplies in the world, but drinking water quality can vary from place to place. It depends on the condition of the source water and the treatment it receives. Treatment may include adding fluoride to prevent cavities and chlorine to kill germs.  Drinking water comes from a variety of sources including public water systems, private wells, or bottled water. Ensuring safe and healthy drinking water may be as simple as turning on the tap from an EPA-regulated public water system. Other water sources may need a water filter, a check on water fluoridation, or an inspection to ensure a septic tank is not too close to a private well. It is important to know where drinking water comes from, how it’s been treated, and if it’s safe to drink.EPA regulations that protect public water systems do not apply to privately owned wells or any other individual water system. Owners of private wells are responsible for ensuring that their well water is safe from contaminants.Community water fluoridation prevents tooth decay safely and effectively. Water fluoridation has been named one of 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century

There are two types of drinking water systems in the United States. They are:Public water systems that are subject to United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations.Individual water systems that are not subject to EPA regulations.According to the EPA, approximately 286 million Americans receive their tap water from a community water system. These public water systems are monitored and regulated as set by the EPA.An estimated 15% of Americans, or about 45 million people, get their water from private ground water wells that are not subject to EPA regulations. Private ground water wells can provide safe, clean water. However, well water can also become contaminated, leading to illness. It is the responsibility of well owners to maintain and treat their well 

                                                                                Prof. John Kurakar