UPSC 2024 Mains GS3 Model Answer - The world is facing an acute shortage of clean and safe freshwater. What are the alternative technologies which can solve this crisis? Briefly discuss any three such technologies citing their key merits and demerits
SuperKalam
Feb, 2025
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Q15. The world is facing an acute shortage of clean and safe freshwater. What are the alternative technologies which can solve this crisis? Briefly discuss any three such technologies citing their key merits and demerits
Model Answer:
Introduction
The world is facing an alarming shortage of clean and safe freshwater, with nearly 2.2 billion people lacking access to safely managed drinking water services, as per the United Nations. Factors such as population growth, climate change, and pollution have drastically reduced freshwater availability. Clean freshwater is essential for drinking, agriculture, sanitation, and industrial processes. Its scarcity poses threats like health issues, food insecurity, and economic instability.
Body
Alternative Technologies to Address Freshwater Shortage: Several innovative technologies have emerged to combat this crisis, offering potential solutions to increase access to safe water:
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Technology |
Merits |
Demerits |
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Atmospheric Water Generation (AWG) |
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Water Treatment and Recycling |
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Solar Water Purification |
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Case Studies and Global Examples:
- Israel has become a global leader in water recycling, treating and reusing 90% of its wastewater for agriculture. This approach has significantly reduced its reliance on freshwater and turned the country into a model for water management in arid regions.
- Singapore’s "NEWater" project treats reclaimed water and uses advanced technology to produce potable water. This has helped Singapore reduce its dependency on imported water by more than 30%.
- India's Jal Jeevan Mission: A government-led initiative aims to provide clean tap water to every rural household by 2024, focusing on sustainable water use and treatment technologies.
Conclusion
These alternative technologies, though not without challenges, offer viable solutions to address the freshwater shortage. With successful examples from Israel and Singapore, it's evident that technology, coupled with strong policy and public support, can transform water scarcity into sustainable availability. Collaborative efforts between governments, the private sector, and communities will be crucial in overcoming this crisis.
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