Effective Strategies for Sustainable Water Management in Butibori Town

Abstract

Butibori is a bustling industrial municipality located in proximity to Nagpur, India, currently grappling with a significant issue pertaining to water scarcity. The purpose of my study is to devise an inclusive approach for the stewardship of water resources in Butibori, accommodating both existing and anticipated demands. As of the year 2021, the town boasts an approximate population of 49,500 inhabitants who receive merely 34 to 45 liters of water daily. This allocation substantially deviates from the prescribed 135 liters, culminating in a deficit of roughly 7.32 million liters per day. With projections indicating a population surge to 169,653 by the year 2053, the demand for water is anticipated to escalate to 31.20 million liters per day. Such an increase will impose considerable strain on the town's constrained water infrastructure, which presently encompasses a water treatment facility capable of processing only 3.6 million liters and a 55 km water distribution network. To fulfill future requirements, this distribution network would necessitate an extension to 102.09 km. Moreover, over 25% of the water is lost due to leaks and inefficiencies, while pollution in the Vena River, the principal source of water for the town, exacerbates the scenario. Employing the methodology known as Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM), I utilized Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for analytical purposes, collaborated with local stakeholders, and examined successful water management approaches from other municipalities such as Jaipur, Patiala, and Nablus. My proposed strategy encompasses the enhancement of water treatment and storage facilities, the extension of the water distribution network, the reduction of water loss through metering and audits, as well as the promotion of rainwater harvesting and the recycling of wastewater for non-potable applications. This proposal aspires not only to secure equitable access to safe drinking water and curtail environmental decline but also to establish a practical blueprint for other cities confronting analogous water-related predicaments.