Integrated approach for enchancing water secuitry: a case of indore

Abstract

This research is aimed at enhancing water security in an urban context. The approach used for conducting this research is indicator based qualitative and quantitative in nature. A set of literature is reviewed for understanding key terms and their inter-relationship. The reviewed literature showed a trend of water stress and water poverty linkage. However, in this research, the linkage of water stress and water poverty is explored to test the status of water security by using the water poverty index as an assessment tool. For assessing water security specific to Indore, a water supply zone has been selected based upon parameters identified for urban water security. The selected zone is assessed for the water poverty index based upon water resources, water access, water use, capacity, and environment. The subsequent results of these parameters are utilized for knowing the state of water security and devising measures for its enhancement. The result of the water poverty index shows that there is a lack of access to water and poor quality of the environment is also witnessed. These two above-mentioned issues are threatening the water security of the zone. These two issues were kept in mind while formulating relevant suggestions and recommendations. The suggestions to enhance water security were formulated utilizing an integrated water management framework. This framework is utilized due to its holistic approach for considering institutions, equity (environmental and social), and one cycle from storage to recycling. For the application of this framework at the concerned zone, the recommendations are provided into three levels; infrastructural, institutional, and socio-behavioral. At the infrastructural level recommendations about infrastructural development were provided. At the institutional level the alignment of formal and informal institutions was discussed and at last strategies for social dynamics were elaborated.