Urban Water Governance and Infrastructure Risks for UPSC Prelims – Prelims Specific

Introduction

The recurring issue of drinking water contamination in urban centers highlights significant failures in civic infrastructure and governance. It underscores the critical need for integrated planning of underground utility networks to prevent cross-contamination between water supply and sewage lines, a challenge intensified by rapid and unplanned urban expansion.

Why in News?

• Recent reports of sewage-contaminated water in residential colonies in Delhi have triggered discussions on the state of urban water supply networks.
• The event has raised concerns regarding the maintenance of aging infrastructure and the recurring phenomenon of cross-contamination due to pipeline leaks and pressure imbalances.

Static Link

• Topic: Urban Governance and Civic Infrastructure.
• The 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, devolved the function of water supply (for domestic, industrial, and commercial purposes) to Municipalities as per the 12th Schedule of the Constitution.
• Failure of these systems indicates issues in municipal service delivery and public asset management.

Institutional Link

• Municipal Corporations: Primary bodies responsible for laying, maintaining, and testing urban water and sewage infrastructure.
• Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS): Formulates the IS 10500:2012 standard, which defines physical, chemical, and bacteriological requirements for potable water.
• Jal Jeevan Mission (Urban) and AMRUT: Central government missions focused on universal tap water coverage and the improvement of water supply and sewerage infrastructure in statutory towns.

Core Prelims Facts

• Negative Pressure: Occurs in intermittent water supply systems when pipe pressure drops, causing the pipe to suck in surrounding contaminated groundwater or sewage through leaks.
• 12th Schedule: Explicitly lists water supply for domestic, industrial, and commercial purposes under the functional jurisdiction of Urban Local Bodies.
• IS 10500:2012: The national benchmark for drinking water quality.
• GIS Mapping: Digital mapping of underground utilities is considered a key solution to prevent accidental damage and cross-contamination during construction or maintenance.

Important Terms and Concepts

• Intermittent Supply: A water delivery system where water is supplied for only a few hours a day, leading to depressurization of pipes.
• 24×7 Water Supply: A system that maintains constant positive pressure in pipelines, ensuring that leaks result in water leaking out rather than sewage leaking in.

Schemes / Laws / Reports

• 74th Constitutional Amendment Act: Empowered urban local bodies for basic civic amenities.
• Jal Jeevan Mission (Urban): Targets universal coverage of water supply in all statutory towns.
• AMRUT: Focuses on water supply, sewerage, and septage management in cities.

Possible UPSC Prelims Traps

• Assumption Trap: The 74th Amendment mandates water supply as a function of the State Government rather than Municipalities (Incorrect: It is a municipal function).
• Technical Trap: Assuming that water pipes and sewer lines can be safely laid at the same depth without horizontal/vertical clearance (Incorrect: Engineering norms require strict separation).
• Absolute Statement Trap: Statements suggesting that 24×7 supply is purely an economic issue rather than a public health necessity (Incorrect: It is a critical health intervention).

One-Minute Revision Notes

• Water supply and sanitation are municipal functions under the 12th Schedule.
• IS 10500:2012 sets the BIS quality standards for drinking water.
• Negative pressure in intermittent supply lines is a primary cause of cross-contamination.
• Integrated GIS mapping is essential for modern urban infrastructure management.

Practice MCQ for Prelims

Q. With reference to urban water governance in India, consider the following statements

1. Under the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, water supply for domestic purposes is a mandatory function of Municipalities.

2. The Indian Standard (IS) 10500:2012 provides guidelines for the quality of drinking water.

3. Negative pressure in water distribution pipes can lead to the suction of contaminated groundwater into the supply line.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A) 1 and 2 only

B) 2 and 3 only

C) 1 and 3 only

D) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: D

Explanation: All three statements are factually correct. The 74th Amendment includes water supply in the 12th Schedule; IS 10500:2012 is the standard for water quality; and negative pressure in pipelines is a known technical cause of contamination.