Sonipat, a rapidly urbanising town in Haryana, exemplifies the challenges posed by growing water demand and dwindling resources. This paper by Khandelwal et al., explores water consumption patterns in Sonipat, focusing on domestic usage, conservation practices, and potential solutions to ensure sustainable water management.
Sonipat is a municipal corporation situated in Haryana, approximately 50 kilometres from Delhi. With a population of 427,270 and around 85,454 households, the town spans 103.9 square kilometres. Sonipat's economy relies on agriculture and industry, with the Yamuna River acting as a major water source.
However, urban growth, driven by infrastructural developments such as the Western Peripheral (Kundli-Manesar-Palwal) and Eastern Peripheral (Kundli-Ghaziabad-Palwal) expressways, as well as the establishment of industrial activities and the consequent population influx, has strained the town's water supply system. This growth has led to a significant demand for residential properties in recent years, resulting in water shortages in specific areas, as reported by the Municipal Corporation (MC) and the Haryana Shahri Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP).
Domestic water supply in the town currently stands at 60.2 million liters per day, sourced from various sources including Ranney wells, the Western Yamuna Canal, and tube wells. However, the town's water supply system falls short of the standards set by the Central Public Health and Environmental Engineering Organization (CPHEEO) service level benchmarking, particularly in terms of coverage and metering.
To analyse water consumption patterns, a survey of 401 households (2,003 respondents) was conducted during the summer of 2022. The study employed mixed methods, including questionnaire-based surveys, diary logs, and secondary data analysis of water bills from 2019 to 2022. Data were analysed using SPSS to identify trends and assess the impact of conservation practices.
Key findings
The average per capita daily water consumption in Sonipat was 181 litres, significantly exceeding the Central Public Health and Environmental Engineering Organisation’s (CPHEEO) standard of 135 litres per capita per day (lpcd). High-consumption wards, such as wards 3, 10, 12, and 18, recorded usage above 200 lpcd due to increased use of water-intensive appliances and low adoption of conservation practices. Conversely, ward 6 reported the lowest consumption at 82 lpcd, attributed to limited water accessibility and infrastructure gaps.
Activity-wise, bathing accounted for the highest water usage, consuming 32% of total daily consumption (58 litres per capita per day). Although bucket baths remained the most common practice among 83% of households, the minority using showers consumed disproportionately more water. Showers, used by 17% of respondents, consumed an average of 92.9 litres per person daily. Toilet flushing was the second-largest contributor, accounting for 21.2% of total water use (38.4 litres per capita daily). Conventional single-flush toilets, present in 69% of surveyed households, significantly increased water consumption compared to dual-flush systems.
Handwashing accounted for 13.2% (24 litres per capita per day), with most respondents using running taps, a habit that exacerbated water wastage. Utensil washing constituted 11% (20 litres per capita daily), with manual dishwashing and running taps being the predominant methods. Laundry consumed 10.3% (18.5 litres per capita daily), with top-loading washing machines using the most water compared to semi-automatic and front-loading machines.
House cleaning, cooking, and drinking collectively accounted for 9.7% of daily water consumption. House cleaning, primarily done using buckets, contributed 3.6% (6.3 litres per capita daily). Drinking and cooking water consumption showed minimal variation, together accounting for 6.1% (11 litres per capita daily). Outdoor activities, such as gardening and vehicle washing, represented 3% (4.4 litres per capita daily). Nearly half of the respondents used hoses to water gardens and wash vehicles, leading to excessive water use compared to bucket-based methods.
The study also revealed significant changes in water consumption trends from 2019 to 2022. During the COVID-19 pandemic, heightened hygiene practices led to a 22% increase in water bills in 2020 compared to the baseline year of 2019. Although consumption stabilised in subsequent years, 18.5% of households continued to report elevated water use due to sustained changes in hygiene-related behaviours.
Despite the high water consumption, the adoption of conservation practices remained limited. Only 2% of households implemented advanced water-saving fixtures, such as low-flow showerheads, dual-flush toilets, or aerator faucets. Moderate conservation practices, such as intermittent tap closure during handwashing or using buckets for cleaning, were observed in 6% of households. Households with high conservation awareness demonstrated significantly lower water consumption, averaging 138 litres per capita daily, compared to 184 litres in households with minimal conservation practices.
Challenges and opportunities
The findings highlighted several challenges in achieving sustainable water management in Sonipat. A major issue was the lack of awareness, with over 55% of respondents unaware of water conservation practices or the importance of groundwater recharge. Behavioural habits, such as running taps during handwashing or using high-flow fixtures, further contributed to wastage. Infrastructure gaps, including inadequate water metering and distribution systems, hindered efficient water resource management.
Despite these challenges, significant opportunities exist to improve water use efficiency in Sonipat. Policy interventions, such as subsidies for water-efficient appliances and incentives for rainwater harvesting, could encourage adoption. Educational initiatives emphasising conservation and efficient usage could foster behavioural change. Technological solutions, such as smart water meters and retrofitting fixtures with aerators or flow restrictors, offer potential for optimising water use.
Recommendations
To address the growing water crisis in Sonipat, a combination of short-term measures and long-term strategies is essential. In the short term, installing water-efficient fixtures, such as low-flow showerheads, dual-flush toilets, and aerator faucets, can significantly reduce consumption. Promoting rainwater harvesting through financial incentives and technical support can enhance water availability. Conducting regular water audits can help identify areas of excessive consumption and potential savings.
Long-term strategies should focus on robust policy frameworks for sustainable water management. Urban planning must integrate water resource conservation, with investments in infrastructure to expand water metering and improve distribution systems. Public awareness campaigns should target common practices that lead to wastage, such as running taps during handwashing, and highlight the benefits of efficient appliances.
Community engagement is crucial for fostering a culture of water stewardship. Workshops on greywater reuse, sustainable gardening, and other conservation techniques can empower residents to contribute to water-saving efforts. Collaborating with local organisations and schools can further amplify these initiatives, ensuring widespread participation.
Sonipat’s water consumption patterns reflect the broader challenges faced by urban centres in India. High per capita usage, coupled with limited adoption of conservation practices, underscores the urgent need for sustainable water management. By implementing policy measures, fostering community awareness, and leveraging technology, Sonipat can serve as a model for efficient water use in urban India. Ensuring equitable and sustainable access to water resources is not just an environmental imperative but a necessity for future generations.