This seminar paper submitted for the UGC Summer Programme at the Jamia Millia Islamia University describes the findings of a study that explored the quantity of water used in domestic households vis-à-vis the recommended quantity of water consumption in seven major Indian cities, namely, Delhi, Kanpur, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Madurai. The study also attempted to find out equity in consumption of water across various socio-economic groups, sources of water supply, perception of households about quality of municipal water, and duration of municipal water supply.
In India, with development, the demand for water is increasing both in urban and rural areas. This has threatened to create increased tension and dispute between these areas for sharing and control over the limited water resources. The emerging scarcity of water has also raised a host of issues related to sustainability of the present pattern of economic development, sustainability of water supply, equity and social justice, water financing, pricing, governance and management.
The study conducted a household survey, to find out the consumption, availability, access and methods adopted for conservation of water in domestic households in the seven major Indian cities in March 2005. The data was collected through structured schedules and the respondents selected were housewives.
The study found that:
A copy of this paper can be accessed from this link: