Safe Drinking Water Solutions in Parts of West Bengal, India: Combating Health Issues Through Participatory Water Management

Abstract

The world is facing a global water crisis with the capacity of the hydrological cycle to supply water challenged by excessive demand, pollution of water resources and poor water management. Many districts in West Bengal are affected by diminishing water reserves and exposure to contaminants in the groundwater system with serious health impacts. Exposure to polluted water can cause diarrhoea, skin irritation and respiratory problems, depending on the pollutant present in the water body. Given the vital role of water in sustainable development, it is important that the community takes up the responsibility of providing safe drinking water. The emphasis would be on the voluntary participation of the users, the providers and the science community in finding solutions to health issues that result from contamination of drinking water. As no universal model may be suited to combat health problems, community-specific sustainable options need to be adopted. Disseminating scientific and correct information among the population coupled with increased community participation and education are recognized as necessary adjuncts for an intervention to be successful and sustainable. The objectives of this research include creating awareness about health impacts of poor quality drinking water, to assess the socio-cultural factors that determine the risk of exposure to contaminated drinking water, provision of an interactive platform for information sharing, co-designing solutions involving the local communities and the local governance and to suggest policy interventions to resolve water issues.