Delhi Jal Board Faces 45,000 Water Contamination Complaints in Nine Months
Delhi Jal Board addresses rising water contamination complaints, focusing on curbing incidents.
Photo by Naja Bertolt Jensen
Key Facts
Water contamination complaints: 45,000 in 9 months
UPSC Exam Angles
GS Paper II: Governance, Polity - Issues related to water management and urban governance
GS Paper III: Environment - Water pollution, conservation, and sustainable development
Potential question types: Statement-based, analytical questions on water governance and challenges
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Background
The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) was established in 1998, but its roots trace back to the Delhi Water Supply and Sewage Disposal Undertaking, formed in 1958. This earlier body was created to address the growing water and sanitation needs of a rapidly expanding Delhi. Before that, water management was handled by various municipal committees with limited coordination.
The creation of a dedicated body in 1958 marked a significant step towards centralized water management. The DJB's formation in 1998 was intended to further streamline operations and improve efficiency, reflecting the increasing complexity of Delhi's water challenges. The historical context reveals a gradual evolution towards a more structured and comprehensive approach to water supply and sanitation in the capital.
Latest Developments
In recent years, the DJB has focused on several key initiatives, including the rehabilitation of old water pipelines, the implementation of advanced water treatment technologies, and the expansion of the water distribution network to underserved areas. There has been an increased emphasis on rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge to augment water resources. The DJB has also been exploring the use of treated wastewater for non-potable purposes, such as irrigation and industrial use.
Looking ahead, the DJB aims to further reduce water losses through leakage and theft, improve water quality monitoring, and enhance customer service. The focus is shifting towards sustainable water management practices to ensure long-term water security for Delhi.
Practice Questions (MCQs)
1. Consider the following statements regarding the Delhi Jal Board (DJB): 1. The DJB was established as a statutory body in 1998. 2. The DJB is solely responsible for water supply and sewage disposal in the entire National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. 3. The Lieutenant Governor of Delhi is the ex-officio chairperson of the DJB. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 only
- B.1 and 3 only
- C.2 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: B
Statement 2 is incorrect because other agencies also play a role. Statements 1 and 3 are correct.
2. Which of the following initiatives is/are directly related to improving water quality and reducing contamination in urban areas? 1. Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) 2. Swachh Bharat Mission 3. National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- A.1 only
- B.2 only
- C.1 and 2 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: C
AMRUT focuses on urban infrastructure, including water supply. Swachh Bharat Mission includes sanitation aspects. NMCG is focused on the Ganga river basin.
3. Assertion (A): High levels of water contamination can lead to waterborne diseases and pose a significant public health risk. Reason (R): Inadequate infrastructure and poor maintenance of water distribution systems contribute to water contamination. In the context of the above statements, which of the following is correct?
- A.Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
- B.Both A and R are true, but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
- C.A is true, but R is false
- D.A is false, but R is true
Show Answer
Answer: A
Both the assertion and reason are correct, and the reason correctly explains why high contamination leads to public health risks.