Bridging the Thirst: Reimagining India's Water Infrastructure for All

While India is expected to maintain its position as the fastest-growing major economy both this year and the following, surpassing its global counterparts, this impressive economic success masks a significant issue: the uneven distribution of infrastructural benefits. The paths of progress diverge sharply. Major cities are increasingly reliant on private water tankers, whereas people in the countryside continue to suffer from acute water scarcity, having no choice but to rely on bore wells or make laborious journeys to meet their minimal daily water needs.

With a huge populace and an expanding economy India's water usage has skyrocketed. Cities are claiming the majority of the water supply, with large volumes being drawn for household consumption, industry, and extensive property development. Paradoxically, it is these very high-rises and secured communities that frequently create an impression that the water infrastructure operates seamlessly and efficiently.

Contrary to appearances, the facts reveal a worrying situation. India's per capita water availability has significantly decreased, falling from 1,816 cubic meters in 2001 to an estimated 1,486 cubic meters in 2021. Forecasts suggest a continued decline to about 1,341 cubic meters by 2025. This strain is set to significantly intensify on already stretched urban water systems, potentially pushing India into the category of a 'water-stressed' nation. A major contributor to the issue is the heavy reliance of many urban supply systems on private tankers, which are drawn from largely unregulated or depleting groundwater sources.

While agriculture consumes the majority of water resources in rural India, the available supply from bore wells and local sources often proves insufficient. Adding to scarcity, the available water is frequently contaminated by industrial waste, farm runoff, and poor sewage handling, leading to serious environmental and public health risks. The challenge extends beyond mere access: proper water storage is also paramount. Many rural communities store water in makeshift drums and containers, leaving the supply highly exposed to microbial contamination. Such storage methods have quietly fuelled the rise of waterborne diseases throughout the country.

A 2023 assessment by the Ministry of Jal Shakti confirms that groundwater is the backbone of India's water usage: it's the primary source of rural drinking water, a key component of urban supply and vital for irrigation. Yet, as rainfall patterns become erratic and natural recharge cycles are disrupted, water tables are dropping precipitously across many regions, making further extraction unsustainable from both economic and environmental perspectives.

The severity of India's water challenge is underscored by its inclusion in the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2025 as one of the top environmental threats globally, with water pollution risk also featuring prominently. India is grappling with a dual crisis: the resource is shrinking, while widespread contamination is compromising the entire supply chain. Therefore, the issue is not simply one of scarcity. The competing demands of domestic, agricultural and industrial consumption are strained by infrastructure that requires upgrading and expansion.

India needs to broaden its view of water infrastructure beyond mere access to incorporate availability and storage. A common limitation in current discussions is the predominant focus on access, which tends to overlook the equally important aspects of storage and supply consistency. Storage tanks serve as decentralised infrastructure; they are active, critical components for achieving last-mile water security. Installing them strategically, especially in locations dependent on tankers or those with low-pressure pipeline service, guarantees a safe, reliable and consistent storage solution, thereby reducing daily unpredictability and decreasing reliance on informal or unreliable sources.

While Government initiatives such as the Jal Jeevan Mission and AMRUT 2.0 have successfully laid a foundation for water infrastructure expansion, their ultimate efficacy relies on the seamless inclusion of localised technology-driven storage solutions within the existing delivery framework. There is a significant, untapped potential in leveraging public-private partnerships (PPPs), which can accelerate the deployment of durable, health-safe water tanks and smart monitoring technologies in both rural and urban environments. These collaborations are key to speeding up infrastructure modernisation without overextending public funds, thereby promoting scalable and equitable water security for every community.

An inclusive governance model is critical; it must treat the urban and rural sectors not as separate problems but as interconnected parts of a single system, thereby bridging the existing divide. Adopting such an approach is more than just a smart policy choice; it is a national imperative to secure sustainable and equitable water management throughout the country.

Because water transcends being a mere basic resource and is instead a shared responsibility, it necessitates an infrastructure system grounded in the values of dignity, equity and foresight, one that is capable of providing for every Indian now and in the future.