As Gujarat grapples with escalating water scarcity this summer, a recent analysis from the urban development department has unveiled some unexpected and intriguing water consumption trends across the state.
Contrary to assumptions, smaller municipalities are outpacing larger cities in per capita water usage. In an eye-opening revelation, the average resident of Sanand Nagarpalika uses 217 litres of water daily, surpassing the 200 litres per day consumed by an average Amdavadi. This finding defies the typical expectation that major urban centres would have higher water consumption rates. Nakhatrana town emerges as the highest consumer, with a staggering 286 litres per capita daily (LPCD), significantly above the national average of 150 LPCD and higher than major cities like Ahmedabad (200 LPCD) and Surat (182 LPCD).
The report has revealed some surprising figures. “Among the 77 urban local bodies (ULBs) reliant on water from the Narmada river, 21 supply over 155 litres per capita per day (LPCD), while 15 nagarpalikas provide less than 100 LPCD to their residents,” says a senior UDD official. “Chorwad under the Bhavnagar water supply command area and Salya under Rajkot water supply region have the lowest per capita water consumption at 61 and 44 LPCD, respectively. These two are completely dependent upon Narmada water.”
Following closely behind Nakhatrana are Morbi (268 LPCD) and Chanasma (251 LPCD), suggesting that factors such as industrial activity, agricultural practices, or inefficient water distribution systems could be influencing these elevated consumption levels. Other towns such as Visnagar (222 LPCD) and Thara (221 LPCD) also feature prominently on the list, further indicating that water consumption patterns may not be directly proportional to population size. In contrast, major municipal corporations show varied water usage figures. Vadodara leads with 237 LPCD, followed by Bhavnagar (213 LPCD) and Rajkot (209 LPCD). Ahmedabad, despite being the state’s financial hub, records a relatively moderate consumption of 200 LPCD.
Interestingly, Surat has now surpassed Ahmedabad in terms of population served, with Surat’s civic body catering to 8.2 million residents compared to Ahmedabad’s 8 million. This rise is attributed to a significant influx of migrant populations. These findings highlight the need for a closer examination of water usage patterns and the underlying causes in smaller municipalities. Efficient water management strategies and targeted interventions could be crucial in addressing the state’s growing water scarcity challenges.
