Water security status and associated challenges in Guwahati city (India)

Introduction. Although cities are becoming increasingly developed in all spheres, there occur formidable multidimensional challenges associated with urban development. One such challenge is the water security, as water in the urban areas is the hotspot in regard to its consumption due to fast growing population on small geographical extent. Moreover, the development of urban water system is unable to keep pace with the rapid growth of population in cities, leaving majority of the dwellers lacking access to water supply system. The purpose of article. This study intends to identify the problems associated with the urban water systems, its challenges in effective supply of water and the resultant water insecurity at households. It examines the water infrastructures in the city since its development in 1930 on a spatio-temporal context. The impact of prevailing water infrastructures on the status of households’ water insecurity has also been assessed. Research Methods. Google earth engine software was used to visualize the spatial spread of urban water networks in the city. A kml file generated from the Google earth was converted to compatible layer in ArcGIS. Purposive sampling technique was adopted for household survey in three different zones, based on distance from reservoirs, slope, reservoir capacity and number of household connections from reservoirs. Selection of households from different zones under each scheme was done on the basis of consumers of urban water system and water security status. Water security status at households has been assessed through its components, quantity, quality, reliability and accessibility. Main findings. Water infrastructures have been inadequate since a very long time with just one third of the population having access to the urban water systems. Households reported that enhancing the quantity and quality of water, which constitute vital aspects of water security, requires resorting to diverse strategies, incurs considerable cost and compromises welfare. Moreover, there exists a spatial variation in quantity and quality of water obtained from a shared scheme with increasing distance from service reservoirs/plants. Further, along with poor reliability and accessibility from water supply schemes at households, disparities among different water supply schemes have also been revealed. Scientific novelty and practical value. The article analyzes for the first time the status of urban water security and associated challenges in the city through primary data and information on water infrastructures. The practical value of the study is the possibility of revealing the spatial variation in quantity and quality of water obtained at households despite a shared scheme or system that can be conducted in other studies of developing countries. The results of the study are significant in the context of justifying measures to strategize security of water at individual level.