How do increasing number of industries ’ exert pressure on existing fresh water resources?
Ans. After independence, industries are increasing in a-, rapid pace and have become a reason for pressure on existing fresh water resources. Fresh water is almost limited, though renewable in India, but over-exploitation and mismanagement of this resource by industries are aggravating the water stress day-by-day.
(i) Industries especially heavy industries use huge amount of fresh water for industrial purpose and pollute and waste such water.
(ii) These industries for their energy consumption purpose depend on hydroelectric projects and this electricity is generated through damming the rivers upstream. So, the river almost dries in the lower stream areas.
(iii) Again industries dump the chemical waste in the river, lake, etc. which then consequently pollute the water dangerously for human survival.
These also contaminate the groundwater through seepage of industrial wastes. So, the increasing number of industries exert pressure on existing fresh water resources.