RO water in Buldhana now costs Rs 15 for a 15-litre can as summer demand rises

With summer approaching, the problem of drinking water has resurfaced in Buldhana. Rising heat, the likelihood of lower rainfall this year and fears of water scarcity are increasing demand for RO-purified water. Rates for RO water have also gone up in this period. Residents now have to pay Rs 15 for 15 litres.

With inflation already high, this additional spending on drinking water is being felt keenly by ordinary people. Prices of essential goods are climbing on one side, and drinking water rates are rising on the other. As water has to be bought for daily needs, it is adding to families' monthly expenses.

Earlier, many families depended on wells, hand pumps and other traditional water sources. But changes in the climate, rising salinity and contaminated water supply led to health complaints among people. Doctors' examinations often began to attribute illnesses to contaminated water. As a result, people preferred to drink purified water from RO plants. Changes in groundwater levels and concern over water quality are also leading people to prefer RO centres.

This demand was earlier limited to cities, but it is now seen growing in villages as well. Besides household use, demand for RO water is coming from shops, small businesses and various institutions.

If water scarcity becomes more severe in the coming summer, organisers may find it difficult to arrange water for weddings, religious events and other public functions. Given the quantity of water needed for large events, their costs may also rise if they depend on RO water. With traditional sources such as wells and hand pumps declining, especially in rural areas, the question of an alternative arrangement is arising.

Homemaker Suman Ingle said RO water is fit to drink from the health point of view. So even though Rs 5 more has to be paid for every 15-litre can, this water will have to be bought for the sake of health, she said.

Shrikisan Jadhav of Buldhana said Rs 15 is not too much for household use. However, since demand for RO water is high at weddings, it will pinch the pocket, he said.

If the heat and water scarcity increase further, the issues of supply against demand, price rises and availability of water could become more serious. The need to plan drinking water use and to conserve traditional water sources is therefore being underlined again.