Sustainable Water Resource Management

Water is an essential resource for life and good health. It is the most precious natural resource that exists on our planet. As with most developing countries, access to safe water is a major challenge in Nigeria. Ground water and tap water are the major sources of drinking water. These sources are said to be unsafe which led to the emergence of the packaged and bottled water businesses. These businesses suffer from various socioeconomic challenges such as epileptic power supply, distribution problems, pollution and integrity concerns etc. The aim of this research paper is to examine and discuss socioeconomic impacts of these businesses with a view of identifying the socioeconomic impacts and to extend the existing literature on socioeconomic impacts of these businesses. The main sources of data were journals, conference, text books, newspapers, and the internet sources etc., which were used to review literatures in the water business field. The result shows that the socioeconomic impacts of packaged and bottled water businesses identified in this work were as follows: it provides employment to male, female, young and old people; provides income which increases living condition thereby reducing crime; offers business opportunities and ventures that provide alternative low-cost and hygienic water; provides companies with profits by providing more access to water; engages the small scale (packaged and bottled) water manufacturers thereby increasing government revenue such as Tax etc. and offers water at affordable price due to more access. These impact Nigerians socially, economically and also the business environment from which they operate.

Keywords: Bottled water, Businesses, Nigeria, Packaged Water and Socioeconomic Impacts etc.

Water is one of the important natural resources that humanity needs for survival and progress. The judicious use and management of water resources is very much essential for agricultural development leading to improvement in the quality of life of the people in general. Although a number of efforts have been undertaken by many welfare functionaries in this direction; but, by and large, the fruits have not been favourable in the case of tribes and backward communities worldwide. This is especially so in the case of developing countries like India where about seventy percent of the population reside in the rural areas depending on agricultural activities for their livelihoods. The state of Jharkhand (a resource – rich– poor state) in eastern India is no exception to it. Under such circumstances, people’s participation or collective action as an alternative way in the management of water resources for the agricultural development leading to future progress and prosperity becomes very much necessary. 
In this backdrop, the present study is intended to examine the structure, function and management of a water user group – Swarnrekha Pani Panchayat in one of the tribal villages of eastern India (in Jamshedpur district, Jharkhand). The study also attempts to analyze the newly generated institutional framework in terms of its sustainability and self reliance through collective action for social transformation. The study is based on ethnographic approach using standard fieldwork research technique like observations, in-depth interviews, case studies and focused group discussions among the experimental (21 members of Pani Panchayat) and controlled (21 non-members) groups of the study area. The study reveals that there has been a significant change in the quality of life of the water user group members in the study area. However, despite a strong sense of identity and social bond there are tendencies to evade individual responsibilities governing the collectiveness. It may be concluded that such newly formed institutions need stimulation to strengthen collective action approach for bringing transformation among these backward groups.