Agricultural water deficit and wastewater reuse potential in Patiala district, Punjab

The study examines future rainfall patterns, runoff generation, and net water deficits in the Patiala district of Punjab for ۲۰۲۴, ۲۰۳۰, ۲۰۳۵, and ۲۰۴۰, with a particular focus on agricultural water demand. Projections reveal a steady rise in average annual rainfall, increasing from ۷۳۵.۹۹ mm in ۲۰۲۴ to ۷۵۷.۲۷ mm by ۲۰۴۰, which translates into higher runoff, from ۲.۳۷ to ۲.۴۴ billion m³. Despite this positive trend, water scarcity remains a pressing concern. Under minimum irrigation consumption scenarios, the net water deficit declines moderately from ۰.۲۵۲ billion m³ (۹.۶۱%) in ۲۰۲۴ to ۰.۱۸۳ billion m³ (۶.۹۹%) in ۲۰۴۰, suggesting slight relief. However, under maximum consumption scenarios, the deficit persists at alarming levels, decreasing only marginally from ۱.۵۷ billion m³ (۳۹.۹۳%) to ۱.۵۱ billion m³ (۳۸.۱۹%) over the same period. These results indicate that even with marginal increases in rainfall, rapidly growing agricultural demand will continue to place severe pressure on water resources. The study emphasizes the urgent need for sustainable water management, including efficient irrigation systems, groundwater recharge, wastewater reuse, and rainwater harvesting. Reuse of wastewater can fulfil upto ۳۳.۲% of the deficit from rainfall. Therefore, the study suggests to reuse the wastewater generated from the rural area of the study after some basic treatments which will reduce the load on groundwater as well reliance on rainfall.

کلیدواژه ها:

Agriculture ، Rainfall Trend ، Water Deficiency ، Wastewater generation ، Low-cost wastewater treatment ،