Punjab, India –Villages across Punjab are grappling with a severe drinking water crisis, leaving thousands of residents struggling to meet their daily water needs. The shortage, worsened by over-extraction of groundwater, pollution, and climate change, has turned access to clean water into a daily challenge for rural communities.
In districts such as Mansa, Bathinda, and Fazilka, villagers report walking several kilometres every day to fetch water from handpumps or distant Tubewells—many of which are rapidly drying up. In some areas, the available water is contaminated with high levels of fluoride, arsenic, or nitrates, leading to serious health problems like joint pain, skin diseases, and gastrointestinal disorders.
“We haven’t had clean water in our taps for months,” says Baljeet Kaur, a resident of a village in Sangrur. “My children fall sick frequently, and we’re forced to buy water cans from nearby towns, which we can barely afford.”
Punjab’s heavy reliance on groundwater for agriculture has long been a concern. With paddy cultivation consuming massive amounts of water, the water table has dropped dangerously low. Despite numerous government schemes and water conservation campaigns, the situation has worsened due to a lack of enforcement, poor infrastructure, and limited awareness in rural areas.
Experts warn that if immediate steps are not taken, the crisis could escalate into a full-blown humanitarian emergency. Environmentalists are calling for a shift towards water-efficient crops, rainwater harvesting, and better regulation of groundwater usage.
Meanwhile, villagers continue to bear the brunt. “Water is life,” says Charanjit Singh, an elderly farmer from Muktsar. “But here in our village, even a glass of clean water has become a luxury.”