UPSC Prelims 2013 Q77: Geography – Economic & Mineral Geography
Which one among the following industries is the maximum consumer of water in India?
- (a) Engineering
- (b) Paper and pulp
- (c) Textiles
- (d) Thermal power
Answer: (d) Thermal power
Explanation
Industry that consumes the most water in India
Thermal power plants use by far the most water among industries.
Water is needed to make steam, to cool the plant and to handle ash.
| Industry | Share of industrial water use |
|---|---|
| (d) Thermal power | The largest, well over four-fifths |
| (a) Engineering | Small |
| (b) Paper and pulp | Small, though high per tonne of product |
| (c) Textiles | Small |
Water use in India by sector:
| Sector | Share (about) |
|---|---|
| Agriculture (irrigation) | 80 to 85 percent |
| Industry | About 10 percent or less |
| Domestic | About 5 to 8 percent |
Steps to cut power-plant water use: water consumption limits notified in 2015; use of treated sewage water by plants near cities.
Answer: (d) Thermal power.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Engineering units use far less water than power plants.
- (b) Incorrect. Paper and pulp is water-intensive per tonne, but small in total.
- (c) Incorrect. Textiles use much less water in total than thermal power.
- (d) CORRECT. Thermal power is the largest industrial consumer of water in India.
Key point
Thermal power plants are India's largest industrial water users (steam, cooling, ash handling); agriculture uses about 80 percent of all water.
Remember
Biggest industrial water user = thermal power.
Common mistakes
- Choosing paper or textiles, which are known as polluting industries.
- Confusing water use with water pollution.
- Forgetting that agriculture, not industry, is the biggest user overall.
Exam tip
Steam and cooling need huge volumes. Power plants beat every other industry.
Sources
- Central Pollution Control Board — Water use in Indian industry
- Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change — Water consumption norms for thermal power plants (2015)