Introduction

Abstract

Water is one of the fundamental natural resources on which the sustenance of society depends. Decades of economic and industrial growth have resulted in lifestyles that increase the demands on water resources simultaneous with increases in water pollution levels. The availability and the quality of the freshwater resources are the most pressing of the many environmental challenges in India. On the other hand, wastewater is one of the main causes of irreversible ecosystem degradation. It calls for proper measures. This chapter provides a discussion on the link between environment and development and deals with the problem of water pollution and development. An accounting of water resources with consumption and availability has been offered for India. A brief review of literature primarily covering the effects of water pollution, water quality indices, and wastewater treatment is presented. A gap in the literature is also identified. Finally, this chapter highlights the outline of this book and the objective.