Sustainable Water Resource Management: Issues, Challenges & Solutions

Water is one of the most essential and abundant natural resources, playing a crucial role in sustaining life. However, with rapid industrialisation, urbanisation, and population growth, the demand for water has increased significantly across domestic, agricultural, and industrial sectors. Lakes, as dynamic freshwater ecosystems, support a vast array of biodiversity and provide essential services such as drinking water, fisheries, irrigation, industrial activities, and recreation. They also contribute to groundwater recharge, regulate hydrological cycles, and maintain ecological balance. This study focuses on Waithou Lake, one of the major lakes in Manipur, Northeast India. The main objectives of this study are to assess the seasonal variations in the water quality of Waithou Lake and to analyse key physicochemical parameters affecting the lake’s ecosystem. Seasonal sampling (pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon) was conducted in 2024, and water quality parameters were analysed using standard procedures. Key physicochemical parameters measured include water temperature (19.46–27.40°C), electrical conductivity (182.25–401.50 µS/cm), total dissolved solids (90.58–197 mg/L), pH (6.74–7.26), dissolved oxygen (3.01–3.96 mg/L), free carbon dioxide (15.67–39.78 mg/L), chloride (41.18–53.37 mg/L), total alkalinity (197.08-312.08 mg/l) and total hardness (76.33–158.83 mg/L). DO values did not exhibit statistically significant (p>0.05)  seasonal variation; the values consistently remained within the hypoxic range. Total alkalinity showed statistically significant (p<0.05) variation in seasonal variation. The higher values of EC and TDS can be attributed to the urban and agricultural runoff. The findings reveal variations in water quality, which could impact aquatic life and overall ecosystem health and the need for adopting targeted nutrient management strategies to mitigate oxygen depletion and improve the overall water quality of Waithou Lake. Continuous monitoring and sustainable management strategies are necessary to prevent further deterioration and maintain the lake’s ecological integrity. Protecting Waithou Lake is essential not only for preserving biodiversity but also for ensuring its long-term benefits for local communities who rely on it for various needs.