Which one among the following industries is the maximum consumer of water in India?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2013 Prelims]
(a) Engineering
(b) Paper and pulp
(c) Textiles
(d) Thermal power
Answer: (d)
Explanation:
- Despite the fact that the industrial sector only uses three percent of India’s annual water withdrawals, it still significantly contributes to water pollution, especially in urban areas.
- The government is considering establishing an agency similar to the Bureau of Energy Efficiency to promote water conservation, with a focus on water-intensive industries such as thermal power plants, textiles, pulp, and chemicals.
- Thermal power plants consume the most water in the industry, accounting for 88% of total industrial water use, followed by engineering (5.05%), pulp & paper (2.26%), and textiles (2.07%) industries.
Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.
