The Government is all set to put into shape a new ‘National water Policy’ by the end of 2011, nine years after the last document. The National Water Policy, which lays down the framework for the government's plan of action and covers various aspects like allocation of water, groundwater conservation, rainwater harvesting and interlinking of rivers, was first formulated in 1987. It was reviewed in 2002, and another is underway.  On factor that hastened review of the National Water Policy 2002 is the issue of climate change. ‘The review will assess the possible impact of climate change on water resources and the remedial steps required,' a senior official of the water resources ministry notified. He said most studies on climate change projected scenarios rather than quantified facts. 

Eighteen percent of water supplied by the Delhi Jal Board is unfit for drinking and every fifth person in the city is consuming contaminated water, according to the  Municipal Corporation of Delhi's Public Health Committee. This comes at a time when 60 percent of the households in Delhi consume Delhi Jal Board Water.

According to the The Second Irrigation Commission in their report of 1972 recommended a provision of 50 b.cu.m. for industrial purpose for the country as a whole. However, a recent assessment indicates that requirement for industrial use during  2000 AD is about about 30 b.cu.m. while it will rise to 120 b.cu.m by 2025 AD.