City authorities must prioritise water reuse systems to reduce dependence on depleting groundwater reserves, experts said at an event organised by Navbharat Times and the Uttar Pradesh groundwater department on recently. Dr Asad Umar from the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) India stressed the need for public awareness. Despite a 45,000-km river network, effective water management remains a challenge. WaterAid India's state programme director Smriti Singh said water use and reuse should be integrated at the project planning stage. She highlighted the role of women in water management and recommended recharging dug wells in chemically contaminated areas.