Read the following passage and answer the question.

Given the precarious condition of its ground and surface water resources (rivers, stream, lakes, wetlands and reservoirs). India could be a water-scarce country in the next 40 years. With 1,486 cubic meters (∼1.5 million litres) of water available per person, per annum. India falls in the water stressed category. A dip below 1000 cubic meters per person, per annum will push it into the waterscarce category.

The manner of water consumption also compounds the problem. Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) statistics show the indiscriminate use of ground water turned 4% of the total 7,809 assessed units in the country critical in 2022 while 14% were assessed as over-exploited. The situation was worse in 2017 when 17% of the units overexploited. Various recharge and conservation efforts have borne fruit but the number of such units remain high in state like Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

In India, 87% of groundwater is extracted for irrigation and experts say excess withdrawal round the year may be the biggest reason for depletion, as the recharge primarily happens in the monsoon. On the other hand encroachment of water bodies and the discharge of untreated waster water into rivers and streams have reduced the surface water resources.

Identify the factors responsible for depletion of water resources.

(A) High consumption of water in agricultural sector

(B) High consumption of water in Commercial sector

(C) Encroachment of water bodies

(D) Excessive water use in domestic sector

(E) Discharge of untreated waste water in rivers and streams.

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

The correct answer is A, C & E only.

Let us analyze the factors responsible for the depletion of water resources step-by-step based on the provided passage:

Step 1: Analyze Statement (A) - High consumption of water in agricultural sector
The passage explicitly states: "In India, 87% of groundwater is extracted for irrigation and experts say excess withdrawal round the year may be the biggest reason for depletion...". Since irrigation is the primary activity of the agricultural sector, the high consumption of water in agriculture is indeed a major factor. Therefore, (A) is correct.

Step 2: Analyze Statement (B) - High consumption of water in Commercial sector
The passage does not mention water consumption in the commercial sector as a factor contributing to depletion or stress. Therefore, (B) is not supported by the text.

Step 3: Analyze Statement (C) - Encroachment of water bodies
The passage directly points out: "...encroachment of water bodies and the discharge of untreated waster water into rivers and streams have reduced the surface water resources." Thus, encroachment of water bodies reduces available surface water resources, making (C) correct.

Step 4: Analyze Statement (D) - Excessive water use in domestic sector
The passage does not mention domestic water usage as a driver for the depletion of water resources. Therefore, (D) is not supported by the text.

Step 5: Analyze Statement (E) - Discharge of untreated waste water in rivers and streams
As stated in the final paragraph: "...discharge of untreated waster water into rivers and streams have reduced the surface water resources." Therefore, discharging untreated wastewater directly contributes to the depletion of usable water resources, making (E) correct.

Conclusion:
Combining our findings, the factors supported by the passage are (A), (C), and (E). Thus, the correct option choice is A, C & E only.