Daily News Analysis

Report on Groundwater Contamination

stylish_lining

Report on Groundwater Contamination

The Central Groundwater Board (CGWB) recently released a report highlighting alarming levels of groundwater contamination across India. It indicates a troubling rise in nitrate contamination, among other pollutants, affecting both public health and the environment.

Key Findings of the CGWB Report

  1. Increase in Nitrate Contamination:

    • By 2023, 440 districts reported excessive nitrate levels in groundwater, an increase from 359 districts in 2017.

    • 56% of India's districts now have nitrate concentrations exceeding the safe limit of 45 mg per litre.

  2. Regional Hotspots:

    • Rajasthan (49%), Karnataka (48%), and Tamil Nadu (37%) are the states with the highest levels of nitrate contamination.

    • Other affected states include Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh, especially in central and southern India.

  3. Monsoon Impact:

    • Nitrate contamination increases post-monsoon, with 32.66% of samples exceeding safe limits during the rainy season, compared to 30.77% pre-monsoon.

  4. Other Groundwater Contaminants:

    • Fluoride contamination remains significant in states like Rajasthan, Haryana, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.

    • Uranium contamination is also widespread, especially in over-exploited zones in Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka.

  5. Groundwater Extraction:

    • 60.4% of groundwater is being extracted across India, with a steady rate since 2009.

    • 73% of groundwater blocks are now classified as in the 'safe' zone, a significant improvement from 67.4% in 2022.

The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB)

  • Established in 1970 under the Ministry of Water Resources (now Ministry of Jal Shakti), CGWB is the apex body for managing, monitoring, and regulating groundwater resources in India.

  • The Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA), set up under the Environmental Protection Act, 1986, regulates groundwater development.

Key Functions:

  • Groundwater monitoring and water quality assessments.

  • Implementation of schemes for artificial recharge and rainwater harvesting to enhance groundwater levels.

  • Releases hydrogeological reports, year books, and Atlases.

Sources of Groundwater Contamination

  1. Agricultural Practices:

    • Overuse of fertilizers and pesticides leads to nitrate and phosphate leaching into the soil, contaminating groundwater.

    • Over-irrigation and excessive groundwater extraction exacerbate the issue.

  2. Storage Tanks and Hazardous Sites:

    • Corroding tanks can leak gasoline, oil, or chemicals into groundwater.

    • Abandoned hazardous waste sites and landfills pose significant contamination risks if protective barriers are damaged.

  3. Septic Systems:

    • Poorly maintained septic systems may leak waste and chemicals, polluting groundwater.

  4. Atmospheric Contaminants:

    • Contaminants from the atmosphere or surface water can infiltrate and eventually reach groundwater.

  5. Deforestation:

    • Deforestation disrupts natural filtration processes, leading to increased runoff and pollutants reaching groundwater systems.

Implications of Groundwater Contamination

  1. Health Risks:

    • Nitrates, fluoride, and heavy metals are associated with significant health issues. Methemoglobinemia (Blue Baby Syndrome) caused by excessive nitrate contamination can be fatal for infants.

  2. Waterborne Diseases:

    • Groundwater contamination increases the risk of waterborne diseases, especially in rural areas where water treatment systems are inadequate.

  3. Food Safety:

    • Heavy metals and other pollutants from contaminated groundwater can accumulate in crops, affecting food safety and public health.

  4. Environmental Impact:

    • Nitrate pollution can disrupt local ecosystems, affecting plant and aquatic life.

    • Soil contamination and salinization caused by pollutants can impact agricultural productivity.

  5. Economic Costs:

    • Treatment of contaminated groundwater is costly.

    • Chronic contamination reduces the availability of clean water, leading to water scarcity and potential socio-economic crises.

Measures Taken to Curtail Groundwater Contamination

  1. Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA):

    • A nationwide campaign focusing on water conservation and groundwater recharge.

  2. National Aquifer Mapping and Management Program (NAQUIM):

    • A comprehensive program aimed at mapping groundwater resources and managing them sustainably.

  3. Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABHY):

    • A scheme aimed at improving groundwater management in water-stressed areas through community participation and technology.

  4. Pollution Control Programs:

    • The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and State Pollution Control Boards enforce pollution control measures under the Water (Prevention and Control) Act, 1974.

    • Efforts to install Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) and Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) to treat water before being released into the environment.

  5. Public Awareness Campaigns:

    • Programs like “Catch the Rain” and the Swachh Bharat Mission educate the public about groundwater protection.

    • The Rajiv Gandhi National Ground Water Training and Research Institute (RGNGT&RI) provides training to stakeholders.

Way Forward

  1. Regulate Fertilizer Use:

    • There is a need for stricter regulation on the overuse of nitrogenous fertilizers in agriculture. Encouraging sustainable farming practices can help mitigate nitrate contamination.

  2. Promote Rainwater Harvesting:

    • Encouraging the harvesting of rainwater and replenishing groundwater through natural processes can help reduce dependence on over-exploited aquifers.

  3. Improved Waste Management:

    • Efficient waste management systems, especially in urban areas, can help prevent groundwater contamination.

    • Decentralized waste treatment and recycling initiatives can reduce contamination risks.

  4. Stricter Monitoring and Policies:

    • Increased monitoring of groundwater quality and more stringent regulations regarding chemical contaminants are necessary to curb further contamination.

Conclusion

The CGWB report underscores the growing issue of groundwater contamination in India, with significant health, environmental, and economic implications. Measures such as improved agricultural practices, better waste management, enhanced monitoring, and public awareness campaigns are critical for addressing this challenge. Sustainable groundwater management and conservation are essential to ensure safe water for future generations.


 

India-UK Vision 2035

The Indian Prime Minister's visit to London was indeed a significant diplomatic milestone, as it unveiled the India–UK Vision 2035 roadmap and formalized the Comprehensive Economic and T
Share It

Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989

The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 is a critical piece of legislation designed to protect the rights and dignity of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled
Share It

Financial Inclusion Index

The Financial Inclusion Index (FI-Index), as reported by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), is a key metric that measures the level of financial inclusion across the country. Overview of the Fin
Share It

International Seabed Authority

The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is currently in the midst of negotiations regarding the extraction of metals from the high seas, particularly as U.S. efforts to fast-track this practice h
Share It

Election of Vice-President of India

Article 64 of the Constitution of India specifies that the Vice-President's post cannot remain vacant for any period of time, as it is essential for the functioning of the Rajya Sabha (Council
Share It

Maharashtra Scraps Hindi as Compulsory Third Language

The Maharashtra government recently scrapped its Government Resolutions (GRs) that mandated Hindi as a compulsory third language from Grades 1 to 5 in Marathi and English medium schools. While the
Share It

River Pollution in India

The Delhi government's focus on cleaning up the Yamuna River is part of a larger national effort to rejuvenate the Ganga River and its tributaries, in alignment with the Namami Gange Programme
Share It

Infrastructure Failures

The recent collapse of the Mahisagar River Bridge in Vadodara, which tragically claimed the lives of 20 people, underscores the growing concern over India's infrastructure quality. Similar
Share It

Special Intensive Revision (SIR)

The Supreme Court (SC) is currently reviewing the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) process for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, suggesting that Aadhaar,
Share It

GM Crop

In ongoing trade talks, the United States is advocating for India to open its agriculture market to genetically modified (GM) crops. However, India has firmly rejected this proposal, citing concer
Share It

Newsletter Subscription


ACQ IAS
ACQ IAS