Contamination of Ground Water
Ground water quality data generated during various scientific studies and ground water quality monitoring by Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) indicates that the ground water in parts of 20 States is contaminated by Fluoride and in 21 States by Nitrate in excess of World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines.
According to guideline, values for contaminants recommended by WHO (2011) for drinking water standards, Fluoride should not be more than 1.5 mg/l and nitrate should not be more than 50 mg/l. BIS limit for Fluoride is same and for Nitrate it is 45 mg/l as against 50 mg/l prescribed by WHO.
Ground water quality monitoring indicates that apart from Fluoride and Nitrate, ten States have excess concentration of Arsenic, twenty four States have higher concentration of Iron and fifteen States have higher concentration of Heavy Metals such as Lead, Chromium and Cadmium beyond norms prescribed by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS-2012).
Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation (MoDWS) has informed that 20% of the allocated funds under National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) are earmarked for water quality problems.
Further, the States may also utilize upto 67% of funds released under NRDWP for improving water quality of ground and surface water. Also, as a long term measure, all the State Governments have been advised to provide piped water supply from alternate safe sources to all water quality affected habitations with priority to cover Fluoride and Arsenic affected habitations. As a short term measure, the States were advised to set up community water treatment plants in all remaining Arsenic, Fluoride, Heavy Metals, toxic elements, pesticides and fertilizers affected habitations, providing 8-10 lpcd( liter per capita per day) of safe drinking water on or before March, 2017.
CGWB carries out exploratory drilling to delineate contaminant free aquifer zones and successful exploratory wells are handed over to the concerned State Agencies for utilization. CGWB also provides technical guidance to State Agencies in tackling the problem of water quality.
Ground water quality data generated during various scientific studies and ground water quality monitoring by Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) indicates that the ground water in parts of 20 States is contaminated by Fluoride and in 21 States by Nitrate in excess of World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines.
According to guideline, values for contaminants recommended by WHO (2011) for drinking water standards, Fluoride should not be more than 1.5 mg/l and nitrate should not be more than 50 mg/l. BIS limit for Fluoride is same and for Nitrate it is 45 mg/l as against 50 mg/l prescribed by WHO.
Ground water quality monitoring indicates that apart from Fluoride and Nitrate, ten States have excess concentration of Arsenic, twenty four States have higher concentration of Iron and fifteen States have higher concentration of Heavy Metals such as Lead, Chromium and Cadmium beyond norms prescribed by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS-2012).
Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation (MoDWS) has informed that 20% of the allocated funds under National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) are earmarked for water quality problems.
Further, the States may also utilize upto 67% of funds released under NRDWP for improving water quality of ground and surface water. Also, as a long term measure, all the State Governments have been advised to provide piped water supply from alternate safe sources to all water quality affected habitations with priority to cover Fluoride and Arsenic affected habitations. As a short term measure, the States were advised to set up community water treatment plants in all remaining Arsenic, Fluoride, Heavy Metals, toxic elements, pesticides and fertilizers affected habitations, providing 8-10 lpcd( liter per capita per day) of safe drinking water on or before March, 2017.
CGWB carries out exploratory drilling to delineate contaminant free aquifer zones and successful exploratory wells are handed over to the concerned State Agencies for utilization. CGWB also provides technical guidance to State Agencies in tackling the problem of water quality.
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