Ninety-five percent of all fresh water on earth is ground water. Ground water is found in natural rock formations. These formations, called aquifers, are a vital natural resource with many uses. Nationally, 53% of the population relies on ground water as a source of drinking water. In rural areas this figure is even higher. Eighty one percent of community water is dependent on ground water. Although the 1992 Section 305(b) State Water Quality Reports indicate that, overall, the Nation’s ground water quality is good to excellent, many local areas have experienced significant ground water contamination.
Ground Water Quality Status
GROUNDWATER QUALITY SERIES: GWQS/ 09/2006-2007
Ground Water Quality Status
GROUNDWATER QUALITY SERIES: GWQS/ 09/2006-2007
In recent years, the increasing threat to groundwater quality due to human activities has become a matter of great concern. A vast majority of groundwater quality problems present today are caused by contamination and by over-exploitation, or by combination of both. Rapid urbanization and industrialization in India has resulted in steep increase of generation of wastes. Due to lack of adequate infrastructure and resources the waste is not properly collected, treated and disposed; leading to accumulation and infiltration causing groundwater contamination. The problem is more severe in and around large cities as also various clusters of industries. In many of these areas groundwater is only source of drinking water, thus a large population is exposed to risk of consuming contaminated water. In this background Central Pollution Control Board with the help of its Zonal offices, the National Institute of Hydrology (NIH) and the Pollution Control Research Institute (PCRI) of Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd. (BHEL) initiated a detailed survey of groundwater quality in problem areas of industrial clusters and metro cities of India. The results of this Survey with respect to 16 problem areas and 8 metro cities are summarized in this Report.
The Report presents the environmental profiles of metropolitan cities and Problem Areas identified by CPCB and their groundwater quality status. The groundwater quality data obtained during Survey were evaluated against drinking water quality requirements [BIS 10500, (1991) & WHO (1996) Standards]. Salinity, nitrate, Coliform & Fluoride are the main water quality issues in the metro cities and problem areas of the country. Considering the competing demand on this scarce resource, the Report highlights the judicious use of groundwater and also remedial measures needed to overcome the problems.
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