Groundwater Quality in India Faces Regional Challenges, Calls for Action
By CCN News | Published: Jan 07, 2025
Embedded Files
Image Source: Social
A recent nationwide survey of India’s groundwater quality reveals significant regional disparities, with some areas facing severe contamination while others meet safety standards. Key concerns include high levels of nitrates, fluoride, arsenic, and iron, which threaten public health and agricultural practices. States like Rajasthan, Haryana, and Andhra Pradesh are particularly affected by contamination, while others such as Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram report safe water. Additionally, rising salinity and alkalinity in certain regions pose risks to soil quality and irrigation. The findings underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions to ensure sustainable groundwater management and protect public health and agriculture.
Rising Contamination Threatens Drinking Water and Agriculture
A nationwide groundwater quality survey conducted in 2023 has revealed alarming levels of contamination across India, threatening public health and agricultural practices. The findings, based on a standardized methodology from the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), show widespread issues with high concentrations of harmful substances like nitrates, fluoride, arsenic, and iron.
Nearly 20% of water samples exceeded permissible nitrate levels, while 9.04% surpassed safe fluoride limits. These contaminants are largely linked to agricultural runoff, industrial waste, and natural processes.
Regional Disparities in Water Quality
India’s groundwater quality varies significantly by region. States like Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, and Jammu and Kashmir reported 100% compliance with water safety standards, whereas others such as Rajasthan, Haryana, and Andhra Pradesh are grappling with severe contamination. Elevated nitrate levels were particularly high in agricultural states like Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu, while uranium contamination posed a serious issue in Rajasthan and Punjab.
In addition, high salinity and alkalinity levels in regions like Gujarat and Haryana threaten soil quality and agricultural productivity. These regional disparities highlight the urgency for localized interventions to manage groundwater resources more effectively.
Irrigation Suitability and Long-Term Sustainability at Risk
The report also evaluated groundwater’s suitability for irrigation, a vital concern for India’s agrarian economy. While most regions have groundwater safe for irrigation, some states like Rajasthan, Punjab, and Andhra Pradesh showed signs of unsuitability due to high sodium content and rising salinity.
Notably, the percentage of unsuitable groundwater for irrigation has increased slightly from 7.69% in 2022 to 8.07% in 2023. This trend could lead to long-term soil degradation and threaten food security unless proactive measures are taken to manage groundwater usage and improve water quality.
As groundwater continues to be a critical resource for both drinking and irrigation, experts are calling for improved monitoring, targeted interventions, and better management practices to ensure sustainable use for future generations.
Advertisement
Google Sites
Report abuse