Groundwater contamination in India has escalated into a silent yet severe public health emergency, affecting millions dependent on it for drinking water and irrigation.
What is Groundwater?
Groundwater is water that exists underground in saturated zones beneath the land surface. The upper surface of the saturated zone is called the water table
Dependence on Groundwater
- Over 85% of rural drinking water and 65% of irrigation water in India comes from groundwater.
- Despite abundant rivers and monsoons, groundwater remains the primary source for domestic and agricultural needs.
Central Ground Water Board (CGWB)
- CGWB is the apex national organization responsible for the development and management of groundwater resources in India.
- Nodal Ministry: Functions under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation.
- Establishment: Established in 1970 by renaming the Exploratory Tube wells Organization (ETO) under the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India.
- Later, it was merged with the Ground Water Wing of the Geological Survey of India in 1972.
- Mandate: Its role includes carrying out scientific surveys, monitoring, assessment, and formulation of policies for sustainable groundwater utilization across the country.
- Report : Publishes Annual Groundwater Quality Report.
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Nature of the Crisis
- Groundwater is increasingly contaminated with nitrates, heavy metals, industrial toxins, fluoride, arsenic, uranium, and microbes.
- Pollution stems from overuse of fertilisers, industrial discharge, leaching from septic tanks, and excessive extraction.
- The 2024 CGWB Report shows contamination in over 20% of samples from 440 districts.
| Contamination |
Areas Impacted |
Health Impacts |
| Fluoride |
- 230 districts across 20 states.
- High prevalence in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh
- Eg: Shivpuri: 2.92 mg/L (WHO limit 1.5 mg/L)
|
Skeletal fluorosis causing joint pain, bone deformities, stunted growth (especially in children) |
| Arsenic |
- Gangetic belt : West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Assam
- Eg: Ballia,U.P. is 200 µg/L (20× WHO limit of 10 µg/L)
|
Skin lesions, gangrene, respiratory illness, cancers (linked to >10,000 cancer cases) |
| Nitrate |
- Rampant in northern India.
- 56% of districts above safe levels
- WHO Limit: 50 mg/L
|
“Blue baby syndrome” in infants (when mixed in formula milk),
28% rise in hospital admissions from nitrate toxicity in five years |
| Uranium |
- Punjab’s Malwa region
- 66% samples are risky for children.
- Exceeds WHO Limit of 30 µg/L.
|
Kidney damage, developmental risks in children |
| Heavy Metals (Lead, Cadmium, Chromium, Mercury) |
- Industrial belts like Kanpur (U.P.), Vapi (Gujarat).
- WHO Limits:
- 0.01 mg/L for lead
- 0.003 mg/L for cadmium
- 0.05 mg/L for chromium
- 6 µg/litre for inorganic mercury.
|
Developmental delays, anaemia, neurological damage |
| Pathogens |
- Areas with sewage infiltration/leaking septic systems
- Eg: Paikarapur, Bhubaneswar more than 500 residents fell ill due to water contamination.
|
Cholera, hepatitis, dysentery outbreaks |
Why Does the Crisis Persist?
- Institutional Fragmentation: Agencies like CGWB, CPCB, SPCBs, and Ministry of Jal Shakti work in silos with poor coordination.
- Weak Legal Enforcement: The Water Act, 1974 scarcely addresses groundwater; compliance is lax and loopholes favour polluters.
- Lack of Real-Time Data: Monitoring is infrequent; absence of early warning systems delays intervention.
- Over-Extraction: Excessive pumping lowers water tables, concentrating pollutants and worsening salinity intrusion.
Suggestion to address the Crisis
- Regulatory Reforms: Establish a National Groundwater Pollution Control Framework and empower CGWB with enforcement powers.
- Modern Monitoring Systems: Deploy real-time sensors, remote sensing, and open-access platforms; integrate with health surveillance systems.
- Targeted Remediation: mInstall community-level arsenic and fluoride removal plants; improve piped water access.
- Waste and Industrial Reforms: Enforce Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD), regulate landfills, and penalise illegal discharges.
- Agrochemical Management: mPromote organic farming, regulate fertiliser use, and ensure balanced nutrient management.
- Citizen-Centric Governance: Involve panchayats, water user groups, and schools in water testing, monitoring, and awareness.
Conclusion
India’s groundwater crisis is no longer about scarcity but safety and survival. Urgent, coordinated action is essential to prevent irreversible damage to public health, ecosystems, and future generations.
Additional Reading: Heavy Metal Contamination
8 Aug 2025
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