Introduction

The 2024 Annual Groundwater Quality Report, published by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), has revealed alarming levels of widespread groundwater contamination across India. With over 600 million Indians depending on groundwater daily for drinking, irrigation, and industrial purposes, this pollution has evolved from being a mere environmental concern to a severe public health crisis. The report underscores the urgent need for policy reform, regulatory enforcement, and integrated management of India’s groundwater resources.

Major Causes of Groundwater Contamination in India

1. Industrial Pollution

• Unregulated discharge of heavy metals like lead, cadmium, chromium, and mercury, along with toxic chemicals, directly contaminates groundwater.
• Industrial hubs such as Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh) and Vapi (Gujarat) have emerged as “death zones” due to dangerously high levels of toxicity.
• These pollutants have been linked to severe kidney failures, neurological disorders, and cancer risks.

2. Agricultural Practices

• Excessive use of nitrogen-rich fertilizers results in nitrate pollution, which causes health issues like methemoglobinemia (blue baby syndrome).
• Phosphate fertilizers are contributing to uranium contamination, especially in regions like Punjab.

3. Domestic Sewage and Pathogen Contamination

• Leakage from septic tanks and sewage lines introduces pathogens into aquifers.
• Faulty sewage treatment plants cause localized outbreaks of cholera, typhoid, and hepatitis.

4. Natural (Geogenic) Contaminants

• o Certain geological formations naturally contain fluoride, arsenic, and uranium.
• o High-risk states include Rajasthan, Bihar, Punjab, and West Bengal.
• o Excessive extraction lowers the water table, increasing concentration levels.

5. Over-extraction and Salinity Intrusion

• Unsustainable pumping of groundwater not only depletes reserves but also draws in saline water in coastal areas, making it unfit for drinking.

Policy and Institutional Challenges

• Weak Legal Framework
  • The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 focuses primarily on surface water, neglecting groundwater-specific pollution controls.
  • Enforcement on groundwater quality is minimal, and loopholes benefit polluters.
• Limited Authority of CGWB

• • CGWB primarily acts as an advisory body and lacks statutory enforcement powers to penalize violators.
• Resource and Capacity Constraints

• • State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) are underfunded, under-staffed, and lack modern testing infrastructure.
• Fragmented Governance

• • Agencies like CGWB, CPCB, SPCBs, and the Ministry of Jal Shakti operate in isolation without integrated coordination.
• Poor Data Transparency

• • Monitoring data is collected infrequently and often not made public in time to act.
• Lack of Community Participation

• • Local panchayats and community water management committees are rarely involved in quality monitoring.

Implications for India

• Public Health Crisis – High exposure to heavy metals, nitrates, arsenic, and pathogens is directly linked to rising cases of chronic kidney disease, cancers, skeletal fluorosis, and waterborne diseases.
• Economic Costs – Health treatment costs, loss of agricultural productivity, and damage to industrial equipment from saline water could run into billions of rupees annually.
• Agricultural Threats – Contaminated water affects crop yields and food safety, posing risks to domestic food supply and exports.

Way Forward

1. Legal Reforms

• Amend the Water Act (1974) to include groundwater-specific provisions with strict penalties.
• Empower CGWB with statutory enforcement authority.

2. Integrated Agency Coordination

• Establish a National Groundwater Quality Council to unify efforts across ministries and boards.

3. Advanced Monitoring Systems

• Deploy real-time sensors in high-risk zones for immediate contamination alerts.

4. Industrial Accountability

• Mandate zero-liquid discharge systems in industries and enforce strict waste treatment protocols.

5. Agricultural Best Practices

• Promote organic farming and controlled fertilizer usage to curb nitrate pollution.

6. Public Awareness & Community Engagement

• Educate rural communities on water testing methods and involve them in local water governance.

7. Investment in Treatment Infrastructure

• Expand and modernize sewage treatment plants and establish decentralized wastewater recycling units.