Background
- NGT had taken suo motu cognizance of the matter based on the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) report.
- As per CGWB report, Arsenic was reported in 230 districts (in 25 states) and fluoride was reported in 469 districts (in 27 states).
Impacts of these Contaminations
- Fluoride: dental fluorosis, skeletal fluorosis and non-skeletal fluorosis, induces ageing.
- Arsenic: skin de-pigmentation, bronchitis, and skin, lung, bladder, and liver cancer.
- Other adverse health effects include dermatological, neurological, respiratory, cardiovascular, immunological, and endocrine impacts.
Permissible limits: The Bureau of Indian Standards has mandated the maximum permissible limit:-
- For Arsenic 0.01 mg/L and for fluoride 1.0 mg/L.
Reasons for
- Arsenic contamination: weathering of minerals followed by subsequent leaching and runoff, anthropogenic activities such as mining, over-exploitation of groundwater, etc.
- Fluoride Contamination: breakdown of rocks and soils and deposition of atmospheric particles.
Initiatives for Quality Water in India
- Jal Jeevan Mission (potable tap water supply to every rural household).
- CGWB generates data on groundwater and monitors its quality.
- The Ministry of Jal Shakti has issued guidelines for the control and regulation of groundwater extraction.