Context: A Parliamentary Standing Committee has raised serious concerns over groundwater contamination in 4,949 villages across 8 states, highlighting rising levels of heavy metals, fluoride, and nitrates.
About Groundwater Pollution:
What it is?
- Groundwater pollution refers to the contamination of water stored in aquifers, wells, and underground water-bearing layers due to the presence of harmful chemicals, heavy metals, pathogens, and agricultural pollutants.
Key Data / Stats:
- 4,949 villages across Assam, Bihar, Kerala, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tripura, and West Bengal reported chemical contamination.
- Rajasthan has the highest number of affected districts.
- In Punjab, districts such as Fazilka, Ferozepur, Moga, and Patiala are affected by mercury, uranium, selenium, and cadmium.
- Monitoring over the last 5 years shows alarming increases in:
- Electrical Conductivity (EC)
- Fluoride (F)
- Nitrate (NO₃)
- CPCB teams found multiple groundwater samples with pH values beyond acceptable drinking water standards.
Implications:
- Causes fluorosis, kidney damage, neurological disorders, cancer risk, and developmental issues.
- Declining water tables and polluted aquifers reduce access to safe drinking water.
- Contaminated groundwater affects irrigation quality and crop safety.
Relevance in UPSC Exam Syllabus
- GS Paper 3 – Environment & Disaster Management
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- Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation
- Water resource management
- Sustainable development
- GS Paper 2 – Governance
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- Government policies and interventions for vulnerable sections
- Public health and service delivery
