1

WATER QUALITY ISSUES

IN INDIA

Dr. R.C. Trivedi

Central Pollution Control Board(Ministry of Environment & Forests)‘Parivesh Bhavan’, East Arjun Nagar

Delhi – 110 032

E-mail : rct@cpcb.delhi.nic.inWebsite : http://www.cpcb.nic.in

2

Water is Precious and scarce Resource

• Only a small fraction (about 3%) is fresh water• India is wettest country in the world, but rainfall is

highly uneven with time and space (with extremely low in Rajasthan and high in North-East)

• On an avergae there are only 40 rainy days• Out of 4000 BCM rainfall received, about 600

BCM is put to use so far• Water resources are over-exploited resulting in

major WQ problems

3

Water use in India (Year 2000)

100.00634Total

6.4741Other

0.322Energy

1.268Industry

6.6242Domestic

85.33541Irrigation

percentWater use in BCM

Sector

4

Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974

• Preamble: Maintaining and restoring of wholesomeness of water – level of WQ

• Provision for consent• Every polluter (industry or municipality) has to

obtain consent from SPCBs/PCCs• Consent is conditional• Standards prescribed for effluents• Monitoring the compliance

5

Major Water Quality Issues

Common issues of Surface and Ground water• Pathogenic (Bacteriological) Pollution• Salinity• Toxicity (micro-pollutants and other industrial pollutants)

Surface Water• Eutrophication• Oxygen depletion• Ecological health

Ground Water• Fluoride• Nitrate• Arsenic• Iron• Sea water intrusion

Major Factors Responsible for WQ DegradationDomestic: 423 class I cities and 499 class II towns harboring population of 20 Crore generate about 26254 mld of wastewater of which only 6955 mld is treated.Industrial: About 57,000 polluting industries in India generate about 13,468 mld of wastewater out of which nearly 60% (generated from large & medium industries) is treated. Non-point sources also contribute significant pollution loads mainly in rainy season. Pesticides consumption is about 1,00,000 tonnes/year of which AP, Haryana, Punjab, TN, WB, Gujarat, UP and Maharashtra are principal consumers.Domestic sewage is the major source of pollution in India in surface water which contribute pathogens, the main source of water borne diseases along with depletion of oxygen in water bodies.Sewage alongwith agricultural run-off and industrial effluents also contributes large amount of nutrients in surface water causing eutrophicationA large part of the domestic sewage is not even collected. This results in stagnation of sewage within city, a good breeding ground for mosquitoes and contaminate the groundwater, the only source of drinking water in many cities.

7

Increase in Urban Population

2.6 2.6 2.8 3.3 4.46.2

7.810.7

15.6

21.8

28.5

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

PO

PU

LA

TIO

N, C

rore

s

1901 1921 1941 1961 1981 2001

Y E A R

8

Water supply and sewage disposal status in class I cities

142 603

8638

7007

2756

2121023

15191

12145

2485

2991281

20607

16662

4037

4231850

29782

23826

6955

0

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

30000

35000

Number Popn (lakh) Water supply Wastewater Treatment

1978

1988

1995

2003

9

Water supply and wastewater generation and treatment in class II towns of India

190 128

1533

1226

67

241 207

1622

1280

27

345236

1936

1650

62

498370

3035

2428

89

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

Number Popn (lakh) Water supply Wastewater Treatment

1978

1988

1995

2003

10

Comparision of pollution load generation from domestic and industrial sources

13468

9478

1776

22900

45803510

0

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

Wastewater gen (mld) BOD Generation (t/d) BOD Discharge (t/d)

IndustrialDomestic

11

NATIONAL WATER QUALITY MONITORING

PROGRAMME

• Network Comprising of 784 stations.

• Extended to 26 states & 5 Union Territories

• Monitoring done or Quarterly/Monthly/Half Yearly.

• Covers 168 Rivers, 53 Lakes, 5 Tanks, 2 Ponds, 3

Creeks, 3 Canals, 12 Drains and 181 wells.

12

pH

Temperature

Conductivity

Dissolved Oxygen

Biochemical Oxygen DemandNitrate-N

Nitrite-N

Faecal Coliform

Total Coliform

COD Chloride

TKN Sulphate

Ammonia Total Alkalinity

Total Dissolved Solids P-Alkalinity

Total Fixed Solids Phosphate

Total Suspended Solids Sodium

Turbidity Potassium

Hardness Calcium

Fluoride Magnesium

Boron

Weather

Approximate depth of main stream/depth of water table

Colour and instensity

Odor

Visible efluent discharge

Human activities around station

Station detail

Saprobity Index

Diversity Index

P/R Ratio

Arsenic Nickel Copper Mercury Chromium Total

Cadmium Zinc Lead Iron Total

BHC(Total) Dieldrin Carbamate 2.4 D

DDT(Total) Aldrin Endosulphan

Parameters for National Water Quality Monitoring

Core Parameters (9)

General Parameters (19)

Field Observations (7)

Bio-Monitoring Parameters (3)

Trace Metals (9)

Pesticide (7)

13

YEAR-WISE GROWTH OF MONITORING NETWORK1

8 29 43 67 73

74 89 1

20

13

6 16

8 20

0

31

0

40

0 45

0 48

0

48

0

48

0

48

0

48

0

48

0

50

7

50

7

50

7

78

4

78

4

78

4

78

4

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

77

-78

78

-79

79

-80

80

-81

81

-82

82

-83

83

-84

84

-85

85

-86

86

-87

87

-88

88

-89

89

-90

90

-91

91

-92

92

-93

93

-94

94

-95

95

-96

96

-97

97

-98

98

-99

99

-00

00

-01

01

-02

02

-03

03

-04

-------------> Y E A R <-----------

NU

MB

ER

OF

MO

NIT

OR

ING

ST

AT

ION

S

14

Waterbody-wise & Frequency-wise Distribution of Water Quality Monitoring Stations

STATE RIVER WELL LAKE OTHER TOTAL MONTHLYHALF

YEARLYQUARTERLY YEARLY TOTAL

ANDHRA PRADESH 28 24 4 3 59 14 24 21 - 59

ASSAM 17 10 - 2 29 6 10 13 - 29

BIHAR 7 - - - 7 7 - - - 7

CHHATISSGARH 11 4 - - 15 7 4 4 - 15

DADRA & NAGAR HAVELI - 1 - - 1 - - 1 - 1

DAMAN (ZOV) 3 1 - - 4 3 1 - - 4

DELHI 4 - - 8 12 11 - 1 - 12

GOA 10 - 1 - 11 10 - 1 - 11

GUJARAT 34 3 4 - 41 23 3 15 - 41

HARYANA 5 - 2 11 18 5 - 13 - 18

HIMACHAL PRADESH 26 8 3 - 37 - 8 29 - 37

JAMMU & KASHMIR 7 - 2 - 9 - - 9 - 9

JHARKHAND 8 - - - 8 - - 8 - 8

KARNATAKA 34 - 2 - 36 20 - 16 - 36

KERALA 30 15 10 - 55 10 15 30 - 55

LAKSHDWEEP - 15 - 1 16 - 15 1 - 16

Continued on Next Page ..

15

.. Continued from Previous Page

STATE RIVER WELL LAKE OTHER TOTAL MONTHLYHALF

YEARLYQUARTERLY YEARLY TOTAL

MADHYA PRADESH 40 5 3 - 48 22 4 22 - 48

MAHARASHTRA 35 - - 3 38 24 - 14 - 38

MANIPUR 8 - 4 - 12 - - 12 - 12

MEGHALAYA 5 5 3 - 13 - 5 8 - 13

NAGALAND 5 - - - 5 - - 5 - 5

ORISSA 39 15 - - 54 15 15 24 - 54

PONDICHERRY 1 7 2 - 10 - 7 3 - 10

PUNJAB 35 - 2 - 37 - - 37 - 37

RAJASTHAN 7 18 7 - 32 4 18 10 - 32

SIKKIM 9 - - - 9 - - 9 - 9

TAMIL NADU 27 2 3 - 32 20 2 10 - 32

TRIPURA 3 7 2 1 13 - 6 7 - 13

UTTAR PRADESH 45 25 1 3 74 42 25 7 - 74

UTTRANCHAL 13 1 1 - 15 2 1 9 3 15

WEST BENGAL 18 15 1 - 34 9 15 10 - 34

TOTAL : - 514 181 57 32 784 254 178 349 3 784

16

River (main stream), Tributaries and Sub-Tributaries, Lake, Ponds, Tanks, Canals, Creeks and Groundwater Stations

Total Stations

Baitarni (5) 5Brahmani (11)Tributaries-Karo (1), Koel (2), Sankh (1) Brahmaputra (6)Tributaries-Burhidihing (1), Dhansiri (6), Disang (1), Jhanji (1), Subansiri (1), Bhogdoi (1), Bharalu (1), Borak (1), Deepar Bill (1), Digboi (1), Mora Bharali (1), Teesta (4), Dickhu (1), Maney (2), Ranchu (2)Cauvery (20)Tributaries-Arkavati (1), Amravati (1), Bhawani (5), Kabini (4), Laxmantirtha (1), Shimsa (2), Hemavati (1)Ganga (28)Tributaries-Barakar (1), Betwa (3), Chambal (8), Damodar (5), Gandak (1), Saryu-Ghaghra (3), Gomti (5), Hindon (3), Kali (West) (2), Kali Nadi (2), Khan (1), Kshipra (3), Mandakini (Madhya Pradesh) (1), Parvati (2), Ramganga (1), Rapti (1), Rihand (2), Godavari (11)Tributaries- Manjira (2), Maner (2), Nira (I),), Wainganga (3), Wardha (1) IndusTributaries-Beas (19), Chenab (1), Jhelum (3), Larji (1), Parvati (1), Ravi (3), Sutlej (20), Tawi (1), Gawkadal (1), Chuntkol (1), Sirsa (2) Krishna (17)Tributaries- Bhadra (3), Bhima (9), (Ghataprabha (2), Malprabha (3), Muneru (1), Musi (2), Nira (1), Paleru (1), Tunga (1), Tungabhadra (5), Panchganga (1)Mahi (7) Tributaries-Anas (1), Panam (1) Mahanadi (16)Tributaries-Ib (4), Hasdeo (2), Kathajodi (1), Kharoon (1), Kuakhai (2), Sheonath (2), Birupa (1)

29

20

53

46

9

15

31

35

118

RIVER BASIN WISE DISTRIBUTION OF WATER QUALITY MONITORING STATIONS

Contd. On Next Page

17

Narmada (14) Tributaries-Chhota Tawa (1)Pennar (4) 4Sabarmati (8)Tributaries-Meswa (1), Shedhi (1), Khari (1)Subarnerekha (6) 6Tapi (10)Tributaries-Girna (2)Medium riversAmbika (1), Ulhas (2), Ulhas-Bhatsa (1), Ulhas-Kalu (1), Imphal (4), Mandovi (2), Palar (1), Pamba (3), Pariyar (3), Rushikulya (2), Tambiraparani (7), Achankoil (2), Chalakudy (1), Damanganga (6), Ghaggar (16), Kallada (1) , Kali-Karnataka (1), ManimalLakes Hussainsagar (1), Saroornagar (1), Himayatsagar (1), Pulicate (1), Salaulim (1), Kankoria (1), Chandola (1), Ajwah (1), Sursagar (1), Brahamsarovar (1), Sukhna (1), Govindsagar (1), Pongdam (1), Renuka (1), Wuller (1), Dal (1), Ulsoor (1), Hebbala Valley Tanks Dharamsagar (1), Bibinagar (1), Kistrapetrareddy (1), Gandigudem (1), Goysagar(1)PondsElangabeel System (1), Lakshadweep (1)Creeks, Canals, Tanks, Ponds, Drains, Creeks (3M), Agartala Canal (1M), Gurgaon Canal (1M), Western Yamuna Canal (9M), Drains (12M)Groundwater 180Total 784

105

64

26

15

11

12

Contd. From

Pre-Page

1858

2715

5727

16

5925

16

6023

17

5728

15

5727

16

5925

16

6021

19

6417

19

6718

15

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003

BOD >6

BOD 3-6

BOD<3

4037

23

4632

22

4736

17

4537

18

5036

14

6328

9

4733

20

4634

20

4436

20

4533

22

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003

TC>5000

TC 500-5000

TC<500

4635

19

5528

17

6027

13

5929

12

6726

7

4835

17

5624

20

6522

13

6323

14

5828

14

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003

FC>5000

FC 500-5000

FC<500

WATER QUALTIY STATUS & TREND FROM 1994 TO 2003

19

6730242BOD less than 3 mg/l

Relatively clean

03.

198691BOD 3-6 mg/l

Moderately polluted

02.

146086BOD more than 6 mg/l

Severely polluted

01.

Riverine length percentage

Riverine length, Km.

Pollution Criteria

Level of Pollution

S.No

WATER QUALITY STATUS

Analysis of 10 years data with respect to BOD values as indicator of organic pollution

20

State >6 3-6 <3 Total

Jammu & Kashmir 0 0 2291 2291

Himachal Pradesh 19 0 1076 1095

Punjab 70 132 870 1072

Haryana 95 87 167 349

Uttar Pradesh 1180 1966 2473 5619

Rajasthan 76 160 606 842

Madhya Pradesh 365 1157 4569 6091

Bihar 63 126 2337 2526

West Bengal 69 221 874 1164

Orissa 247 1507 473 2227

Andhra Pradesh 361 803 2854 4018

Maharashtra 2721 1706 187 4614

Gujarat 265 185 706 1156

Bio Chemical Oxygen Demand, mg/L

State-wise riverine length (in Km) under different level of pollution

21

Karnataka 258 143 2467 2868

Kerala 0 15 1395 1410

Tamil Nadu 269 470 1290 2029

Assam 0 0 2043 2043

Meghalaya 0 0 557 557

Manipur 0 0 759 759

Arunachal Pradesh 0 0 707 707

Sikkim 0 0 754 754

Nagaland 0 0 503 503

Mizoram 0 0 235 235

Goa 0 13 53 66

Delhi 28 0 20 48

T O T A L :- 6086 8691 30266 45043

State-wise riverine length (in Km) under different level of pollution (contd.)

22

State >6 3-6 <3 Total

Indus 70 132 3917 4119

Ganga 1760 3612 7318 12690

Bramaputra 0 0 5013 5013

Sabarmati 65 95 165 325

Mahi 70 160 292 522

Narmada 120 360 902 1382

Tapi 160 280 537 977

Subernrekha 90 120 79 289

Brahmini 45 160 380 585

Mahanadi 210 370 1393 1973

Godavari 960 856 2676 4492

Bio Chemical Oxygen Demand, mg/L

River basin-wise riverine length(in Km.)under different level of pollution

23

Subernrekha 90 120 79 289

Brahmini 45 160 380 585

Mahanadi 210 370 1393 1973

Godavari 960 856 2676 4492

Krishna 840 956 1988 3784

Pennar 0 80 440 520

Cauvery 70 320 928 1318

Ghaggar 140 148 70 358

Medium 1090 734 3210 5034

Minor 396 308 958 1662

T O T A L : - 6086 8691 30266 45043

River basin-wise riverine length(in Km.)under different level of pollution (contd..)

24

Total riverine length under different water quality status

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

JK HP PB HR UP RJ MP BH WB OR AP MH GU KA KE TN AS MG MN AR SK NG MZ GO DL

States

Riv

erin

e le

ng

th,

Km

BOD < 3 mg/LBOD 3-6 mg/LBOD >6 mg/L

25

River basin-wise riverine length under different level of pollution

0

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

14000

Indu

s

Gan

ga

Bramap

utra

Sabar

mati

Mah

i

Narm

ada

Tapi

Suber

nrek

ha

Brahm

ini

Mah

anad

i

God

avar

i

Krishn

a

Penna

r

Cauve

ry

Gha

ggar

Med

ium

Mino

r

River basin

Riv

eri

ne

len

gth

, Km

BOD <3 mg/L

BOD 3-6 mg/L

BOD >6 mg/L

26

Identification of Polluted Water Bodies

• CPCB identified 10 polluted stretches for prioritising pollution control efforts in 1988-89.

• The Number of Stretches increased to 37 during 1992-93.

• The list is now revised to include 86 stretches.

• The concerned State Pollution Control Boards were asked to take adequate measures to restore the desired level.

27

RIVER ACTION PLAN

• CPCB identified polluted water bodies, which leads to formulation of action plan for restoration of the water body.

• Based on CPCB’s Recommendations, Ganga Action Plan was launched in 1986 to restore the WQ of the Ganga by interception, diversion and treatment of wastewater from 27 cities/towns located along the river.

• Based on the experience gained during implementation of the Ganga Action Plan, Govt of India extends river cleaning programme to other rivers and lakes.

28

NATIONAL RIVER ACTION PLAN

Grand Total 156

1Mahanadi3Wainganga

1`Narmada3Betwa

1Tapi3Subarnrekha

1Kshipra4Satluj

1Khan4Tungabhadra

1Sabarmati9Cauvery

2Krishna6Godavari

3Gomti12Damodar

3Chambal21Yamuna

3Brahmini74Ganga

No. of TownsRiverNo. of TownsRiver

29

WATER POLLUTION CONTROL STRATEGY

• Urban sources – National River Action Plan

• Industrial Sources – through consent ( SPCB)

• Special Drives: 17 categories of industries

• Industries discharging into rivers and lakes

• 24 Problem areas action plan

• Environmental auditing

• Common effluent treatment plants for cluster of SSI units (124)

• Promotion of low-waste and no-waste technology

30

Experience from Ganga Action Plan

• Sewage collection system partial or non-existence

• Interception and diversion of drains - monsoon runoff

• Operation and maintenance of STPs

• Power supply

• Skilled manpower

31

Experience from industries

• High organic load - distilleries

• High TDS - pharmaceuticals, pesticides,

rayon, dye and dye intermediates

• Small scale industries - location (residential

areas), inadequate resources, skill etc.

• Problem with CETPs

32

ASSESSMENT OF GROUND WATER QUALITY IN METRO

CITIES

• The groundwater is the main source of drinking in our country.

• The groundwater quality is being degraded gradually in large urban centers/critically polluted areas.

• Although Ministry of Water Resources is monitoring groundwater quality all over the country. The monitoring does not include main water quality issues ( heavy metals, pesticides, coliform, BOD, COD etc.

• Thus, it is important to monitor the groundwater quality in the country.

• In the current financial year CPCB included in its monitoring network a large number of groundwater stations (200 stations).

• Apart from this CPCB is taking help of some research institutes to study the groundwater quality.

33

CONCLUSION

• In order to meet water quality criteria in rivers, dilution water is required besides stringent pollution control.

• Interlinking of rivers is one of the solution to meet water quality criteria in rivers as more dilution of water would be available in rivers.

34