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.in
Website : http://www.cpcb.nic.in
1
 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

2
Water use in India (Year 2000)
Sector Water use in percent
BCM
Irrigation 541 85.33
Domestic 42 6.62
Industry 8 1.26
Energy 2 0.32
Other 41 6.47
Total 634 100.00
3
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
4
Major Water Quality Issues
Common issues of Surface and Ground water
• Pathogenic (Bacteriological) Pollution
• Salinity
• Toxicity (micro-pollutants and other industrial pollutants)

Ground Water
Surface Water • Fluoride
• Eutrophication
• Nitrate
• Oxygen depletion
• Arsenic
• Ecological health
• Iron
• Sea water intrusion5
Major Factors Responsible for WQ Degradation
Domestic: 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
eutrophication
A 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.
 Increase in Urban Population
30 28.5
25
POPULATION, Crores

21.8
20

15 15.6

10.7
10
7.8
6.2
5 3.3 4.4
2.6 2.6 2.8
0
1901 1921 1941 1961 1981 2001
YEAR
7
 Water supply and sewage disposal status in class I cities

35000

29782
30000

25000 23826

20607
20000 1978

16662 1988
15191 1995
15000 2003
12145

10000 8638
7007 6955

5000 4037
27562485
12811850
142 212 299 423 603 1023
0
Number Popn (lakh) Water supply Wastewater Treatment

8
 Water supply and wastewater generation and treatment in class
II towns of India

3500

3035
3000

2428
2500
1978
2000
1936 1988
1650
1533
1622
1995
1500
1226 1280 2003
1000

498
500 345 370
190 241 207 236
128 89
67 27 62
0
Number Popn (lakh) Water supply Wastewater Treatment

9
 Comparision of pollution load generation from
domestic and industrial sources

25000 22900
Industrial
Domestic
20000

15000 13468

9478
10000

4580
5000 3510
1776

0
Wastewater gen (mld) BOD Generation (t/d) BOD Discharge (t/d)

10
 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.

11
Parameters for National Water Quality Monitoring
Core Parameters (9) Field Observations (7)
pH Weather
Temperature Approximate depth of main stream/depth of water table
Conductivity Colour and instensity
Dissolved Oxygen Odor
Biochemical Oxygen Visible efluent discharge
Demand
Nitrate-N Human activities around station
Nitrite-N Station detail
Faecal Coliform
Total Coliform Bio-Monitoring Parameters (3)
Saprobity Index
General Parameters (19) Diversity Index
COD Chloride P/R Ratio
TKN Sulphate
Ammonia Total Alkalinity Trace Metals (9)
Total Dissolved Solids P-Alkalinity Arsenic Nickel Copper Mercury Chromium Total
Total Fixed Solids Phosphate Cadmium Zinc Lead Iron Total
Total Suspended Solids Sodium
Turbidity Potassium
Pesticide (7)
Hardness Calcium
Fluoride Magnesium BHC(Total) Dieldrin Carbamate 2.4 D
Boron DDT(Total) Aldrin Endosulphan 12
 NUMBER OF MONITORING STATIONS

0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
77-78 18
78-79 29
79-80 43
80-81 67
81-82 73
82-83 74
83-84 89
84-85 120
85-86 136
86-87 168
87-88 200
88-89 310
89-90 400
90-91 450
91-92 480
92-93 480
93-94 480
94-95 480
95-96 480
96-97 480
-------------> Y E A R <-----------

97-98 507
98-99 507
99-00 507
00-01 784
YEAR-WISE GROWTH OF MONITORING NETWORK

01-02 784
13

02-03 784
03-04 784
Waterbody-wise & Frequency-wise Distribution of
Water Quality Monitoring Stations
HALF
STATE RIVER WELL LAKE OTHER TOTAL MONTHLY
YEARLY
QUARTERLY 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 ..
14
.. Continued from Previous Page
HALF
STATE RIVER WELL LAKE OTHER TOTAL MONTHLY
YEARLY
QUARTERLY 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

15
RIVER BASIN WISE DISTRIBUTION OF WATER QUALITY MONITORING STATIONS

River (main stream), Tributaries and Sub-Tributaries, Lake, Ponds, Tanks, Canals, Creeks and Total
Groundwater Stations Stations
Baitarni (5) 5
Brahmani (11)
15
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 31
(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), 35
Hemavati (1)
Ganga (28)
Tributaries-Barakar (1), Betwa (3), Chambal (8), Damodar (5), Gandak (1), Saryu-Ghaghra (3), Gomti
118
(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)
20
Tributaries- Manjira (2), Maner (2), Nira (I),), Wainganga (3), Wardha (1)
Indus
Tributaries-Beas (19), Chenab (1), Jhelum (3), Larji (1), Parvati (1), Ravi (3), Sutlej (20), Tawi (1), 53
Gawkadal (1), Chuntkol (1), Sirsa (2)
Krishna (17)
Tributaries- Bhadra (3), Bhima (9), (Ghataprabha (2), Malprabha (3), Muneru (1), Musi (2), Nira (1), 46
Paleru (1), Tunga (1), Tungabhadra (5), Panchganga (1)
Mahi (7)
9
Tributaries-Anas (1), Panam (1)
Mahanadi (16)
29
Tributaries-Ib (4), Hasdeo (2), Kathajodi (1), Kharoon (1), Kuakhai (2), Sheonath (2), Birupa (1)
16
Contd. On Next Page
 Contd. From Pre-Page

Narmada (14)
15
Tributaries-Chhota Tawa (1)
Pennar (4) 4
Sabarmati (8)
11
Tributaries-Meswa (1), Shedhi (1), Khari (1)
Subarnerekha (6) 6
Tapi (10)
12
Tributaries-Girna (2)
Medium rivers
Ambika (1), Ulhas (2), Ulhas-Bhatsa (1), Ulhas-Kalu (1), Imphal (4), Mandovi (2), Palar (1), Pamba (3), Pariyar
105
(3), Rushikulya (2), Tambiraparani (7), Achankoil (2), Chalakudy (1), Damanganga (6), Ghaggar (16), Kallada
(1) , Kali-Karnataka (1), Manimal
Lakes
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
64
Tanks
Dharamsagar (1), Bibinagar (1), Kistrapetrareddy (1), Gandigudem (1), Goysagar(1)
Ponds
Elangabeel System (1), Lakshadweep (1)
Creeks, Canals, Tanks, Ponds, Drains,
26
Creeks (3M), Agartala Canal (1M), Gurgaon Canal (1M), Western Yamuna Canal (9M), Drains (12M)
Groundwater 180
Total 784

17
WATER QUALTIY STATUS & TREND FROM 1994 TO 2003
100

15

15

15
16

16

16

16
17

19

19
90
80

18
17
27

25

23

25
28
27

27

21
70
60 BOD >6
50
BOD 3-6
40
BOD<3

67
64
60

60
59

59
58

57

57

57
30
20
10
0
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003

100

9
14
17

18

20

20

20
22

22
90
23

80

28
70

36
36

37

33

34
32

36

33
37

60 TC>5000
50
TC 500-5000
40
TC<500

63
30 50
47

47
46

46
45

45
44
40

20
10
0
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003

100
7
12
13

13

14

14
17

17
19

20

90
26

80
22

23
27

29

28
28

70
24
35
35

60 FC>5000
50
FC 500-5000
40
FC<500
67

65

63
60

59

58

30
56
55

48
46

20
10
0
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
18
 WATER QUALITY STATUS

Analysis of 10 years data with respect to BOD values as

indicator of organic pollution

S. Level of Pollution Riverine Riverine

No Pollution Criteria length, length
Km. percentage
01. Severely BOD more 6086 14
polluted than 6 mg/l
02. Moderately BOD 3-6 8691 19
polluted mg/l
03. Relatively BOD less 30242 67
clean than 3 mg/l
19
 State-wise riverine length (in Km) under
different level of pollution
Bio Chemical Oxygen Demand, mg/L
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

20
 State-wise riverine length (in Km) under
different level of pollution (contd.)

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
21
 River basin-wise riverine length(in Km.)
under different level of pollution

Bio Chemical Oxy gen Demand, mg/L

S tate >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

22
 River basin-wise riverine length(in Km.)
under different level of pollution (contd..)

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

TO TAL:- 6086 8691 30266 45043

23
 Total riverine length under different water quality status
7000

6000
BOD < 3 mg/L
BOD 3-6 mg/L
BOD >6 mg/L
Riverine length, Km

5000

4000

3000

2000

1000

0
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
24
 River basin-wise riverine length under
different level of pollution
14000

12000 BOD <3 mg/L

BOD 3-6 mg/L
10000 BOD >6 mg/L
Riverine length, Km

8000

6000

4000

2000

0
od i
a
ra

ar

or
i

m
i

ry
a
i

ar
be api
a
s

ad
at

ah

in

ar
ad

kh
Br ang
du

hn

nn

ve

in
iu
ut

gg
m
rm

av
an
M

re

M
m

ed
ap
In

is
ah

au
Pe

ha
ba
G

ah

Kr
rn
ar

M
am

Br

G
Sa

G
N

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River basin 25
 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. 26
 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.

27
 NATIONAL RIVER ACTION PLAN
River No. of Towns River No. of Towns
Ganga 74 Brahmini 3
Yamuna 21 Chambal 3
Damodar 12 Gomti 3
Godavari 6 Krishna 2
Cauvery 9 Sabarmati 1
Tungabhadra 4 Khan 1
Satluj 4 Kshipra 1
Subarnrekha 3 Tapi 1
Betwa 3 Narmada 1`
Wainganga 3 Mahanadi 1
Grand Total 156
28
 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

29
 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
30
 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

31
 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. 32
 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.
33
34