‘Ground Water Pollution’

1. 17th January, 2011 ‘Ground Water Pollution’

2. This presentation is dedicated to people who have been killed in fight over drinking water…

3. Water Resources BCM

4. Groundwater as Water Resource • 55% of agricultural need • 85% of domestic use in rural areas • 50% of Urban and industrial use

5. Water Quality Scenario • Water quality is a major emerging concern throughout the India. • Drinking water sources are threatened from contamination. • Groundwater is emerging as an essential and vital component of our life support system. • There is growing concern on deterioration of ground water quality due to geogenic and anthropogenic activities.

6. Groundwater Quality Scenario Increase in overall salinity of the groundwater, Presence of high concentrations of fluoride, nitrate, iron, arsenic, total hardness and few toxic metal ions, Like surface water pollution, groundwater is also susceptible to contamination from various natural and man-made sources.

7. Groundwater Quality Monitoring CGWB has been assessing ground water quality of the country through twenty two parameters. These parameters include six important ones as follows; I. Electrical Conductivity in Groundwater II. Chloride in Ground Water III. Fluoride in Ground Water IV. Iron in Ground Water V. Arsenic in Ground Water VI. Nitrate in Ground Water

8. Sources of Groundwater Pollution Due to contamination by microbes, chemicals, hazardous substances and other foreign particles. Industries which produce toxic effluent. Agricultural run off. Sewage

9. What is Missing… • Trace Metals • Pesticide

10. Trace Metals

11. Pesticide

12. ‘Sustainable Development of Groundwater’

13. Role of MoWR • As per the “Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules”, the subject ‘Water Quality Assessment’ is allocate to MoWR. • Central Water Commission and Central Ground Water Board under MoWR are premier organisation in the country for dealing with all matters related to surface water and ground water respectively. • National Water Policy indicated planning for water resources development and management duly incorporate quality aspects.

14. Role of MoWR, contd... • As per the “Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules”, the subject ‘Water Quality Assessment’ is allocate to MoWR. • Central Water Commission and Central Ground Water Board under MoWR are premier organisation in the country for dealing with all matters related to surface water and ground water respectively. • National Water Policy indicated planning for water resources development and management duly incorporate quality aspects.

15. SECRETARIATWATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT AUTHORITY (WQAA)(Ministry of Water Resources)

16. Preamble • Water quality monitoring, surveillance and remediation have attained significant global importance in view of environment & health concerns. Also a key component of Millennium Development Goals & enshrined in NWP & NEP. • About 2.17 Lakh rural population affected with water quality problems. • Developmental activities also have contributed significant pollution load in freshwater systems.

17. WQAA • Constituted by MoEF in 2001under the Environment (Protection) Act 1986 • Chaired by Secretary, MoEF • Addl. Secretary(WR), Member(RM), CWC and Chairman, CGWA are among members • Jt. Secretary(A) is Member-Secretary • Secretariat support provided by MoWR (Water Quality Div., Adm.Wing)

18. Functions of WQAA • To issue direction and for taking measures • for investigations and research; • establishment or recognition of environmental laboratories and institutes; • collection and dissemination of information: and • preparation of manuals, codes or guides relating to the prevention, control and abatement of water pollution • Also to issues directions on various other aspects related to water quality assessment and management in the country

19. Institutional Setup

20. Initiative by WQAA • Review of water quality monitoring programmes of concerned central and state agencies for ensuring uniformity in monitoring systems; for generation of reliable and reproducible data; and to draw coordinated action plan for protecting the quality of national water resources by Expert Group under the Chairmanship of Shri Arunoday Bhattacharjya, Retd. Chairman, CPCB, • Study by a Task Force under the Chairmanship of Chairman, CPCB for drawing measures for optimum water quality observation network and coordinated data collection and dissemination system

21. Initiative by WQAA • Constitution of Water Quality Monitoring Committee under the Chairmanship of Addl. Secretary (MoE&F) to assist the WQAA in performing its functions. • Study by a Working Group under the Chairmanship of Member(RM), CWC to formulate methodology for assessment of the minimum flows in the rivers to conserve the eco-system. • Constitution of Standing Groups to deliberate and initiate actions on the functions of WQAA. • Constitution of State Level Water Quality Review Committees to coordinate the activities related to water quality assessment and management at State Level.

22. Achievement of WQAA • Organisation of various workshops and seminars on issues related to water quality assessment and management • "Uniform Protocol on Water Quality Monitoring Order 2005" was issued for observance of uniform protocol on water quality monitoring by all organisations, agencies and any other body monitoring surface and ground water quality. • Guidelines for preparation of Water Quality Management Plan were finalised.

23. Issues in Monitoring • The network of monitoring stations is not dense. • Water quality analysis excludes critical parameters. • There is virtually no agency taking up the matter of pollution by radioactive contaminants. • Lack of Institutions. • Monitoring does not cover “non-point” pollution from agriculture. • Problems with institutional design. • Groundwater contamination most often occurs due to geo-hydro chemical processes activated by pumping.

24. Challenges Ahead • Urgent need of research in this area for developing low cost technology. • Public Private Partnership (PPP) with viability gap funding model. • Civil society/institutions need to be strengthened. • Knowledge and awareness about ill-effects of drinking contaminated/polluted water.

25. Policy Inferences and Governance Issues • The network of monitoring stations is not dense. • Water quality analysis excludes critical parameters. • There is virtually no agency taking up the matter of pollution by radioactive contaminants. • Lack of Institutions. • Monitoring does not cover “non-point” pollution from agriculture. • Problems with institutional design. • Groundwater contamination most often occurs due to geo-hydro chemical processes activated by pumping.

26. Pollution Control Framework • The task of controlling pollution today is not easy. The tremendous amount of types and sources of water pollution, in addition to its complex nature, calls for conducting much study and research into pollution problems. The most effective means of controlling pollution results from cooperation between scientists, legislators, citizens and industry.

27. SCIENTISTS • Identify sources and types of pollution • Determine amount and concentration of pollution • Study the effects of pollution • Recommend safe pollution levels • Study and design pollution control methods • Develop pollution remediation and clean-up plans control programs • Monitor effectiveness of clean-up efforts • Research new treatment technologies

28. Support research/education • Enact laws that limit pollution levels • Levy fines and penalties against polluters • Coordinate state pollution control efforts • Create environmental protection plans • Provide mechanism to monitor pollution LEGISLATORS

29. CITIZENGROUPS • Lobby for beneficial laws • Educate public of pollution dangers • Identify sources of pollution and notify authorities and public • Encourage consumer conservation and recycling • Volunteer to cleanup polluted areas • Participate in citizen volunteer water quality monitoring programs • Provide public information

30. Support education programs, wildlife preserves, etc. • Establish quality control to limit pollution • Develop recycling programs • Find commercial uses for wastes and byproducts • Research and use better production methods • Monitor water quality of discharges • Work with the general public to protect natural resources INDUSTRIES

31. Way forward • Technical & financial support for water quality assessment programmes including, strengthening of water quality monitoring networks & surveillance systems, capacity building, R & D need promoting participatory water quality monitoring systems. • Upgradation & benchmarking of laboratories, development and evaluation of technologies, tools and guidelines for water quality assessment and management. • Managing water quality database / information systems etc and strengthening of mechanism for knowledge sharing amongst various stakeholders in the water quality management system • Technical assistance and investment support for eco-restoration of rivers with a view to ensure minimum flow in rivers.

32. While we watched this presentation and discussed the way forward… Much water flowed down to the sea making it unusable…

33. Let us make water everybody’s concern… …Thank You