Why in News?

The 2024 Annual Groundwater Quality Report by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) reveals widespread groundwater contamination across India. With over 600 million people relying on groundwater daily, the crisis poses severe public health risks alongside environmental damage.

Key Terms / Concepts

Term	Explanation
CGWB (Central Ground Water Board)	Scientific body under the Ministry of Jal Shakti that explores, monitors, and assesses groundwater resources.
CGWA (Central Ground Water Authority)	Regulates and controls groundwater under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board)	Enforces pollution control laws and maintains water quality.
Geogenic Contamination	Natural contamination from geological formations, such as fluoride or arsenic in groundwater.
Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD)	Industrial process where all wastewater is treated and reused, preventing discharge into the environment.
Atal Bhujal Yojana (ATAL JAL)	Government program promoting community-led groundwater management.

Key Points

Aspect	Details
Major Causes	Industrial discharge of heavy metals, overuse of fertilizers, poor sanitation, geogenic contamination (fluoride, arsenic, uranium), excessive pumping, weak regulations, poor monitoring.
Industrial Hotspots	Kanpur (UP) and Vapi (Gujarat) with high toxicity; linked to kidney failures and severe health impacts.
Agricultural Link	Excess fertilizers cause nitrate and uranium contamination; over-extraction leads to salinity intrusion in coastal areas.
Regulatory Weakness	Water Act 1974 overlooks groundwater pollution; CGWB lacks statutory powers; fragmented efforts by CGWB, CPCB, SPCBs, and Ministry of Jal Shakti.
Monitoring Gaps	Infrequent data collection, limited public access, poor community involvement in quality checks.

Impacts of Contaminated Groundwater

Sector	Impact
Health	Fluoride (skeletal fluorosis), arsenic (cancer, skin lesions), nitrate (blue baby syndrome), uranium (organ damage), heavy metals (neurological issues), pathogens (cholera, dysentery).
Agriculture	Reduced yields, food chain contamination, salinity intrusion damaging crops.
Ecosystem	Wildlife habitat loss, biodiversity decline, ecosystem imbalance.

Reforms Needed

Area	Recommended Actions
National Framework	Create NGPCF to define roles and give CGWB regulatory powers.
Monitoring & Data	Use real-time sensors, remote sensing, and open data platforms; integrate with health surveillance systems.
Targeted Remediation	Expand arsenic/fluoride removal plants under Jal Jeevan Mission; increase safe piped water access.
Industrial Regulation	Enforce ZLD; regulate landfills; penalize illegal discharges.
Agriculture Practices	Promote organic farming (PKVY); reduce chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
Community Governance	Empower panchayats, water user groups, and schools; expand Atal Bhujal Yojana for community-led water management.

In a nutshell

Mnemonic: W-A-T-E-R
W – Widen CGWB powers for strict enforcement
A – Apply real-time monitoring and open data
T – Treat and remediate contaminated sources
E – Enforce ZLD and strict industrial compliance
R – Reform agriculture and promote community role

Prelims Practice Questions

1. Which body regulates groundwater in India under the Environment Protection Act, 1986?
   a) CGWB
   b) CGWA
   c) CPCB
   d) CWC
2. Geogenic contamination in groundwater refers to:
   a) Contamination from industrial effluents
   b) Contamination caused by sewage leakage
   c) Contamination from natural geological sources
   d) Contamination from fertilizer overuse
3. The Atal Bhujal Yojana primarily focuses on:
   a) Rainwater harvesting for industries
   b) Community-led groundwater management
   c) Large-scale river interlinking projects
   d) Urban wastewater recycling

Mains Practice Questions

1. Analyse the causes and impacts of groundwater contamination in India and suggest a multi-pronged strategy for its mitigation. 10 Marks (GS3 – Environment)
2. Discuss the role of community participation in ensuring sustainable groundwater quality management in India. 10 Marks

Answers for Prelims Questions

Q.No	Answer	Explanation
1	b	CGWA regulates and controls groundwater under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
2	c	Geogenic contamination originates from natural geological formations.
3	b	Atal Bhujal Yojana promotes community-led sustainable groundwater management.