New Delhi, Apr 12 (PTI) Even as arsenic- and fluoride-affected habitations have declined sharply over the past five years, a parliamentary panel has flagged significant gaps in the nationwide assessment of groundwater quality, pointing to incomplete data and absence of similar assessment by several states and UTs.
In its 41st report on “Ground Water Management and Regulation”, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), based on audit findings and ministry submissions, noted that arsenic-affected habitations reduced from 14,020 in August 2019 to 314 in November 2024, while fluoride-hit habitations declined from 7,996 to 255 during the same period.
However, the panel underscored that the threats due to contamination of groundwater could not be ascertained comprehensively across the country.
Citing audit data based on testing at 15,165 locations across 32 states by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) in 2015, it pointed out that contaminants exceeded permissible limits at multiple locations - arsenic (697), fluoride (637), nitrate (2,015), iron (1,389) and salinity (587).
The committee observed that in the absence of similar assessments by several states and union territories, “the threats due to contamination of groundwater could not be ascertained comprehensively across the country”, highlighting a critical data gap in groundwater quality mapping.
It further noted that CGWB studies indicate the presence of contaminants such as arsenic, fluoride, nitrate, iron and heavy metals beyond permissible limits for human consumption in isolated pockets across states and UTs, with fluorosis cases reported to be significant in Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh.
On remedial measures, the panel took note of ongoing interventions, including the National Water Quality Sub-Mission — now subsumed under the Jal Jeevan Mission – aimed at providing safe drinking water to 27,544 arsenic- and fluoride-affected rural habitations, and the AMRUT 2.0 scheme focusing on urban water security.
The PAC also highlighted progress under the National Aquifer Mapping and Management Programme (NAQUIM), under which 513 exploratory wells tapping arsenic-safe aquifers have been constructed — 40 in Bihar, 188 in West Bengal and 285 in Uttar Pradesh — using an innovative cement sealing technique.
At the same time, it recommended that “all-out efforts” be made to enhance the number of such wells and called for a study to ascertain the efficacy of the cement sealing technology in ensuring safe water availability in affected areas.
The committee stressed the need for all states and UTs to undertake groundwater quality assessment so that contamination threats are identified across the country, and said such efforts should be strengthened under programmes like the Jal Jeevan Mission and AMRUT 2.0.
In its response, the Jal Shakti Ministry said arsenic contamination is being monitored regularly in a coordinated manner and that arsenic-safe deeper aquifer zones have been identified, with construction of wells using the cement sealing technique shared with states.
It added that a study on the efficacy of the technology is being instituted, alongside a new standard operating procedure for groundwater quality monitoring with higher sampling frequency in hotspot and vulnerable areas.
Groundwater quality yearbooks are also being brought out from 2023 onwards, with efforts underway for geo-tagging drinking water sources and periodic testing.
However, the audit noted that the outcomes of these remedial measures and initiatives are yet to be furnished to the PAC.
In its final reply, the ministry said outcome monitoring and remedial action are to be undertaken by state governments, while highlighting that more than 12 crore rural households have been provided tap water connections under the Jal Jeevan Mission.
It also said more than 2,160 laboratories have been set up for testing water samples and around 25 lakh women have been trained to test water quality using field test kits.
“As a result of cumulative efforts, the number of arsenic and fluoride affected habitations in the country have declined significantly,” the ministry said, adding that the remaining habitations have been provided clean and safe drinking water through community water purifier plants (CWPPs).
The panel’s report was presented in the Lok Sabha on April 1 and laid in the Rajya Sabha the same day. PTI ADI MNK MNK
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