India's Groundwater Pollution: A Silent Public Health Crisis
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Environment & Ecology (Water Pollution, Pollutants - Fluoride, Arsenic, Nitrates, Uranium, Heavy Metals), Geography (Water Resources, Groundwater in India), Science & Technology (Diseases related to pollution), Indian Polity & Governance (Environmental Acts like Water Act, 1974; Bodies like CGWB, CPCB).
Mains:
GS Paper 1: Geographical features and their location, changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies).
GS Paper 2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors; Issues relating to the development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health.
GS Paper 3: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment; Disaster and disaster management.
Key Highlights from the News
Excessive Dependence: 85% of rural drinking water needs and 65% of irrigation in India are based on groundwater.
Widespread Contamination: Groundwater, once considered the purest natural water source, is now contaminated with Nitrates, Fluoride, Arsenic, Uranium, other Heavy Metals, and pathogenic microorganisms.
CGWB Report 2024: According to the new report by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), groundwater in many districts across the country is dangerously contaminated.
Major Health Problems:
Fluoride: Causes skeletal fluorosis, affecting bones and teeth.
Arsenic: Causes skin diseases, gangrene, and cancer.
Nitrates: Causes "blue baby syndrome" (methemoglobinemia), a fatal condition in children.
Heavy Metals: Affects the nervous system and children's growth.
Main Reasons:
Over-extraction: Excessive groundwater exploitation increases contamination.
Chemical fertilizers: Overuse of chemical fertilizers increases the levels of nitrates and uranium.
Industrial discharges: Uncontrolled discharge of chemical waste from industries.
Septic systems: Lack of facilities for treating sewage.
Administrative Failures:
Flaws in laws (Water Act, 1974 does not adequately address groundwater).
Lack of coordination among institutions (institutional fragmentation).
Lapses in law enforcement and lack of data.
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