2 Water Pollution
India accounts for approximately 4% of the water resources of the world (Kaur et al.
2012) and the estimated utilizable water is about 1123 km
3 (CWC 2010). Out of
which, water from the surface is estimated at 690 km
3, and groundwater has been
assessed to be at 433 km
3 . But agricultural runoff, sewage, and industrial waste
discharge have resulted in deterioration of water quality. In general, groundwater is
less susceptible to contamination than surface water bodies (Chakraborty and
Mukhopadhyay 2014). Groundwater depletion and pollution are due to the geogenic
process which is a naturally happening phenomenon. Declining groundwater quality
can also be attributed to over-exploitation as it results in saline water intrusion in the
coastal areas (Chinchmalatpure et al. 2019). Fluoride and Arsenic are the two
naturally occurring toxic chemicals that contaminate groundwater in India. A high
concentration of fluoride causes fluorosis resulting in weak bones and teeth whereas
arsenic is a carcinogen. In India, about 40 million people are residing in arsenic
contamination zone whereas the presence of fluoride beyond the permissible limit of
1.5 mg/liter in groundwater has been reported in several parts of the nation (CGWB
2018). Karnataka, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu are the three states with the highest
level of fluoride contamination in their drinking water sources whereas Assam has
the most number of districts with the excess presence of arsenic in groundwater
followed by Punjab and Uttar Pradesh (NHP 2019).
The major part of surface water is rivers, wetlands, and creeks. India is endowed
with a network of rivers but they are used as carriers of wastewater. Organic and
bacterial contaminations are the critical pollution factors of rivers which lead to
water-borne diseases. These demands an in-depth study on state-wise polluted river
stretches (Fig. 19.1) which were mapped with the support of Geographic Information
System (GIS). The states are classified into 5 categories viz., states with (i) <10
(ii) 11–20 (iii) 21–30 (iv) 31–40 and (v) >40 polluted rivers. It reveals that Maharashtra and Assam have more than 40 polluted rivers followed by Kerala and
Madhya Pradesh which has been slotted under [21–30] category. Domestic sewage,
garbage dumping, idol immersion during the festival are the major causes of water
contamination in Maharashtra (Gangotri and Khobragade 2017). In the case of
Assam, the generation of waste from industries and municipal bodies has polluted
the river water quality (Girija et al. 2007). High pH values are related to acidic
behavior in various locations of Kerala due to the discharge of industrial waste into
the river (Muruga Lal Jeyan and Akhila 2017). Uncontrollable use of insecticides,
pesticides in cement factories, lime kilns process results in water pollution in
Madhya Pradesh (Mishra 2017). The states having many polluted rivers in the
range [11–20] are Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.
It is heartening to note that 22 States/UTs have less than 10 polluted river stretches.
Dumping of solid and hazardous waste in wetlands has severely polluted them
leading to severe health impacts (NEP 2006). Overall, rivers and other surface
water sources are facing serious threat due to letting loose of untreated effluents.
19 Health Impacts of Contaminated Water in India: Coping Strategies for. . .
393
India accounts for approximately 4% of the water resources of the world (Kaur et al.
2012) and the estimated utilizable water is about 1123 km
3 (CWC 2010). Out of
which, water from the surface is estimated at 690 km
3, and groundwater has been
assessed to be at 433 km
3 . But agricultural runoff, sewage, and industrial waste
discharge have resulted in deterioration of water quality. In general, groundwater is
less susceptible to contamination than surface water bodies (Chakraborty and
Mukhopadhyay 2014). Groundwater depletion and pollution are due to the geogenic
process which is a naturally happening phenomenon. Declining groundwater quality
can also be attributed to over-exploitation as it results in saline water intrusion in the
coastal areas (Chinchmalatpure et al. 2019). Fluoride and Arsenic are the two
naturally occurring toxic chemicals that contaminate groundwater in India. A high
concentration of fluoride causes fluorosis resulting in weak bones and teeth whereas
arsenic is a carcinogen. In India, about 40 million people are residing in arsenic
contamination zone whereas the presence of fluoride beyond the permissible limit of
1.5 mg/liter in groundwater has been reported in several parts of the nation (CGWB
2018). Karnataka, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu are the three states with the highest
level of fluoride contamination in their drinking water sources whereas Assam has
the most number of districts with the excess presence of arsenic in groundwater
followed by Punjab and Uttar Pradesh (NHP 2019).
The major part of surface water is rivers, wetlands, and creeks. India is endowed
with a network of rivers but they are used as carriers of wastewater. Organic and
bacterial contaminations are the critical pollution factors of rivers which lead to
water-borne diseases. These demands an in-depth study on state-wise polluted river
stretches (Fig. 19.1) which were mapped with the support of Geographic Information
System (GIS). The states are classified into 5 categories viz., states with (i) <10
(ii) 11–20 (iii) 21–30 (iv) 31–40 and (v) >40 polluted rivers. It reveals that Maharashtra and Assam have more than 40 polluted rivers followed by Kerala and
Madhya Pradesh which has been slotted under [21–30] category. Domestic sewage,
garbage dumping, idol immersion during the festival are the major causes of water
contamination in Maharashtra (Gangotri and Khobragade 2017). In the case of
Assam, the generation of waste from industries and municipal bodies has polluted
the river water quality (Girija et al. 2007). High pH values are related to acidic
behavior in various locations of Kerala due to the discharge of industrial waste into
the river (Muruga Lal Jeyan and Akhila 2017). Uncontrollable use of insecticides,
pesticides in cement factories, lime kilns process results in water pollution in
Madhya Pradesh (Mishra 2017). The states having many polluted rivers in the
range [11–20] are Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.
It is heartening to note that 22 States/UTs have less than 10 polluted river stretches.
Dumping of solid and hazardous waste in wetlands has severely polluted them
leading to severe health impacts (NEP 2006). Overall, rivers and other surface
water sources are facing serious threat due to letting loose of untreated effluents.
19 Health Impacts of Contaminated Water in India: Coping Strategies for. . .
393