contaminant found in water, some of which—such as Uranium—are not even
included in the BIS list.
As per the Jal Shakti Ministry’s Web site, the National Rural Drinking Water
Program defines drinking water to be contaminated; if the water is biologically
contaminated, it contains chemical contamination exceeding permissible limits. The
list of water quality parameters they adopt includes pH, arsenic, fluoride, total
dissolved solids, E coli, nitrates, calcium, iron, magnesium, sulfate, alkalinity and
turbidity. These standards are also not mandatory.
26 More importantly, the list does
not include all contaminants found in water sources, even those listed in the
IS10500 guidelines.
9 Uranium in Groundwater in Telangana
In October 2019, the Atomic Minerals Directorate (AMD) found dangerous levels
of uranium concentration in the groundwater samples tested in the Lambapur–
Peddagattu region of Nalgonda district in Telangana, known for its uranium
deposits. These findings came at a time when concerns are already being raised
around high levels of uranium in Tummalapalle, Kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh,
where uranium is being mined.
The department tested the samples collected from 25 private tube wells/hand
pumps, from November, 2018 to July, 2019, around Lambapur–Peddagattu region
in Nalgonda district, as part of the environmental baseline data collection. It was
found that uranium values in the sample locations vary from 1 to 2618 parts per
billion (ppb).
27
Uranium contamination in Punjab has been reported since the early 1990s, with
little information on where it has come from. Uranium is also found in Rajasthan
and Gujarat. Consumption of uranium causes kidney problems. While levels less
than 60 ppb are the prescribed safety limit by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board
(AERB) Uranium, the element is not monitored under the Bureau of Indian
Standard’s drinking water specifications.
10 Jal Jeevan Mission Guidelines and Water Quality
In March 2017, the Government of India launched the National Water Quality
Sub-Mission (NWQSM) under the National Rural Drinking Water Program to
provide safe drinking water in identified quality-affected rural habitations by March
26
https://nrdwp.gov.in/content/nwqsm. Last accessed on April 05, 2020.
27
https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/telangana/2020/feb/07/uranium-levels-in-groundwaterfound-to-be-high-in-telanganas-nalgonda-2100222.html. Last accessed on April 05, 2020.
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I. Khurana and R. Sen
included in the BIS list.
As per the Jal Shakti Ministry’s Web site, the National Rural Drinking Water
Program defines drinking water to be contaminated; if the water is biologically
contaminated, it contains chemical contamination exceeding permissible limits. The
list of water quality parameters they adopt includes pH, arsenic, fluoride, total
dissolved solids, E coli, nitrates, calcium, iron, magnesium, sulfate, alkalinity and
turbidity. These standards are also not mandatory.
26 More importantly, the list does
not include all contaminants found in water sources, even those listed in the
IS10500 guidelines.
9 Uranium in Groundwater in Telangana
In October 2019, the Atomic Minerals Directorate (AMD) found dangerous levels
of uranium concentration in the groundwater samples tested in the Lambapur–
Peddagattu region of Nalgonda district in Telangana, known for its uranium
deposits. These findings came at a time when concerns are already being raised
around high levels of uranium in Tummalapalle, Kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh,
where uranium is being mined.
The department tested the samples collected from 25 private tube wells/hand
pumps, from November, 2018 to July, 2019, around Lambapur–Peddagattu region
in Nalgonda district, as part of the environmental baseline data collection. It was
found that uranium values in the sample locations vary from 1 to 2618 parts per
billion (ppb).
27
Uranium contamination in Punjab has been reported since the early 1990s, with
little information on where it has come from. Uranium is also found in Rajasthan
and Gujarat. Consumption of uranium causes kidney problems. While levels less
than 60 ppb are the prescribed safety limit by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board
(AERB) Uranium, the element is not monitored under the Bureau of Indian
Standard’s drinking water specifications.
10 Jal Jeevan Mission Guidelines and Water Quality
In March 2017, the Government of India launched the National Water Quality
Sub-Mission (NWQSM) under the National Rural Drinking Water Program to
provide safe drinking water in identified quality-affected rural habitations by March
26
https://nrdwp.gov.in/content/nwqsm. Last accessed on April 05, 2020.
27
https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/telangana/2020/feb/07/uranium-levels-in-groundwaterfound-to-be-high-in-telanganas-nalgonda-2100222.html. Last accessed on April 05, 2020.
88
I. Khurana and R. Sen