As of now, the scenario is fearful and alarming. There is a variety of problems that
relate to quantity as well as quality. Eighty per cent of our drinking water needs are
met by groundwater, which is depleting at an alarming rate, compounded with
large-scale contamination.
Compared to surface water pollution, groundwater pollution due to anthropogenic sources is a far serious problem. In case of surface water sources, water
remains in contact with oxidizing agents of atmosphere and has potential to
improve quality over long flow distances in case of rivers and streams, provided
there is water in the surface water body. In addition, capture and treatment of
surface water sources are relatively easy. In case of ground water, the pollutants do
not have potential to dilute due to relatively small and slow intermixing. Unlike
surface water, the connectivity amongst aquifers is also not fully mapped, thereby
making difficult to contain such pollution in a specific area. The greatest problem is
the granularity of utilization through numerous dug wells in formal and informal
sector where each one will require a treatment facility.
Other quality issues facing rural include excessive fluoride in groundwater in 20
states, which cause deformities in bones and teeth. Arsenic is found in seven states
of India, namely West Bengal, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Manipur and
Chhattisgarh. Harmful effects of arsenic consumption include bladder, lung, liver
and skin cancer, heart disease, strokes and diabetes.
Unconfined aquifers are tapped extensively for water supply across the country.
The chemical parameters are TDS, fluoride and chloride. Arsenic, nitrate and iron
are the main constituents defining the quality of water in unconfined aquifers. The
following were tested in the unconfined aquifers (Table 3):
• Electrical conductivity or salinity: Salinity always exists in groundwater in
varying amounts.
• Chloride
• Fluoride (>1.5 mg/l)
• Iron (>1.0 mg/l)
• Arsenic (>0.01 mg/l)
• Nitrate (>45 mg/l).
Table 4 informs which states have more than permissible levels of four
parameters.
7 Interlinking Pollution Between Surface Water
and Groundwater
While surface water and groundwater behave differently, there are several examples
of how the pollution of one leads to pollution and contamination of the other, some
of which are given below.
Tackling Water Quality Issues
83
relate to quantity as well as quality. Eighty per cent of our drinking water needs are
met by groundwater, which is depleting at an alarming rate, compounded with
large-scale contamination.
Compared to surface water pollution, groundwater pollution due to anthropogenic sources is a far serious problem. In case of surface water sources, water
remains in contact with oxidizing agents of atmosphere and has potential to
improve quality over long flow distances in case of rivers and streams, provided
there is water in the surface water body. In addition, capture and treatment of
surface water sources are relatively easy. In case of ground water, the pollutants do
not have potential to dilute due to relatively small and slow intermixing. Unlike
surface water, the connectivity amongst aquifers is also not fully mapped, thereby
making difficult to contain such pollution in a specific area. The greatest problem is
the granularity of utilization through numerous dug wells in formal and informal
sector where each one will require a treatment facility.
Other quality issues facing rural include excessive fluoride in groundwater in 20
states, which cause deformities in bones and teeth. Arsenic is found in seven states
of India, namely West Bengal, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Manipur and
Chhattisgarh. Harmful effects of arsenic consumption include bladder, lung, liver
and skin cancer, heart disease, strokes and diabetes.
Unconfined aquifers are tapped extensively for water supply across the country.
The chemical parameters are TDS, fluoride and chloride. Arsenic, nitrate and iron
are the main constituents defining the quality of water in unconfined aquifers. The
following were tested in the unconfined aquifers (Table 3):
• Electrical conductivity or salinity: Salinity always exists in groundwater in
varying amounts.
• Chloride
• Fluoride (>1.5 mg/l)
• Iron (>1.0 mg/l)
• Arsenic (>0.01 mg/l)
• Nitrate (>45 mg/l).
Table 4 informs which states have more than permissible levels of four
parameters.
7 Interlinking Pollution Between Surface Water
and Groundwater
While surface water and groundwater behave differently, there are several examples
of how the pollution of one leads to pollution and contamination of the other, some
of which are given below.
Tackling Water Quality Issues
83