Relevance: GS3 – Environment & Public Health | Source: The Hindu
A recent commentary highlights the economic and health burden of groundwater pollution in India, affecting millions dependent on wells and borewells for daily use.
Groundwater supplies ~60% of irrigation and ~85% of rural drinking water. Contamination—fluoride, arsenic, nitrates, heavy metals—poses a silent but severe public-health risk.
Key Drivers of Pollution
- Excess fertiliser and pesticide runoff contaminating aquifers.
- Industrial discharge, untreated sewage, landfill leachates.
- Over-extraction reducing dilution capacity.
- Natural contaminants mobilised by declining water tables.
Costs & Impacts
- Higher incidence of cancer, fluorosis, kidney disease, stunting.
- Rising household expenditure on healthcare and bottled water.
- Loss of farm productivity due to soil-water toxicity.
- Long-term economic burden on low-income households.
What Must Change
Challenges | Way Forward |
| Weak enforcement of Water Act, limited monitoring | Expand real-time water quality surveillance under Jal Shakti Ministry |
| Lack of rural wastewater treatment | Promote decentralised greywater systems, village-level STPs |
| Fertiliser overuse in agriculture | Shift to soil-based nutrient planning, promote PM-PRANAM, organic inputs |
| High dependence on borewells | Promote aquifer recharge, watershed restoration, demand management |
Q. Consider the following statements regarding groundwater pollution in India:
- Nitrate contamination in groundwater is largely linked to agricultural practices.
- Arsenic contamination is found only in the Indo-Gangetic plains.
Which of the statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (a)
(Arsenic occurs mainly in the Indo-Gangetic basin but also in parts of NE and Rajasthan.)
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