Bihar Groundwater Contamination: Arsenic, Fluoride, and Iron Detected Across Districts
In a concerning revelation, arsenic has been identified in groundwater sources across 14 districts of Bihar, with fluoride contamination in 11 districts and iron in 12 districts. This admission came from Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) minister Sanjay Singh during a legislative assembly session on Wednesday. He was responding to a calling attention motion initiated by JD(U) MLA Dulal Chandra Goswami, who highlighted the rapid spread of dangerous diseases due to polluted groundwater.
Health Risks and Public Concerns
MLA Goswami emphasized that contaminated groundwater is fueling a surge in severe health issues, particularly in the Seemanchal region and areas along the Ganga riverbanks. He reported that diseases affecting the skin and bones, anaemia, blueberry syndrome, and even cancer are becoming increasingly prevalent. The minister acknowledged these risks, noting that excessive levels of contaminants like nitrate can cause blueberry disease in children, while high fluoride may lead to bone fluorosis and tooth decay.
Government Response and Water Quality Measures
Minister Singh detailed the state's efforts to combat this crisis. The department conducts regular water quality tests and has established toll-free and WhatsApp numbers for prompt complaint resolution. In the current financial year, 1,11,682 complaints have been received through the Central Grievance Redressal Cell (CGRC), with 108,832 already resolved. He assured that nitrate and lead levels in installed water supply schemes remain within permissible limits, but some hand pumps have exceeded nitrate standards. These problematic hand pumps have been marked and painted red to warn residents against using the water for drinking.
Permissible Limits and Contamination Sources
The minister specified the permissible limits for key contaminants:
- Arsenic: 0.01 milligrams per litre
- Fluoride: 1.0 milligrams per litre
- Nitrate: 45 milligrams per litre
He explained that chemical pollution in groundwater primarily stems from natural chemicals in subsurface rocks, with excessive groundwater extraction exacerbating concentration levels. To address this, surface-based units are being constructed for safer groundwater utilization.
Infrastructure and Purification Initiatives
Significant progress has been made in deploying purification equipment and treatment plants:
- Arsenic purification equipment installed in 4,709 wards, meeting the target.
- 'Jalapurti Yojana' with water treatment plants established in 3,784 wards out of a target of 3,789.
- Water supply units with iron treatment plants set up in 21,471 wards against a target of 21,709 iron-affected wards.
Additionally, the government has implemented tap water schemes and enhanced water quality testing through laboratories at state, district, and divisional levels. Chlorination units have been installed in all departmental water supply units to prevent bacterial contamination, with 30 district-level and 75 sub-divisional water testing laboratories now operational.
Ongoing Monitoring and Future Steps
Bacterial examination of water samples is being conducted at panchayat and district levels as part of a comprehensive protocol. Minister Singh reiterated the commitment to addressing drinking water issues through continuous testing and purification efforts, aiming to mitigate the health impacts of groundwater contamination across Bihar.
