Fresh Alarms Sound Over Punjab's Drinking Water Safety
Chandigarh: Significant new concerns have surfaced regarding the safety of drinking water in Punjab, following a comprehensive assessment conducted by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The report, which focused on groundwater sources, identified contamination at multiple locations across rural and semi-urban areas of the state, raising urgent public health questions.
CPCB's Groundwater Monitoring Initiative
The CPCB's regional directorate in Chandigarh mobilized three dedicated monitoring teams to undertake groundwater sampling at 34 pre-identified contaminated sites. This proactive measure was initiated in response to growing environmental alarms. The findings were formally submitted to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on April 2.
The NGT had taken suo motu cognisance of a report published in The Times of India, which highlighted the persistent issue of groundwater pollution in Punjab. The state has long grappled with severe water contamination, primarily attributed to agricultural run-off, unchecked dumping of untreated industrial waste and sewage, improper solid waste management, and the excessive use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides.
Detailed Analysis of Water Parameters
The CPCB assessment revealed a mixed picture. Key parameters such as sulphate, phenolic compounds, boron, ammoniacal nitrogen, chloride, calcium, and nitrates were generally found to be within both the acceptable and permissible limits set by the Bureau of Indian Standards (IS 10500:2012). However, concerning deviations were observed at numerous sampling locations, indicating localized pollution hotspots.
Results from the Department of Water Supply and Sanitation (DWSS) locations showed specific exceedances:
- pH Levels: Exceeded the acceptable drinking water range at sites including DWSS-07 (Shambukalan-Rajpura, Patiala) and DWSS-33 (Dipulana, Fazilka), with no relaxation permitted under the standards.
- Sulphate: Concentration surpassed the acceptable limit of 200 mg/l at five locations, though it remained below the permissible 400 mg/l ceiling.
- Ammoniacal Nitrogen & Magnesium: Exceeded acceptable limits at one sampling location each.
- Total Hardness: Went beyond the acceptable 200 mg/l limit at three sites.
- Total Alkalinity: Exceeded acceptable limits at a concerning 13 different locations.
- Total Dissolved Solids (TDS): Surpassed the acceptable limit of 500 mg/l at 10 sampling points.
- Fluoride: Concentration was found exceeding the acceptable 1 mg/l limit at seven sites.
It was noted that phenolic compounds, boron, chloride, calcium, and nitrates remained within safe limits across all DWSS sampling locations.
Heavy Metal Contamination Findings
The analysis for heavy metals presented both reassuring and alarming data. At DWSS spots, elements including mercury, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, manganese, nickel, selenium, zinc, and cyanide were all within acceptable and permissible limits.
However, critical exceptions were identified:
- Arsenic: Concentration exceeded the strict acceptable limit of 0.01 mg/l at three sampling locations.
- Iron: Levels surpassed acceptable limits at four different places.
In samples collected from borewells under the Department of Local Government, similar patterns emerged. Mercury, cadmium, lead, chromium, nickel, selenium, cyanide, and zinc were all within safe parameters.
Yet, further exceedances were recorded:
- Arsenic: Again exceeded the acceptable limit at two sampling locations.
- Iron: Concentration was above acceptable limits at four spots.
- Manganese: Was found exceeding the acceptable limit of 0.1 mg/l at one sampling location.
Implications and Ongoing Challenges
This detailed CPCB report underscores the persistent and complex challenge of ensuring safe drinking water in Punjab. While many parameters comply with national standards, the localized exceedances of critical substances like arsenic, iron, fluoride, and TDS point to specific environmental stressors and pollution sources that require targeted intervention. The findings reinforce the urgent need for sustained monitoring, stricter enforcement of industrial and agricultural regulations, and enhanced water treatment infrastructure to safeguard public health across the state's rural and semi-urban communities.
