Question : Increase of Arsenic in Brahmaputra River Water

(a) whether the Government is aware about increase of arsenic level in waters of Brahmaputra river and its tributaries and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the reasons for the said increase in arsenic level have been ascertained and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether it is a fact that the number of cancer and kidney patients has been rapidly increasing in the North Eastern Region as a result of the same; and

(d) if so, the details of action taken by the Government to check the increasing arsenic level in the said river?

Answer given by the minister

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION & PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS

(SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL)

(a) to (d) Central Water Commission (CWC) is monitoring water quality of river at 429 key locations covering 11 major river basins in India. Out of 429 monitoring location, CWC is measuring Water Quality in Brahmaputra Basin at 55 key locations covering 26 rivers including Brahmaputra and its tributaries.
According to the water quality analysis carried out by CWC during Dec-2015 to Aug-2017, Arsenic level in Brahmaputra and its tributaries have been observed to be within permissible limit at all 55 locations as per Drinking water standards for Trace & Toxic metals (BIS: 10500-2012). The details are enclosed at Annexure. As such, the increase in number of Cancer and Kidney patients, as mentioned in the question may not be attributable to the waters of Brahmaputra river and its tributaries.

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Arsenic Concentration in Brahmaputra & It''s Tributaries obtained during Dec-2015 to Aug-2017 of CWC Annexure-I

S.No Water Quality Station River Name Min (mg/L) Max (mg/L) Average (mg/L)
1 Beki Road bridge Beki 0.0031 0.0031 0.0031
2 Pancharatna Brahmaputra 0.0001 0.0018 0.0008
3 Pandu Brahmaputra 0.0004 0.0021 0.0011
4 Tezpur Brahmaputra 0.0001 0.0036 0.0020
5 Bhomoraguri Brahmaputra 0.0003 0.0044 0.0022
6 Neamatighat Brahmaputra 0.0006 0.0055 0.0027
7 Dibrugarh Brahmaputra 0.0004 0.0132 0.0044
8 Chenimari Buridehing 0.0004 0.0025 0.0012
9 Margherita Buridehing 0.0001 0.0036 0.0015
10 Naharkatia Buridehing 0.0011 0.0037 0.0019
11 Udaipur Burideing/Tirap 0.0001 0.0015 0.0008
12 Dillighat Desang 0.0004 0.0037 0.0018
13 Nanglamoraghat Desang 0.0004 0.0131 0.0049
14 Desangpani Desang 0.0001 0.0133 0.0044
15 Golaghat Dhansari 0.0004 0.0039 0.0020
16 Numaligarh Dhansari 0.0003 0.0184 0.0058
17 Bokajan Dhansari 0.0001 0.0209 0.0062
18 Gelabil Dhansari/Doyang 0.0003 0.0034 0.0018
19 Sonapur Digaru 0.0000 0.0019 0.0011
20 Sivasagar Dikhow 0.0000 0.0077 0.0029
21 Bihubar Dikhow 0.0000 0.0145 0.0044
22 Dudhnai Dudhnai 0.0011 0.0075 0.0030
23 Kokrajhar Gaurang 0.0025 0.0025 0.0025
24 Mathabhanga Jaldhaka 0.0024 0.0024 0.0024
25 Bhalukpong Jiabharali 0.0003 0.0119 0.0043
26 Jiabharali NT-Road Crossing Jiabharali 0.0001 0.0156 0.0052
27 Seppa Kameng 0.0000 0.0101 0.0033
28 Kheronighat Kopili 0.0004 0.0026 0.0015
29 Dharamtul Kopili 0.0001 0.0038 0.0019
30 Jagibhakatgaon Kopili 0.0003 0.0046 0.0019
31 Kampur Kopili 0.0005 0.0074 0.0029
32 Kulsi Kulsi 0.0001 0.0026 0.0011
33 Tezu Lohit 0.0002 0.0027 0.0016
34 Dholabazar Lohit 0.0004 0.0051 0.0022
35 Manas N.H. Crossing Manas 0.0030 0.0030 0.0030
36 Namsai Noa-dehing 0.0003 0.0033 0.0016
37 Miao Noa-dehing 0.0002 0.0115 0.0040
38 PagladiyaN.T.Road Crossing Pagladiya 0.0001 0.0020 0.0011
39 Matunga Pagladiya/Kalanadi 0.0004 0.0022 0.0013
40 Puthimari D.R.F Puthimari 0.0001 0.0021 0.0010
41 Puthimari NH road crossing Puthimari 0.0001 0.0029 0.0012
42 Suklai Puthimari/Suklai 0.0001 0.0016 0.0008
43 Ranganadi NT-Road Crossing Ranganadi 0.0003 0.0058 0.0030
44 Sankosh Sankosh 0.0030 0.0030 0.0030
45 Barobisha Sankosh/Raidak-II 0.0020 0.0020 0.0020
46 Passighat Siang 0.0007 0.0030 0.0018
47 Chouldhowaghat Subansiri 0.0001 0.0082 0.0030
48 Badatighat Subansiri 0.0003 0.0086 0.0036
49 Domohani Teesta 0.0025 0.0025 0.0025
50 TeestaBazar Teesta 0.0025 0.0025 0.0025
51 Mekhliganj Teesta 0.0031 0.0031 0.0031
52 Hassimara Torsa 0.0019 0.0019 0.0019
53 Ghugumari Torsa 0.0027 0.0027 0.0027
54 Chepan Torsa/Raidak-I 0.0025 0.0025 0.0025
55 Tufanganj Torsa/Raidak-I 0.0032 0.0032 0.0032

As per Drinking Water BIS: 10500-2012 Standards for Arsenic Arsenic (mg/L)
Acceptable Limit 0.01
Permissible limit in the absence of Alternative source 0.05

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