(a) whether river water pollution has become the biggest problem in most of the river systems in the country;
(b) if so, the toxicity rate of all the major river systems in the country and the steps the Government propose to take to prevent this rampent pollution;
(c) whether CWC have collected data regarding water quality from the rivers of Brahmani, Mahanadi, Ib, Baitarini, Koel and Tel flowing in Orissa; and
(d) if so, the present level of toxicity in the Mahanadi and Brahmani rivers?
THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI T.R.BAALU)
(a) Water quality in the river systems of the country is affected in selected stretches due to the disposal of untreated or partially treated domestic sewage and industrial waste water. The pollution load gets diluted after travelling for a certain distance and depending on the flow of the river in that stretch.
(b) The toxicity rate of river systems is specifically not being measured. The health and pollution status of the river is assessed by measuring Dissolved Oxygen, Biochemical Oxygen Demand, Total & Fecal Coliform, Heavy Metals and Pesticides.A scheme of pollution abatement of rivers Mahanadi and Brahmani covering Cuttack, Talcher, Chandbali and Dharamshala has been approved at a cost of Rs. 23.98 crores. The scheme is under implementation. Pollution from industrial sources is tackled under the existing environmental laws.
(c)&(d) The Central Water Commission monitors the water quality at their gauge and discharge stations on rivers Brahmani, Mahanadi, Ib, Baitarni, Koel and Tel in the State of Orissa. However, the water quality monitoring is restricted to only a few physico-chemical parameters. Toxic and bacteriological parameters are not monitored for these sites.