Question : TDS in Water

(a) whether the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has urged the Government to issue notification regarding ban on RO purifiers in such areas where the Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) measure in water is less than500 mg/litre;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken by the Government for compliance of the order issued by NGT;
(c) the number of such areas where RO is not required as a result of the total dissolved solids (TDS)in water being less than 500 mg/litre; and
(d) the number of areas where the Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) measure in water is more than 500 mg/litre and potable water is not available?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI BABUL SUPRIYO)

(a) & (d) Hon’ble National Green Tribunal (NGT) in O.A. 134 of 2015 titled ‘Friends through its General Secretary versus Ministry of Water Resources’ vide its order dated 20.05.2019 has directed that Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change may issue appropriate notification prohibiting use of RO where TDS in water is less than 500 mg/l and wherever RO is permitted, a requirement is laid down for recovery of water be more than 60%. While regulating the use of RO system in the Country, inter alia based on the TDS parameter, the concerned Local Bodies like Public Health Engineering Department (PHED)/Jal Nigam/Municipal Corporation/Jal Board/Municipalities, Private and Public sector agencies engaged in potable water supply, shall inform the consumers about the water sources and quality including TDS concentration of water being supplied through billing instruments and also through public advertisement in newspaper and other mass media means on regular basis.

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