(a) the details of places in the country where sub-soil water is highly contaminated and affecting the health of people, State/ UT-wise; and
(b) the strategy evolved and contemplated to meet the situation?
(a) the details of places in the country where sub-soil water is highly contaminated and affecting the health of people, State/ UT-wise; and
(b) the strategy evolved and contemplated to meet the situation?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI ANIL MADHAV DAVE)
(a) Central Ground Water Board carries out groundwater quality assessment and monitoring across the country. Based on such assessment, locations in excess of permissible limits, as prescribed by Bureau of Indian Standards, have been identified. The State / UT-wise details are given in the annexure.
(b) The Central Pollution Control Board & State Pollution Control Boards / Pollution Control Committees (SPCBs / PCCs) are implementing the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to regulate the discharge of industrial effluent and sewage in order to address groundwater contamination.
The major steps taken by the Government to control water pollution include the following:
i. Preparation of action plan for sewage management and restoration of water quality in aquatic resources by State Governments;
ii. Installation of Online Effluent Monitoring System to check the discharge of effluent directly into the rivers and water bodies;
iii. Setting up of monitoring network for assessment of water quality;
iv. Action to comply with effluent standards is taken by SPCBs / PCCs to improve the water quality of the rivers;
v. Financial assistance for installation of Common Effluent Treatment Plants for cluster of Small Scale Industrial units;
vi. Issuance of directions for implementation of Zero Liquid Discharge;
vii. Issuance of directions under Section 5 of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to industries and under Section 18(1)(b) of Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974;
viii. Implementation of National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) for abatement of pollution in identified stretches of various rivers and undertaking conservation activities which inter-alia include interception & diversion of raw sewage, construction of sewerage systems, setting up of sewage treatment plants, low cost sanitation facilities, education and awareness creation, community participation, electric/improved wood crematoria and river front development.
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