(a) whether the Government is aware that ground water in various parts including villages across Tamil Nadu is found to be contaminated with Nitrates, Fluoride and other health hazard substances as per the samples collected from 1.5 lakh hand pumps in the State; and
(b) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Union Government to safeguard the underground water in the country including Tamil Nadu?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES (SHRI VINCENT H. PALA)
(a) & (b) The Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board (TWAD) have analyzed ground
water samples collected from 1.5 Lakh hand pumps in State. The study reveals that the
districts of dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Erode, Salem, Vellore and Virudhunagar have the incidence
of Fluroride and Nitrate in Ground water.
Following action have been taken by the Government to safeguard the underground water in the
country including Tamil Nadu:
(i) The State Government have initiated several measures like provision of alternate source
of water supply, fluorosis mitigation projects, construction of rainwater harvesting
structures, artificial recharge structures etc.
(ii) Ministry of Urban Development assists the States with central assistance under the
Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission and Urban infrastructure Development Scheme
for Small & Medium Towns (UIDSSMT).
(iii) Central Pollution Control Board has monitored ground water quality in metro cities of
the country with includes Chennai, Coimbatore and Madurai cities of Tamil Nadu.