GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI
DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 735
ANSWERED ON 10.02.2025
GROUNDWATER CONTAMINATION
735. SHRI ANIL KUMAR YADAV MANDADI

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a) whether Government is aware of the fact that groundwater across the country is contaminated which causes serious health hazards to living being;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether Government is also aware of the fact that National Green Tribunal has raised serious concern over the issue of groundwater contamination; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and Government’s response thereto?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI (SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY)

(a) & (b) Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) conducts ground water quality monitoring for several
contaminants Nitrate, Arsenic, Fluoride, Heavy metals etc. on a regular basis throughout the country and also generates ground water quality data on a regional scale during various scientific studies. These studies indicate that ground water in the country is largely potable. However, occurrence of the said contaminants in ground water beyond permissible limits (as per BIS) for human consumption in isolated pockets in various States / UTs has been reported.

As per the Annual Ground Water Quality Report 2024 of CGWB, Nitrate beyond permissible limit has
been reported in isolated pockets of 440 districts in 23 States/UTs. Similarly, Fluoride is detected in isolated pockets of 263 districts in 20 States/UTs. Further, Arsenic has been reported in isolated parts of 118 districts in 20 States.

(c) & (d) Comprehensive steps have been taken by the Ministry of Jal Shakti in co-ordination with the concerned States to address the issue of ground water contamination in the country. Government of India has taken proactive measures to address the concerns of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) regarding contamination by way of implementing Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in the country since August 2019 with an aim to provide potable tap water supply of prescribed quality and on regular &long term basis to every rural household in the country. Under JJM, top priority is accorded to quality-affected habitations.

As a result of cumulative efforts, it is reported that from August 2019 to January 2025 the number of Arsenic and Fluoride affected habitations in the country have declined from 14,020 to 314 and from 7,996 to 254 respectively. These remaining habitations have also been provided clean, & safe drinking water through Community Water Purifier Plants (CWPPs). In addition to the above, Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) is also actively involved in ensuring availability of potable quality ground water by way constructing arsenic/ fluoride-safe wells and also disseminating the technology involved.