Assessing India’s Water Quality Challenge
Assessing India’s Water Quality Challenge
India’s rivers have always been central to its civilization, economy, and ecology. They provide drinking water, irrigation, hydroelectric power, and sustain biodiversity. However, rapid urbanization, unchecked industrial growth, and inadequate sewage treatment have severely affected river water quality. To monitor these challenges, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) conducts nationwide assessments of river pollution. Its 2023 report indicates a marginal but noteworthy decline in the number of polluted river sites—from 815 in 2022 to 807 in 2023. While the improvement is small, the findings offer critical insights into the state of India’s water resources and the policy actions required for their rejuvenation.
About the CPCB Report
The CPCB report is a systematic evaluation of water quality in rivers and associated ecosystems. It identifies areas of concern, ranks the severity of pollution, and provides guidance for targeted intervention.
One of the key features of this assessment is the use of Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) as a primary indicator. BOD measures the amount of oxygen required by microorganisms to decompose organic matter present in water. High BOD levels indicate organic pollution caused by untreated sewage, industrial effluents, and agricultural runoff.
- BOD greater than 3 mg/L: The water is unsuitable for bathing, indicating moderate pollution.
- BOD greater than 30 mg/L: Such sites are categorized as Priority-1 stretches, denoting extremely polluted waters requiring immediate remediation.
To ensure comprehensive coverage, the CPCB monitors water quality at 4,736 locations across rivers, lakes, canals, and drains. This extensive network provides an accurate picture of both national trends and regional hotspots.
Key Findings from 2023
The 2023 CPCB report highlights both improvements and continuing concerns in India’s river pollution profile.
- Polluted Sites: The number of identified polluted sites decreased from 815 in 2022 to 807 in 2023. Although the reduction is marginal, it suggests incremental improvements in wastewater treatment and monitoring.
- Polluted River Stretches (PRS): The number of PRS fell from 311 stretches across 279 rivers in 2022 to 296 stretches across 271 rivers in 2023. This indicates progress in tackling localized pollution sources.
- Priority-1 Stretches: The most significant achievement lies in reducing the number of critically polluted Priority-1 stretches. These dropped from 45 in 2022 to 37 in 2023, highlighting focused interventions in some of the worst-affected areas.
Despite these gains, over 800 polluted sites continue to threaten aquatic ecosystems and human health, showing that much work remains to be done.
State-wise Distribution of Polluted Stretches
The CPCB report also breaks down the data state by state, identifying regions most affected by water pollution.
- Maharashtra recorded the highest number of polluted stretches (54), largely due to industrial effluents, untreated municipal waste, and agricultural runoff.
- Kerala followed with 31 stretches, where urban waste and tourism-driven pressures contribute significantly to water degradation.
- Madhya Pradesh and Manipur reported 18 stretches each, reflecting a combination of industrialization and inadequate wastewater treatment.
- Karnataka reported 14 stretches, often linked to high urbanization in cities like Bengaluru and industrial belts along river basins.
This state-level data underscores the regional diversity of water quality challenges. Some states face issues from industrial corridors, while others struggle with untreated sewage from rapidly growing towns.
Significance of the Report
The CPCB’s polluted river sites report is not just an environmental assessment; it carries far-reaching implications for governance, health, and economic planning.
- Policy Relevance: The report provides baseline data to design and implement schemes like the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) and state-specific water rejuvenation programs. It identifies critical hotspots where investments in sewage treatment plants, effluent treatment technologies, and stricter enforcement are required.
- Environmental Health: Polluted river stretches pose a severe risk to aquatic ecosystems. High BOD levels reduce dissolved oxygen in water, leading to fish kills and loss of biodiversity. The report highlights areas where ecological balance is most threatened.
- Public Health: Rivers are still a major source of drinking water in many parts of India. Contaminated water leads to diseases such as cholera, dysentery, and hepatitis. The CPCB data helps in identifying areas where public health risks are highest.
- Accountability Tool: By ranking polluted stretches and categorizing Priority-1 zones, the report creates accountability for state governments and pollution control boards. It provides a benchmark against which progress—or lack thereof—can be measured annually.
Causes of River Pollution
While the CPCB report highlights the extent of the problem, it is equally important to understand the underlying causes:
- Untreated Sewage: A majority of Indian cities lack adequate sewage treatment facilities. Untreated domestic wastewater is the single largest source of organic pollution.
- Industrial Discharges: Effluents from tanneries, textiles, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals often find their way into rivers without sufficient treatment.
- Agricultural Runoff: Fertilizers and pesticides contribute to nutrient pollution, leading to eutrophication in many stretches.
- Solid Waste and Plastics: Unregulated dumping of municipal solid waste adds to river degradation, affecting both water quality and flow.
- Encroachment and Urbanization: Rapid urban growth along riverbanks reduces natural filtration and increases direct discharge of pollutants.
Way Forward
The CPCB report, while highlighting small improvements, makes it clear that more comprehensive and sustained action is needed. Some key strategies include:
- Expansion of Sewage Treatment Infrastructure: Investments must be directed toward building and upgrading sewage treatment plants in both large cities and smaller towns. Proper operation and maintenance of these plants are equally important.
- Adoption of Cleaner Technologies: Industries need to shift to eco-friendly production processes and ensure full compliance with effluent treatment norms. Use of zero-liquid discharge systems can help reduce pollution loads.
- Community Participation: River conservation requires active involvement of citizens. Awareness campaigns, citizen monitoring programs, and community-led clean-up initiatives can complement government efforts.
- Strengthening State Pollution Control Boards: Many state boards face capacity and manpower shortages. Providing them with resources, autonomy, and accountability frameworks can improve enforcement.
- Integrated River Basin Management: Pollution control should not be tackled stretch by stretch but through basin-wide strategies that consider hydrology, land use, and socio-economic factors.
- Leveraging Technology: Real-time monitoring through sensors, GIS mapping, and data analytics can make pollution control more responsive and evidence-based.
Conclusion
The CPCB’s 2023 report on polluted river sites offers a mixed picture. While the reduction from 815 to 807 sites and the decline in Priority-1 stretches are encouraging signs, the persistence of over 800 polluted sites shows that India’s water quality crisis is far from resolved. The report underscores the need for sustained investment, stronger regulation, and community involvement.
For a country where rivers hold cultural, ecological, and economic significance, ensuring their health is not just an environmental necessity but a developmental imperative. Effective sewage treatment, industrial regulation, and river basin management must be prioritized to restore rivers to their ecological balance. Only then can India truly achieve sustainable growth while safeguarding the lifelines of its civilization.