Lok Sabha Question No. 4991 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-25
Subject: Arsenic and Heavy Metals in Ground Water
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Pankaj Chowdhary

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI, DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.

## †4991 ANSWERED ON 25 .03 .2021

## ARSENIC AND HEAVY ME TALS IN GROUND WATER

## †4991. SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has taken cognizance of the presence of harmful bacteria along w and heavy metals in ground water;

(b)  whether  poisonous  food  chain  is  posing  health  hazards  to  th e  common man  due  to  supply  of contaminated drinking water and use of such water for irrigation purpose;

(c) whether the Government is taking any step to provide safe and contamination free drinkin common citizens of the country; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI & SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT

## (SHRI RATTAN LAL KATARIA

## )

(a)Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) generates ground water quality data of the country on a scale as part of its ground water quality monitoring activity. The monitoring indicates th contaminants such as Flouride, Arsenic, Nitrat e, Iron and Heavy Metals beyond permissible limits (as BIS) for human consumption in isolated pockets in various States / UTs.

(b) No specific information on the matter is available. However, it is stated that consumi contaminants beyon d BIS limits may have some adverse health effects.

(c) & (d) Water being State subject, initiatives on water management including taking cor related  to  ground  water  quality  in  the  country  is  primarily  States'  responsibility.  However,  Central Pollution  Control  Board  (CPCB)  in  association  with  State  Pollution  Control  Boards/Pollut Committees (SPCBs/PCCs) is implementing the provisions of The Water (Prevention & Control) Ac & The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to prevent an d control pollution.

Government of India in partnership with States, is implementing Jal Jeevan Mission August, 2019 to provide potable tap water supply of prescribed quality to every rural hou country  by  2024.  Under  JJM,  while  p lanning  water  supply  schemes  to  provide  tap  water  suppl households, priority is given to quality -affected habitations. While allocating the funds to States/ particular  financial  year,  10%  weightage  is  given  to  the  population  residing  in  habita tions  affected  by chemical contaminants including Arsenic and Fluoride, as on 31st March of the preceding Finan

Since, planning, implementation and commissioning of piped water supply schemes bas safe water source likely to take time, States/ UTs have been advised to install community wat plants  (CWPPs)  in  such  habitations,  purely  as  an  interim measure,  to  provide  potable  water  to  ever household at the rate of 8 -10 litre per capita per day to meet their drinking and cooking requirem

Under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) launched on June,  2015  in  selecte d  500  cities  with  focus  on  development  of  urban  infrastructure  in  vario including water supply, States/UTs have the option to take projects on special water supply for  difficult  areas,  hill  and  coastal  cities,  including  those  having water  quality  problems  with  Arsenic, Fluoride etc.

CGWB has constructed several exploratory and observation wells in the Country tap Arsenic safe deeper aquifer zones delineated through exploration aided detailed aquifer m National Aqu ifer Mapping programme. Successful wells have been handed over to the State Governm for their purposeful utilization. Further, CGWB is providing technical assistance to the S the cement sealing technology for tapping contamination free aquifers in Gangetic flood plains.

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