Lok Sabha Question No. 2627 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-22
Subject: Contamination of Ground and Surface Water
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Faizal P.P. Mohammed, Behanan Benny

## 2627

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2627

ANSWERED ON 22.12.2022

## CONTAMINATION OF GROUND AND SURFACE WATER SHRI MOHAMMED FAIZAL P.P.

## SHRI BENNY BEHANAN

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:-

(a) whether the Government is aware that chemical contamination of ground and surface water from natural contaminants such as arsenic and fluoride or industrial pollutants contributes to around five per cent of the total disease burden in the country and if so, the manner in which the Government proposes to tackle this issue; and

(b) the total number of deaths caused due to water-borne diseases in country during the last three years, State-wise?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI ( SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL )

(a) The  focus  of  the  Government  is  to  make  safe  drinking  water  available  to  all  citizens,  and   no information  pertaining  to  five  percent  contribution  of  diseases  due  to  chemical  contamination  of ground  and  surface  water  from  natural  contaminants  such  as  arsenic  and  fluoride  or  industrial pollutants on total disease burden in the country is readily available.

Water  being  a  State  subject,  initiatives  for  ground  water  management,  including  its  quality  is primarily  the  responsibility  of  the  States.   However,  various  steps  have  been  taken  by  the  Central Government for facilitating ground water quality improvement/ remediation of contamination in the country.

The  adverse  effects  of  the  water  pollution  can  be  addressed  if  safe  water  is  made  available  to public.  Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) is being implemented in rural areas since August, 2019 to provide potable  tap  water  supply  of  prescribed  quality  to  every  rural  household  by  2024.  Further,  National Water Quality Sub-Mission (NWQSM) was launched on 22 nd March, 2017 as a part of National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP), which has been subsumed with JJM, to provide safe drinking water to 27,544 arsenic/fluoride affected rural habitations in the country.

Similarly, Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT)  scheme is being implemented since June 25, 2015, in selected 500 cities and towns across the country which focuses on development of basic urban infrastructure in the AMRUT cities, such as water supply, sewerage & septage management, storm water drainage, green spaces & parks, and non-motorized urban transport. Further, AMRUT- 2.0 has been launched on 01 st October 2021 for the period of 05 years (FY 2021-22 to  2025-26),  with  the  objective  of  providing  universal  coverage  of  water  supply  through  functional household tap connection in all statutory towns in the country.

The  water  pollution  also  owe  its  origin  to  contamination  of  surface  water  sources  for  which various  efforts  have  been  made  in  the  country  by  installing  Sewage  Treatment  Plants,  Effluent Treatment Plants and better system of sewage networks etc.

Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in association with State Pollution Control Boards/Pollution  Control  Committees  (SPCBs/PCCs)  is  implementing  the  provisions  of  the  Water (Prevention & Control) Act, 1974 and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to prevent and control pollution in water.

This Department has issued guidelines for control and regulation of groundwater extraction with pan-India applicability notified on 24 September 2020.  The guidelines include suitable provisions on measures to be adopted to ensure groundwater free from pollution.

Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) generates ground water quality data of the country on a regional  scale  as  part  of  its  ground  water  quality  monitoring  program  and  various  scientific  studies which are shared with States/UTs for suitable corrective action.

(b) Central Bureau of Health Intelligence, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, publishes National Health  Profile  (NHP)  reports  wherein  the  State/UT-wise   information  (year-wise)  on  number  of cases/deaths due to various diseases including certain water-borne diseases have been compiled. The information in this regard can accessed through URL - https://www.cbhidghs.nic.in/index1.php?lang=1&level=1&sublinkid=75&lid=1135 .

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