Lok Sabha Question No. 1950 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-09
Subject: Heavy Metal in Rivers
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Queen Oja, Arvind Kumar Sharma, Bharatiben Dhirubhai Shyal

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1950 ANSWERED ON 09.12.2021

## HEAVY METAL IN RIVERS

## 1950. SHRIMATI QUEEN OJA DR. ARVIND KUMAR SHARMA DR. BHARATIBEN DHIRUBHAI SHIYAL

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is true that two third of water quality stations on major rivers have presence of one or more heavy metal beyond permissible limit;

(b) if so, the details of efforts being made or planned by Government to address this situation; and

(c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI

## (SHRI BISHWESWAR TUDU)

(a)  to  (c)  Rivers  in  the  country  are  polluted  and  contaminated  mainly  due  to  discharge  of  untreated  and partially treated sewage from cities/towns and industrial effluents in their respective catchments. Non-point source of pollution like  erosion,  transportation  and  sedimentation  of  rocks,  soils,  agriculture  runoff,  open defecation  and  runoff  from  solid  waste  dumping  sites,  etc.  also  contribute  to  pollution  of  river.  Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in association with State Pollution Control Boards/Committees in different States/Union Territories (UTs) have been monitoring water quality of rivers and other water bodies, across the  country  through  a  network  of  4294  monitoring  stations  under  the  National  Water  Quality  Monitoring Programme. The  monitoring  is  conducted  and  samples  analyzed  for  various  physico-chemical,  microbiological  and  micro-pollutants  (metals  &  pesticides)  parameters  as  per  Guidelines  for  Water  Quality Monitoring, 2017 issued by Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC).

The trace metals attached to sediment particles are migrated and dispersed in the flood plains due to annual flushing of streams and rivers. Other sources of metals in rivers are primarily industrial activities. The concentration range of various heavy metals such as Arsenic (Ar), Cadmium (Cd), Copper (Cu), Lead (Pb),  Chromium (Cr), Nickel (Ni),  Zinc (Zn), Mercury  (Hg),  Iron (Fe)  and Manganese  (Mn) observed in major rivers of the country during the year 2020 is given at Annexure-I . CPCB have also informed that at present  no  limits  have  been  prescribed  under  Primary  Water  Quality  Criteria  for  Bathing  Waters  notified under  the  Environment  Protection  Act,  1986  by  MoEF&CC  to  check  presence  of  heavy  metals  in  rivers beyond permissible limits.

Cleaning/rejuvenation of rivers is an ongoing activity. It is the responsibility of the States/UTs and local bodies to ensure required treatment of sewage and industrial effluents to the prescribed norms before discharging  into  river  and  other  water  bodies,  coastal  waters  or  land  to  prevent  and  control  of  pollution therein.  For  conservation  of  rivers,  this  Ministry  has  been  supplementing  the  efforts  of  States/UTs  by providing financial and technical assistance for abatement of pollution in identified stretches of rivers in the country through the Central Sector Scheme of NamamiGange for rivers in Ganga basin and the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) for other rivers.

NRCP has so far covered polluted stretches on 34 rivers in 77 towns spread over 16 States in the country with the project sanctioned cost of Rs.5961.75 crore, and inter-alia, a sewage treatment capacity of 2677.03 MLD (million litres per day) has been created. Under the NamamiGangeprogramme, a total of 353 projects, including 157 projects for sewage treatment of 4952 MLD and sewer network of 5212 kms., have been sanctioned at a cost of Rs.30458 crore.

In addition, sewerage infrastructure is created under programs like Atal Mission for Rejuvenation & Urban Transformation (AMRUT) and Smart Cities Mission of Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs.

As per the Provisions of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution), Act 1974, industrial units are required to install effluent treatment plants (ETPs) and treat their effluents to comply with stipulated environmental standards before discharging into river and water bodies. Accordingly, CPCB, State Pollution Control Boards/Pollution Control Committees monitor industries with respect to effluent discharge standards and take action for non-compliance under provisions of these Acts.

Besides,  in  compliance  of  the  orders  of  National  Green  Tribunal  (NGT)  in  Original  Application No.673/2018 regarding rejuvenation of polluted  river  stretches  in  the  country,  States/UTs  are  required  to implement approved action plans for restoration of the polluted stretches in their jurisdiction as identified by CPCB and published  in  their  report  of  2018,  within  the  stipulated  timelines.  As  per  the  orders  of  NGT, regular review on implementation of action plans is undertaken in the States/UTs and also at Central level.

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Annexure referred to in reply to parts (a) to (c) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1950 to be answered on the 09.12.2021 regarding 'Heavy Metal in Rivers'.

RIVER WISE - HEAVY METAL (Ar, Cd, Cu, Pb& Cr) OBSERVED IN YEAR 2020

| Sl. No.   | Name of River   | Monitored Parameters - Heavy Metals   | Monitored Parameters - Heavy Metals   | Monitored Parameters - Heavy Metals   | Monitored Parameters - Heavy Metals   | Monitored Parameters - Heavy Metals   | Monitored Parameters - Heavy Metals   | Monitored Parameters - Heavy Metals   | Monitored Parameters - Heavy Metals   | Monitored Parameters - Heavy Metals   | Monitored Parameters - Heavy Metals   |
|-----------|-----------------|---------------------------------------|---------------------------------------|---------------------------------------|---------------------------------------|---------------------------------------|---------------------------------------|---------------------------------------|---------------------------------------|---------------------------------------|---------------------------------------|
| Sl. No.   | Name of River   | Arsenic (mg/L)                        | Arsenic (mg/L)                        | Cadmium (mg/L)                        | Cadmium (mg/L)                        | Copper (mg/L)                         | Copper (mg/L)                         | Lead (mg/L)                           | Lead (mg/L)                           | Chromium Total (mg/L)                 | Chromium Total (mg/L)                 |
| Sl. No.   | Name of River   | Min                                   | Max                                   | Min                                   | Max                                   | Min                                   | Max                                   | Min                                   | Max                                   | Min                                   | Max                                   |
| 1         | BAITARNI        | -                                     | -                                     | 0.0006                                | 0.0018                                | 0.002                                 | 0.019                                 | 0.002                                 | 0.008                                 | -                                     | -                                     |
| 2         | BEAS            | BDL                                   | BDL                                   | BDL                                   | BDL                                   | BDL                                   | BDL                                   | BDL                                   | BDL                                   | BDL                                   | 0.06                                  |
| 3         | BRAHMANI        | -                                     | -                                     | 0.0004                                | 0.0023                                | 0.001                                 | 0.03                                  | 0.004                                 | 0.011                                 | -                                     | -                                     |
| 4         | BRAHMAPUTRA     | BDL                                   | BDL                                   | BDL                                   | BDL                                   | 0.003                                 | 0.006                                 | BDL                                   | BDL                                   | BDL                                   | BDL                                   |
| 5         | CAUVERY         | BDL                                   | 0.01                                  | 0.0008                                | 0.02                                  | 0.0015                                | 0.3                                   | 0.006                                 | 0.1                                   | 0.05                                  | 0.06                                  |
| 6         | CHAMBAL         | -                                     | -                                     | BDL                                   | 0.001                                 | BDL                                   | 0.095                                 | BDL                                   | 0.039                                 | BDL                                   | 0.015                                 |
| 7         | GANGA           | 0.00049                               | 0.01                                  | 0.00042                               | 0.00042                               | 0.00035                               | 0.015                                 | 0.00031                               | 0.01                                  | 0.00056                               | 0.42                                  |
| 8         | GHAGGAR         | BDL                                   | BDL                                   | 0.00042                               | 0.9                                   | 0.00035                               | 0.17                                  | 0.00031                               | 0.419                                 | 0.00056                               | 0.6                                   |
| 9         | GODAVARI        | 0.001                                 | 0.09                                  | 0.02                                  | 0.09                                  | 0.002                                 | 0.09                                  | 0.001                                 | 0.09                                  | 0.005                                 | 0.09                                  |
| 10        | KRISHNA         | 0.00083                               | 0.01                                  | 0.00001                               | 0.09                                  | 0.00243                               | 0.09                                  | 0.00002                               | 0.09                                  | 0.00026                               | 0.09                                  |
| 11        | MAHANADI        | BDL                                   | 0.01                                  | 0.0006                                | 0.02                                  | 0.001                                 | 0.039                                 | 0.001                                 | 0.199                                 | 0.008                                 | 0.06                                  |
| 12        | MAHI            | BDL                                   | BDL                                   | 0.0004                                | 0.008                                 | 0.001                                 | 0.02                                  | BDL                                   | 0.013                                 | BDL                                   | 0.003                                 |
| 13        | NARMADA         | BDL                                   | BDL                                   | 0.017                                 | 0.026                                 | 0.007                                 | 0.012                                 | BDL                                   | BDL                                   | BDL                                   | BDL                                   |
| 14        | PENNAR          | 0.00327                               | 0.00327                               | 0.00008                               | 0.00008                               | 0.008                                 | 0.043                                 | 0.00209                               | 0.041                                 | 0.0011                                | 0.043                                 |
| 15        | SABARMATI       | 0.005                                 | 0.005                                 | BDL                                   | BDL                                   | 0.015                                 | 0.38                                  | 0.012                                 | 0.012                                 | 0.005                                 | 0.06                                  |
| 16        | SATLUJ          | 0.01                                  | 0.01                                  | 0.00042                               | 0.02                                  | 0.00035                               | 0.3                                   | 0.00031                               | 0.1                                   | 0.00056                               | 0.2                                   |
| 17        | TAPI            | BDL                                   | BDL                                   | BDL                                   | BDL                                   | BDL                                   | BDL                                   | BDL                                   | BDL                                   | BDL                                   | BDL                                   |
| 18        | YAMUNA          | BDL                                   | 0.00049                               | 0.00042                               | 0.42                                  | 0.00035                               | 0.35                                  | 0.00031                               | 0.31                                  | 0.00056                               | 0.56                                  |

RIVER WISE - HEAVY METAL (Ni, Zn, Hg, Fe, &Mn) OBSERVED IN YEAR 2020

| Sl. No.   | Name of River   | Monitored Parameter - Heavy Metals   | Monitored Parameter - Heavy Metals   | Monitored Parameter - Heavy Metals   | Monitored Parameter - Heavy Metals   | Monitored Parameter - Heavy Metals   | Monitored Parameter - Heavy Metals   | Monitored Parameter - Heavy Metals   | Monitored Parameter - Heavy Metals   | Monitored Parameter - Heavy Metals   | Monitored Parameter - Heavy Metals   |
|-----------|-----------------|--------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|
| Sl. No.   | Name of River   | Nickel (mg/L)                        | Nickel (mg/L)                        | Zinc (mg/L)                          | Zinc (mg/L)                          | Mercury (mg/L)                       | Mercury (mg/L)                       | Iron (mg/L)                          | Iron (mg/L)                          | Manganese (mg/L)                     | Manganese (mg/L)                     |
| Sl. No.   | Name of River   | Min                                  | Max                                  | Min                                  | Max                                  | Min                                  | Max                                  | Min                                  | Max                                  | Min                                  | Max                                  |
| 1         | BAITARNI        | 0.004                                | 0.022                                | 0.001                                | 0.048                                | 0.00006                              | 0.00057                              | 0.094                                | 1.165                                | -                                    | -                                    |
| 2         | BEAS            | BDL                                  | 0.1                                  | 0.003                                | 0.287                                | 0.001                                | 0.001                                | BDL                                  | 1.54                                 | -                                    | -                                    |
| 3         | BRAHMANI        | 0.002                                | 0.013                                | 0.001                                | 0.177                                | 0.00006                              | 0.00083                              | 0.007                                | 1.317                                | -                                    | -                                    |
| 4         | BRAHMAPUTRA     | BDL                                  | BDL                                  | 0.01                                 | 0.064                                | BDL                                  | BDL                                  | 0.014                                | 0.16                                 | -                                    | -                                    |
| 5         | CAUVERY         | 0.006                                | 0.1                                  | 0.0015                               | 0.3                                  | 0.001                                | 0.003                                | 0.05                                 | 1.013                                | 0.047                                | 0.1                                  |
| 6         | CHAMBAL         | BDL                                  | 0.09                                 | 0.0217                               | 2.37                                 | -                                    | -                                    | 0.015                                | 1.23                                 | 0.037                                | 0.169                                |
| 7         | GANGA           | 0.00054                              | 0.04                                 | 0.003                                | 0.23                                 | 0.0001                               | 0.0001                               | 0.06                                 | 13.66                                | 0.04                                 | 0.27                                 |
| 8         | GHAGGAR         | 0.00054                              | 0.4                                  | 0.01                                 | 0.7                                  | BDL                                  | 0.001                                | 0.29                                 | 67.7                                 | 0.05                                 | 3.29                                 |
| 9         | GODAVARI        | 0.001                                | 0.09                                 | 0.001                                | 0.09                                 | 0.09                                 | 0.09                                 | 0.002                                | 3.139                                | -                                    | -                                    |
| 10        | KRISHNA         | 0.00008                              | 0.09                                 | 0.00028                              | 0.09                                 | 0.00024                              | 0.09                                 | 0.00779                              | 0.273                                | 0.021                                | 0.078                                |
| 11        | MAHANADI        | 0.001                                | 0.1                                  | 0.002                                | 0.46                                 | 0.00006                              | 0.001                                | 0.034                                | 1.625                                | 0.1                                  | 3.89                                 |
| 12        | MAHI            | 0.09                                 | 0.09                                 | 0.0104                               | 0.457                                | BDL                                  | BDL                                  | 0.04                                 | 0.744                                | 0.0715                               | 0.1674                               |
| 13        | NARMADA         | 0.003                                | 0.151                                | 0.028                                | 0.05                                 | BDL                                  | BDL                                  | 0.04                                 | 0.563                                | 0.002                                | 0.02                                 |
| 14        | PENNAR          | 0.00123                              | 0.00123                              | 0.0046                               | 0.165                                | 0.00315                              | 0.00315                              | 0.161                                | 1.333                                | 0.014                                | 0.242                                |
| 15        | SABARMATI       | 0.005                                | 0.026                                | 0.017                                | 0.19                                 | BDL                                  | BDL                                  | 0.02                                 | 1.69                                 | 0.003                                | 0.1                                  |
| 16        | SATLUJ          | 0.00054                              | 0.1                                  | 0.00059                              | 11                                   | 0.001                                | 0.001                                | 0.1                                  | 7.08                                 | BDL                                  | 0.92                                 |
| 17        | TAPI            | BDL                                  | BDL                                  | BDL                                  | BDL                                  | BDL                                  | BDL                                  | 0.07                                 | 0.07                                 | -                                    | -                                    |
| 18        | YAMUNA          | 0.00054                              | 0.54                                 | 0.00059                              | 1.15                                 | BDL                                  | BDL                                  | 0.029                                | 15.89                                | 0.02                                 | 0.56                                 |

-  BDL- Below the Detection Limit

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