Lok Sabha Question No. 5292 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-03
Subject: Contamination of Groundwater in Bihar
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Dr. Mohammad Jawed

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI

## DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5292

ANSWERED ON 03.04.2025

## CONTAMINATION OF GROUNDWATER IN BIHAR

## 5292.   DR. MOHAMMAD JAWED

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is aware of the recent studies indicating the presence of high levels of manganese in drinking water in Bihar's Gangetic plains which have been linked to cancer and if so, the details thereof;

(b)  the  steps  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  address  this  issue  and  reduce  the  presence  of  manganese  in drinking water in the affected regions;

(c) whether there are any ongoing monitoring and regulation measures to ensure the safety of drinking water in these areas; and

(d) if so, the details thereof along with the specific action taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI

## ( SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY )

(a) Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) generates ground water quality data of the entire country including Bihar on a regional scale as part of its ground water quality monitoring program and various scientific studies. Most of the regular parameters like Electrical Conductivity (EC), Carbonates, Sodium, Nitrate, Fluoride etc. are monitored annually and heavy metal analysis is being done periodically. The data on ground water quality for Bihar indicates that  the  ground  water  in  the  state  remains  largely  potable.  However,  localized  occurrence  of certain contaminants, including heavy metals like Manganese, beyond the limits prescribed for drinking water use has been reported in some isolated pockets in the analysis conducted during 2019. In this analysis, out of 607 samples tested, Manganese in excess of permissible limits of 0.3 mg/L has been detected in 221 samples (36.41%)  in  certain  isolated  areas  across  34  districts.  However,  the  co-relation  between  occurrence  of Manganese in drinking water and incidence of cancer requires further investigation.

(b)  to  (d) Water  is  a  state  subject  and  the  responsibility  of  taking  initiatives  to  mitigate  ground  water contamination, including that caused by Manganese and to provide safe drinking water to citizens lies primarily with the state governments. However, to complement the efforts of the state governments, several steps have been  taken  by  the  Central  Government  to  address  these  issues.  Some  of  the  important  ones  are  mentioned below:-

- i. The ground water quality data generated by CGWB including that for heavy metal contamination like that  of  Manganese,  is  regularly  disseminated  through  Annual  Reports,  Half-yearly  Bulletins  and Fortnightly Alerts for quick action by the stakeholders.

- ii. In order to enhance  monitoring  efficiency, a  new  Standard  Operating  Procedure  (SoP)  for Groundwater Quality Monitoring has been adopted by CGWB, which stipulates more frequent and denser  sampling,  particularly  in  vulnerable  areas,  to  ensure  a  more  comprehensive  assessment  of groundwater quality.
- iii. Under  the  National  Aquifer  Mapping  Programme  (NAQUIM)  of  CGWB,  while  taking  up  aquifer studies, special attention is being given to the aspect of ground water quality including contamination by toxic substances such as heavy metals like Manganese in ground water.
- iv. Jal  Jeevan  Mission  (JJM)  -  Har  Ghar  Jal,  being  implemented  by  this  Ministry  in  partnership  with states, marks an important milestone for providing contamination free potable tap water to every rural household of the country in adequate quantity, of prescribed quality and on regular & long-term basis. Following measures have been taken under JJM to facilitate action on water quality aspects at state level, including in Bihar :-
4.  Water safety has been one of the key priorities under the JJM since its inception. Under the JJM, Bureau of Indian Standards' BIS:10500 standards have been adopted as prescribed norms for quality of tap water service delivery.
5.  While allocating the funds to States/ UTs, 10% weightage is given to the population residing in habitations affected by chemical contaminants.
6.  The  'Drinking  Water  Quality  Monitoring  &  Surveillance  Framework'  was  devised  and disseminated to states in October 2021.
7.  To facilitate implementation of the above said Framework, around 2180 water quality testing laboratories  have  been  set  up  in  the  country,  with  123  in  Bihar.  Besides  this,  five  persons, preferably women are identified and trained from every village for testing the water samples through  Field  Test  Kits  (FTKs).  States/UTs  have  been  advised  to  carry  out  testing  of  water quality on a regular basis and take remedial action wherever necessary, to ensure that the water supplied to households is of prescribed quality.
8.  States/ UTs have also been advised to install community water purification plants (CWPPs) as an interim measure, especially in quality affected habitations, to provide potable drinking water to every household.

As a result of all these cumulative efforts, the state of Bihar has reported under JJM that, as on date, there are no Manganese affected habitations left in the state.

- v. The ground water pollution also owes its origin to contamination of surface water sources for which various  efforts  have  been  made  in  the  country  like  installing  Sewage  Treatment  Plants,  Effluent Treatment Plants and better system of sewage networks etc. Under National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), the government has initiated several steps for improving the water quality along the river Ganga and its tributaries, which also covers the area of Bihar.
- vi. 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. CPCB has made a comprehensive programme on water pollution for controlling point sources by  developing  industry  specific  standards  and  general  standards  for  discharge  of  effluents  notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 for enforcement by SPCBs/PCCs.

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