| WATER
QUALITY
Water quality management demands the information with respect
to the nature and extent of existing water quality. The Central Pollution Control
Board has been monitoring quality of water bodies in collaboration with concerned
State Pollution Control Boards at 507 locations. Out of 507 locations, 414 monitoring
locations are on the rivers, 38 locations on lakes, 25 groundwater locations while
30 stations are situated on other water bodies like canals, creeks and drains.
So far, 430 locations are covered under the Monitoring of Indian National Aquatic
Resources (MINARS) programme, 50 stations under the Global Environmental Monitoring
Systems (GEMS) programme and 27 locations are under the Yamuna Action Plan (YAP)
programme. The monitoring at 371 locations is done at monthly interval while the
monitoring frequency at 136 stations is quarterly. The collected water samples
are analysed for 22 physico-chemical parameters. The
monitoring data of surface water resources reveal that the major rivers of the
country have retained pristine quality of water in their upper stretches. As the
rivers enter the plains, they start getting exploited for irrigation and drinking
and used as recipient of industrial and domestic wastewater. This has rendered
the rivers polluted. The presence of organics and bacterial contamination are
the critical pollution factors in these water bodies. The situation is mainly
responsible for water borne diseases. 
On the basis of water quality monitoring data,
the Central Pollution Control Board has identified surface water in terms of riverine
length having different levels of pollution. The water quality in rivers with
respect to BOD have been observed as follows:
| Sl.
No. | Water
Quality Status |
Riverine length (Kms) |
Percentage Riverine length
| | 1.
| Severely
polluted | 6,086
| 14
| | 2.
| Moderately
polluted | 8,691
| 19
| | 3.
| Relatively
clean | 30,242
| 67
| Review of Water Quality Monitoring Programme
The present water quality monitoring network, although
quite extensive is not adequate to cover all the variations in the quality. Moreover,
the nature and extent of pollution has been changing with the rapid urbanisation
and industrialisation. Thus, the need to review, rationalise and optimise the
monitoring network has been realized. Accordingly, the review exercise has been
undertaken for: - Optimization of monitoring programme; and
-
Development of guidelines for water quality monitoring.
As
an outcome of the review exercise, the Central Pollution Control Board has come
to the conclusion that the existing water quality network is to be strengthened
in respect of coverage of larger area as well as inclusion of more parameters
especially micropollutants, wherever required. It was also concluded that the
water bodies having stable water quality need to be monitored with lesser frequencies.
The resources and effort thus, saved can be utilised for augmenting the monitoring
network. Water Quality Status of Chennai Water Ways The
waterways in the cities constitute an important environmental component for assimilation
of wastewater, recharge of groundwater aquifers and also for maintaining the aesthetic
quality. Chennai City is traversed by four major waterways namely River Cooum,
River Adyar, Buckingham Canal and Otteri Nullah. The Water channels/drains such
as Mambalam drain, Captain Cotton Canal, Nandanam drain, Arumbakkam drain, Irugambakkam
drain and Kodungaiyur drain also traverses the city. In the earlier days, the
Buckingham Canal served as a useful mode for inter-state transport.
A project for environmental improvement of waterways
in Chennai, which is first of its kind, was launched to rejuvenate the important
watercourses in the city, which will have significant impacts on the well being
of the city and its populace. It is a collaborative initiative of the Chennai
Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board along with Tamil Nadu State Pollution
Control Board and the Central Pollution Control Board supported by the National
River Conservation Directorate, Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government
of India. The waterways of Chennai are not perennial
and these receive flood discharge only during monsoon season. During other months,
these are used as carriers of wastewater. Thus, the waterways function as elongated
lagoons for wide range of domestic, commercial and industrial wastes/effluents.
The uncollected sewage from unorganised sector, sewage from treatment plants,
effluent discharged from commercial establishments and wastewater from drainage
system finally reach the waterways of Chennai City. Several
outfalls from industries, commercial institutions, treated/partially treated sewage
from STPs, discharge from pumping stations and drains from the slums, discharge
wastewater into respective waterways in their basin. This wastewater discharge
contributes contaminated/polluted water to the waterways and produces insanitary
condition. The identified outfalls in various waterways are as follows:
Source-wise details of Wastewater Outfalls in Chennai City waterways
| Sl.No. | Outfalls
source |
Number of outfalls in waterways
| | River
Adyar | River
Cooum | Buckingham
Canal | Otteri
Nullah | | 1994 | 1999 | 1994 | 1999 | 1994 | 1999 | 1994 | 1999 |
| 1. | Industries | 20 | 11 | 18 | 1 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 4 |
| 2. | Commercial
Institutions | 38 | 38 | 18 | 11 | 21 | 21 | 3 | 3 |
| 3. | Sewage
Treatment Plant | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -- | 1 |
| 4. | Pumping
Stations | 4 | 1 | 2 | -- | 9 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| 5. | Sewer/Storm
water Drain | 148 | 147 | 281 | 276 | 63 | 64 | 43 | 43 |
| 6. | Slums | 17 | 17 | 24 | 24 | 20 | 19 | 5 | 5 |
| Total
| 228 | 215 | 344 | 313 | 128 | 123 | 66 | 57 |
The number of outfalls discharging effluents into
city waterways has been reduced to 708 during 1999, as compared to 766 in the
year 1994. As per survey conducted in March 1994, the total number of industrial
outfalls was 65, which has been subsequently reduced to 29 outfalls into various
waterways of the city. These outfalls contribute total flow of 12330.30 KLD to
the waterways. The Sewage Treatment Plants provided by the Chennai Metropolitan
Water Supply and Sewerage Board takes care of only one third of the total sewage
generation, besides the fact that the STPs have been designed during 1970s and
does not cover the extensive growth of the city thereafter. Bio-monitoring
of Aquatic Resources Bio-monitoring of water bodies
has been undertaken in the problem areas of Singrauli, Vapi, Ankleshawar, Pali,
Jodhpur, Angul-Talcher and Najafgarh Drain basin in Delhi to assess the water
quality. In addition, bio-monitoring of national aquatic
systems was initiated in 13 States with association of respective State Pollution
Control Boards. Monitoring of biological parameters
were also conducted at three lakes, Ulsoor, Sankey and Yelemallappa; one reservoir,
Thippagondanahalli (T.G.Halli), which is a drinking water source; and two minor
rivers, Arkavathi and Kumudavathi in Bangalore. 
Monitoring of Haldi and Roopnarayan Rivers in West Bengal
Studies on the rivers Haldi and Roopnarayan in West Bengal
were conducted to identify the status of water quality. A comprehensive report
on the status of water quality has been prepared. The water quality data are summarised
below: Water Quality of Haldi River
| Parameters
| Haldi Mouth | Upstream
Township | Matingini
Setu | Moina |
| pH | 7.96-8.08 | 7.9-8.05 | 7.7-8.01 | 7.91-8.10 |
| TDS (mg/l) | 6724-18096 | 7668-18730 | 5446-12504 | 858-11966 |
| Chloride (mg/l) | 2755-8700 | 2745-6100 | 2639-6000 | 245-5500 |
| Total Hardness
(mg/l) | 913-2884 | 981-1836 | 446-2076 | 125-1817 |
| DO (mg/l) | 6.9-7.8 | 7.2-8.1 | 6.3-7.9 | 6.8-7.6 |
| BOD (mg/l) | 1-2 | 1.3-1.4 | 1-2.1 | 1-2.0 |
| Total Coliforms
(Nos./100 ml) | 32400-127200 | 24000-60000 | 14000-33200 | 3300-73600 |
| Faecal Coliforms
(Nos./100 ml) | 32400-127200 | 24000-60000 | 14000-33200 | 3300-73600 |
Water Quality of Roopnarayan River
| Parameters
| Mouth
| Tamluk
| KTPS
| Kolaghat
| Ghatal
| | pH
| 7.40-7.95
| 7.10-8.05
| 7.40-8.02
| 7.40-7.79
| 7.03-7.42
| | TDS
(mg/l) | 335-610
| 283-1210
| 195-1178 | 186-1088 | 134-242 |
| Chlorides (mg/l) | 83-225 | 67-502 | 51-492 | 40-454 | 28-36 |
| Total Hardness
(mg/l) | 146-201 | 127-326 | 107-317 | 95-288 | 67-87 |
| DO (mg/l) | 5.7-6.8 | 5.7-6.9 | 5.9-7.1 | 5.7-7.0 | 5.9-7.6 |
| BOD (mg/l) | 1.0-2.0 | 1-1.4 | 1-1.7 | 1.3-2.0 | 1-1.7 |
| Total Colifirms
(Nos./100 ml) | 4600-27400 | 4200-208000 | 7600-60800 | 8800-22200 | 6800-109200 |
| FC (CFU/100 ml) | 1600-24000 | 1800-76800 | 4000-30400 | 5600-10200 | 4900-6800 |
Non-point Sources of Pollution The Central
Pollution Control Board has been regularly assessing point sources of pollution.
However, similar assessment needs to be undertaken for non-point sources, as their
magnitude is quite significant. Due to the fast growth of urban population and
inadequate arrangements for collection and disposal of liquid and solid waste
generated, large application of chemicals in agriculture, fast industrialization
results in indiscriminate disposal of wastes. All these activities contribute
the non-point pollution into both surface run-off and groundwater. CPCB in collaboration
with Punjab Pollution Control Board has taken up a pilot study to assess non-point
sources of pollution in Ludhiana city. It was revealed
that indiscriminate disposal of waste is the major source of non-point source
of pollution. Increased application of agro-chemicals, both fertilizers and pesticides,
are also important non-point sources of pollution. Increased irrigation also results
in gradual building up of salts in the agriculture, which increase the salinity
in groundwater and ultimately surface water. There is an urgent need to frame
a policy on prevention and control of non-point sources of pollution. Revised
Water Quality Criteria The Water (Prevention and Control
of Pollution) Act envisaged restoration and maintenance of "wholesomeness" of
aquatic resources. The Central Pollution Control Board had earlier defined the
"wholesomeness" of water in terms of selected water quality criteria parameters
to protect different human uses of water. Over the years, there has been increase
in diversity of pollution problems posing technical difficulties in implementing
these criteria. To review the water quality criteria, CPCB set up an Expert Group.
Based on deliberations of and interactions with the State Pollution Control Board,
the following decisions have been taken: - A set of water quality criteria
developed as basic water quality criteria applicable to all water bodies in the
country.
- Existing use based water quality criteria are retained but elaborated
to include more parameters.
- A separate set of water quality criteria
designed for groundwater in the country.
- For involving larger groups
of people in water quality monitoring, a set of simple parameters have been identified
-
Scientific rationale is incorporated to avoid difficulties in implementation.
-
Responsibilities of concerned agencies have been identified for water quality
management.
Pollution Assessment - River Kosi A
study was undertaken with the objective to assess the extent of pollution and
monitoring of the river, starting from the origin till its confluence with River
Ramganga to know the sources responsible for the same. The river originates from
village Budha Peenath, Kausani of Distt. Almora (U.P.) and up to Ramnagar , Distt.
Nainital. The river is not subjected to any significant source of pollution and
the quality of river water meets the criteria designated for `A` class use. At
Ramnanagar the major portion of city sewage is discharged into the river, the
quality afterwards deteriorates slightly. After Ramnagar, the river flows through
the outskirts of the city - Kashipur and the river becomes highly polluted due
to huge and contaminated discharge from several highly polluting industries including
Paper Mills, Sugar and Distillery. The river water becomes dark coloured. Here
the quality of river water matches with the criteria for `D` class use of water.
Afterwards the river is not subjected to any significant source of pollution.
The total length of the river is around 250 kms. The water quality profile of
the river water may be categorised as follows- -Origin to u/s of Ramnagar -
`A` Class -D/s of Ramnagar to u/s of Kashipur - `B` Class -D/s of Kashipur
till confluence - `D` Class with River Ramganga (A
class - drinking water source without conventional treatment but after disinfection,
B class - outdoor bathing organised, C class - drinking water source with conventional
treatment followed by disinfection, D class - propagation of wildlife, fisheries
and E class - irrigation, industrial cooling, controlled waste disposal)
There is a need to treat the industrial effluents upto desired
level by the concerned industries and also the treatment / diversion of sewage
at Ramnagar. The release of discharges from the barrages at Ramnagar and Lalpur
are to be maintained as per norms. Important activities in water quality
monitoring and pollution control - Revised guidelines for water
quality criteria/standards formulated
- Report on "Brahmaputra basin" prepared
and printed
- Report on "Assessment of Environmental Quality of River in
Eastern Region" prepared
- Regular AQC exercises carried out for 20 parameters
covering 101 laboratories, which include laboratories participating in water quality
monitoring programme of CPCB and EPA recognised labs
- A study on development
of PCB analysis methodology for water and sediments initiated
- Water Quality
monitoring of river Yamuna at 15 locations from Hathnikund to Chambal river confluence
and monitoring of 12 major drains joining Yamuna was continued. The samples are
analysed for physico-chemical parameters, pesticides and heavy metals
-
Performance study of four sewage treatment plants - Sen Nursing Home, Delhi; Faridabad;
Ballabhgarh and Gurgaon was conducted
Performance of STPs Under
GAP-I and their Impact on River Water Quality Intensive
performance monitoring of all the STPs commissioned under Ganga Action Plan Phase-I
in the state of Uttar Pradesh and their overall impact on water quality of the
river(s) is being carried out at frequency of at least once in three months. In
all 12 STPs namely Haridwar (18 MLD), Rishikesh/Lakkerghat (6 MLD), Swargasram
(0.32 MLD), Fatehgarh (2.7 MLD), Kanpur (5 MLD, 36 MLD & 130 MLD), Varanasi
(BHU-8 MLD, DLW -12 MLD and Dinapur- 80 MLD), Mirzapur (14 MLD) & Allahabad
(60 MLD) and the quality of River Ganga before and after confluence of the sewage
were monitored. 
The salient findings are as follows: - High coliform
content observed in untreated and treated wastewater
- Due to interrupted
power supply/regular load shedding and lack of DG sets, untreated wastewater from
pumping stations directly discharged to the river.
- Water quality of river
does not conform to ‘C’ category of Designated Best Use classification
Impact Assessment of Immersion of Ganesha Idols in Bangalore As
a part of final ritual of Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, the clay idols of Ganesha,
along with flowers, banana leaves, coconuts etc. are immersed in various water
bodies, resulting in alarming increase in pollution levels in the water bodies.
In Bangalore, the idols are immersed in lakes, subsequently endangering the aquatic
flora & fauna. It was observed that a total of 3051 idols in Sankey Tank,
3890 in Ulsoor Lake, 642 in Lalbagh Lake and 962 idols in Yediyur Lake were immersed.
The analytical results of the water samples indicate that pH
varied between 7.3 to 7.6 in the lakes. There was a substantial increase in total
dissolved solids and during the immersion the iron content increased manifold
in all the lakes. Traces of copper, chromium and zinc were also found in water
samples after the immersion. | 
