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Air Pollution

Water Pollution

Monitoring Network

CPCB in collaboration with concerned SPCBs/PCCs established a nationwide network of water quality monitoring comprising 1019 stations in 27 States and 6 Union Territories. The monitoring is done on monthly or quarterly basis in surface waters and on half yearly basis in case of ground water. The monitoring network covers 200 Rivers, 60 Lakes, 5 Tanks, 3 Ponds, 3 Creeks, 13 Canals, 17 Drains and 321 Wells. Among the 1019 stations, 592 are on rivers, 65 on lakes, 17 on drains, 13 on canals, 5 on tanks, 3 on creeks, 3 on ponds and 321 are groundwater stations.

Presently the inland water quality-monitoring network is operated under a three-tier programme i.e. Global Environment Monitoring System (GEMS), Monitoring of Indian National Aquatic Resources System (MINARS) and Yamuna Action Plan (YAP). Water samples are being analysed for 28 parameters consisting of 9 core parameters, 19 other physico-chemical and bacteriological parameters apart from the field observations. Besides this, 9 trace metals and 22 pesticides are also analysed in selected samples. Biomonitoring is also carried out on specific locations. In view of limited resources, limited numbers of organic pollution related parameters are monitored i.e. micro pollutants (Toxic Metals & POPs) are analysed once in a year to assess the water quality. The water quality data are reported in Water Quality Status Year Book.

State wise and water body wise Distribution of Water Quality Monitoring Stations

STATE	RIVER	LAKE	TANK	POND	CANAL	CREEK	DRAIN	WELL	TOTAL
ANDHRA PRADESH	28	4	3	-	-	-	-	24	59
ASSAM	17	-	1	1	-	-	-	10	29
BIHAR	16	-	-	-	-	-	-	20	36
CHANDIGARH	-	1	-	-	-	-	3	7	11
CHHATISSGARH	23	-	-	-	-	-	-	4	27
DADRA AND NAGAR HAVELI	2	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	2
DAMAN (ZOV)	2	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	3
DELHI	4	-	-	-	1	-	9	-	14
GOA	10	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	11
GUJARAT	45	11	1	1	-	-	-	26	84
HARYANA	8	2	-	-	11	-	2	-	23
HIMACHAL PRADESH	31	3	-	-	-	-	-	20	54
JAMMU & KASHMIR	7	2	-	-	-	-	-	-	9
JHARKHAND	9	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	9
KARNATAKA	43	2	-	-	-	-	-	-	45
KERALA	30	10	-	-	-	-	-	15	55
LAKSHDWEEP	-	-	-	1	-	-	-	15	16
MADHYA PRADESH	40	3	-	-	-	-	-	6	49
MAHARASHTRA	45	-	-	-	-	3	-	25	73
MANIPUR	11	4	-	-	-	-	-	5	20
MEGHALAYA	5	3	-	-	-	-	-	5	13
MIZORAM	4	-	-	-	-	-	-	2	6
NAGALAND	8	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	8
ORISSA	39	-	-	-	-	-	-	15	54
PONDICHERRY	1	2	-	-	-		-	13	16
PUNJAB	35	2	-	-	-	-	-	6	43
RAJASTHAN	7	7	-	-	-	-	-	37	51
SIKKIM	14	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	14
TAMIL NADU	27	3	-	-	-	-	-	2	32
TRIPURA	3	2	-	-	1	-	-	7	13
UTTAR PRADESH	45	1	-	-	-	-	3	25	74
UTTRANCHAL	13	1	-	-	-	-	-	1	15
WEST BENGAL	20	1	-	-	-	-	-	30	51
TOTAL : -	592	65	5	3	13	3	17	321	1019

Frequency of monitoring

Frequency of monitoring station on surface water bodies such as rivers, lakes, ponds, canals and creeks is either monthly or quarterly whereas the groundwater monitoring stations are monitored on half yearly basis. Three river stations in upper Ganga and Yamuna river are monitored on yearly basis. The frequency of monitoring stations in each State is given in Table .

Frequency of Water Quality Monitoring Stations

STATE	MONTHLY	QUARTERLY	HALF YEARLY	YEARLY	TOTAL
ANDHRA PRADESH	14	21	24	-	59
ASSAM	6	13	10	-	29
BIHAR	8	8	20	-	36
CHANDIGARH	-	4	7	-	11
CHHATISSGARH	7	16	4	-	27
DADRA AND NAGAR HAVELI	1	1	-	-	2
DAMAN (ZOV)	2	-	1	-	3
DELHI	13	1	-	-	14
GOA	10	1	-	-	11
GUJARAT	23	35	26	-	84
HARYANA	3	20	-	-	23
HIMACHAL PRADESH	-	33	20	1	54
JAMMU & KASHMIR	-	9	-	-	9
JHARKHAND	-	9	-	-	9
KARNATAKA	23	22	-	-	45
KERALA	10	30	15	-	55
LAKSHDWEEP	-	1	15	-	16
MADHYA PRADESH	21	22	6	-	49
MAHARASHTRA	27	21	25	-	73
MANIPUR	-	15	5	-	20
MEGHALAYA	-	8	5	-	13
MIZORAM	-	4	2	-	6
NAGALAND	-	8	-	-	8
ORISSA	15	24	15	-	54
PONDICHERRY	-	3	13	-	16
PUNJAB	-	37	6	-	43
RAJASTHAN	4	10	37	-	51
SIKKIM	-	14	-	-	14
TAMIL NADU	20	10	2	-	32
TRIPURA	-	6	7	-	13
UTTAR PRADESH	42	7	25	-	74
UTTRANCHAL	2	9	1	3	15
WEST BENGAL	9	12	30	-	51
TOTAL : -	260	434	321	4	1019

Parameters observed

The water samples are analysed for 9 core parameters and 19 general parameters. The monitoring agencies have also analysed the trace metals at few locations. The list of parameters identified under the National Water Quality Monitoring Programme are given in Table. In the present report data on core parameters is incorporated for interpretation and drawing of conclusion based on primary water quality criteria.

Table : List of Parameters under National Water Quality Monitoring Programme

Core Parameters (9)

Temperature

Conductivity

Dissolved Oxygen

BOD

Nitrate – N

Nitrite – N

Fecal Coliform

Total Coliform

General Parameters (19)

Turbidity, NTU	Sodium, mg/L
Phenophelene Alkalinity, as CaCO₃	Total Dissolved Solids, mg/L
Total Alkalinity, as CaCO₃	Total Fixed Dissolved Solids, mg/L
Chlorides, mg/L	Total suspended Solid, mg/L
COD, mg/L	Phosphate
Total Kjeldahl - N, as N mg/L	Boron, mg/L
Ammonia - N, as N mg/L	Magnesium, as CaCO₃
Hardness, as CaCO₃	Potassium, mg/L
Calcium, as CaCO₃	Fluoride, mg/L
Sulphate, mg/L

Field Observations (7)

Weather

Approximate depth of main stream / depth of water table

Colour and intensity

Odour

Visible effluent discharge

Human activities around station

Station detail

Bio-Monitoring (3)

Saprobity Index

Diversity Index

P/R Ratio

Trace Metals (9)

Arsenic, m g/L	Nickel, m g/L
Cadmium, m g/L	Zinc, m g/L
Copper, m g/L	Mercury, m g/L
Lead, m g/L	Iron (Total) , m g/L
Chromium (Total) , m g/L

Pesticides (7)

BHC (Total), m g/L

DDT (Total), m g/L

Endosulphan, m g/L

Dialdrin, m g/L

Aldrin, m g/L

Carbamate, m g/L

2.4-D, m g/L

River Basin wise distribution of Water Quality Monitoring Stations

The number of water quality monitoring stations on each river, its tributary, sub tributary, lake, ponds, tanks, canals, creeks and on groundwater are summarized in Table

River Basin wise distribution of Water Quality Monitoring Stations

River (main stream), Tributaries and Sub-Tributaries, Lake, Ponds, Tanks, Canals, Creeks and Groundwater Stations	Total Stations
Baitarni (5)	5
Brahmani (11) Tributaries-Karo (1), Koel (2), Sankh (2)	16
Brahmaputra (6) Tributaries-Burhidihing (1), Dhansiri (7), Disang (1), Jhanji (1), Subansiri (1), Bhogdoi (1), Bharalu (1), Borak (1), Deepar Bill (1), Digboi (1), Mora Bharali (1), Teesta (5), Dickhu (1), Maney (2), Ranchu (2), Mahananda (1), Rangit (5)	39
Cauvery (20) Tributaries-Arkavati (1), Amravati (1), Bhawani (5), Kabini (4), Laxmantirtha (1), Shimsa (2), Hemavati (1), Yagachi (1)	36
Ganga (39) Tributaries-Barakar (1), Betwa (3), Chambal (7), Damodar (5), Gandak (1), Saryu-Ghaghra (3), Gomti (5), Hindon (3), Kali (West) (2), Kali Nadi (2), Khan (1), Kshipra (2), Mandakini (Madhya Pradesh) (1), Parvati (3), Ramganga (1), Rapti (1), Rihand (2), Rupanarayan (1), Sai (1), Sone (5), Tons (Madhya Pradesh) (2), Yamuna (23), Sind (1), Johila (1), Sankh(1), Gohad (1), Kolar (1), Sai (1), Churni (1), Tons (Himachal Pradesh) (1), Sikrana (1), Daha (1), Sirsa (1), Dhous (1), Farmer (1)	127
Godavari (11) Tributaries- Manjira (3), Maner (2), Nira (1), Wainganga (4), Wardha (1), Kolar (1), Kanhan (1), Purna (1), Karanja (1), Indravati (2), Sankhani (1), Gandigudem (1)	30
Indus Tributaries-Beas (18), Chenab (1), Jhelum (3), Larji (1), Parvati (1), Ravi (3), Sutlej (21), Tawi (1), Gawkadal (1), Chuntkol (1), Sirsa (3), swan (1)	55
Krishna (19) Tributaries- Bhadra (3), Bhima (10), Ghataprabha (2), Malprabha (3), Muneru (1), Musi (2), Nira (1), Paleru (1), Tunga (1), Tungabhadra (6), Panchganga (3), Chandrabhaga (2)	54
Mahi (9) Tributaries-Anas (1), Panam (1)	11
Mahanadi (18) Tributaries-Ib (4), Hasdeo (2), Kathajodi (1), Kharoon (4), Kuakhai (2), Sheonath (3), Birupa (1), Arpa (1), Kelo (2)	38
Narmada (15) Tributaries-Chhota Tawa (1)	16
Pennar (5)	5
Sabarmati (9) Tributaries-Meswa (1), Shedhi (1), Khari (1)	12
Subarnerekha (6)	6
Tapi (13) Tributaries-Girna (2), Rangavali (1)	16
Medium rivers Ambika (1), Ulhas (2), Ulhas-Bhatsa (1), Ulhas-Kalu (1), Imphal (4), Mandovi (2), Palar (1), Pamba (3), Pariyar (3), Rushikulya (2), Tambiraparani (7), Achankoil (2), Chalakudy (1), Damanganga (6), Ghaggar (21), Kallada (1), Kali-Karnataka (1), Manimala (2), Mindhola (1), Nagavalli (3), Amlakhadi (2), Chaliyar (2), Iril (2), Kharkhala (1), Karmana (1), Kolak (2), Kundalika (1), Meenachil (1), Muvattupuza (1), Patalganga (2), Umtrew (1), Vamanpuram(1), Zuari(2), Gumti(2), Kalna (1),Valvant (1), Madai (1), Khandepar (1), Asanora (1), Bhadar (1), Neyyar (1), Ithikkara (1), Kadalundy (1), Kuttiyady (1), Mahe (1), Kuppum (1), Neelsvaram (1), Karingoda (1), Chandergiri (1), Chitrapuzha (1), Nambul (2), Ganol (1), Simsang (1), Myntdu (1), Arasalar (1), Kodra (1), Haora (1), Khuga (1), Khujairok (1), Sekmai (1), Markanda (2), Sukna (1), Baleshwar Khadi (1), Netravati (1), Kumardhara (1), Purna (1), Kaveri (1), Dhadar (1), Tlawng (2), Tuirial (2)	126
Lakes (65) Hussainsagar (1), Saroornagar (1), Himayatsagar (1), Pulicate (1), Salaulim (1), Kankoria (1), Chandola (1), Ajwah (1), Sursagar (1), Brahamsarovar (1), Sukhna (2), Govindsagar (1), Pongdam (1), Renuka (1), Wuller (1), Dal (1), Ulsoor (1), HebbalaValley (1), Oruvathikotta (1), Sasthamcotta (1), Ashthamudi (1), Paravur (1), Vembanad (1), Periyar (1), Kodumgallor (1), Kayamkula (1), Punnamadakayal (1), Pookotekayal (1), UpperLake (1), LowerLake (1), MultaiLake (1), Loktak (4), Umiam (1), Ward (1), Thadlaskena (1), Osteri (1), Bahour (1), Harike (2), Pichola (1), Udaisagar (1), Ramgarh Jaipur (1), Pushkar (1), Fatehsagar (1), Kalyana (1), Nakki (1), Udhagamadalam (1), Kodaikanal (1), Yercaud (1), Lakshminarayan Baridigh (1), Rudrasagar (1), Ramgarh-UttarPradesh (1), Naini (1), Rabindrasarovar (1), Nalsarovar (1), Bindusaraovar (1), Sahastrling Sarovar (1), Lakhota Talav (1), Narsimehta Talav (1), Nadiad city Lake (1), Ranjitnagar Talav (1) Tanks (5) Dharamsagar (1), Bibinagar (1), Kistrapetrareddy (1), Goysagar (1), Thol (1) Ponds (3) Elangabeel System (1), Lakshadweep (1), Olpad village pond (1),	73
Creeks, Canals and Drains Creeks (3), Agra Canal (1), Gurgaon Canal (1), Western Yamuna Canal (10), Agartala Canal (1), Drains (17)	33
Groundwater	321
Total	1019

Approach to Water Quality Management

The water quality management in India is performed under the provision of Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. The basic objective of this Act is to maintain and restore the wholesomeness of national aquatic resources by prevention and control of pollution. The Act does not define the level of wholesomeness to be maintained or restored in different water bodies of the country. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has tried to define the wholesomeness in terms of protection of human uses, and thus, taken human uses of water as base f or identification of water quality objectives for different water bodies in the country.

It was considered ambitious to maintain or restore all natural water body at pristine level. Planning pollution control activities to attain such a goal is bound to be deterrent to developmental activities and cost prohibitive. Since the natural water bodies have got to be used for various competing as well as conflicting demands, the objective is aimed at restoring and/or maintaining natural water bodies or their parts to such a quality as needed for their best uses.

Thus, a concept of "designated best use" (DBU) was developed. According to this concept, out of several uses a water body is put to, the use which demands highest quality of water, is termed as "designated best use", and accordingly the water body is designated. Primary water quality criteria for different uses have been identified. A summary of the use based classification system is presented in table.

Table : Use based classification of surface waters in India

Designated-Best-Use	Class of water	Criteria
Drinking Water Source without conventional treatment but after disinfection	A	Total Coliforms OrganismMPN/100ml shall be 50 or less pH between 6.5 and 8.5 Dissolved Oxygen 6mg/l or more Biochemical Oxygen Demand 5 days 20oC 2mg/l or Less
Outdoor bathing (Organised)	B	Total Coliforms Organism MPN/100ml shall be 500 or less pH between 6.5 and 8.5 Dissolved Oxygen 5mg/l or more Biochemical Oxygen Demand 5 days 20oC 3mg/l or Less
Drinking water source after conventional treatment and disinfection	C	Total Coliforms Organism MPN/100ml shall be 5000 or less pH between 6 to 9 Dissolved Oxygen 4mg/l or more Biochemical Oxygen Demand 5 days 20oC 3mg/l or Less
Propagation of Wild life and Fisheries	D	pH between 6.5 to 8.5 Dissolved Oxygen 4mg/l or more Free Ammonia (as N) 1.2 mg/l or less
Irrigation, Industrial Cooling, Controlled Waste disposal	E	pH between 6.0 to 8.5 Electrical Conductivity at 25oC micro mhos/cm Max.2250 Sodium absorption Ratio Max. 26 Boron Max. 2mg/l

The entire water resources of the country were classified according to their designated best uses and a "Water Use Map" was prepared. For identification of the water bodies or their parts where water quality is at variance with water quality criteria, it was felt important to measure water quality of that water body or its part. It would help in preparation of "Water Quality Map" of India. The idea was to superimpose "Water Quality Map" on "Water Use Map" to identify the water bodies or their parts, which are in need of improvement (restoration). Subsequently through a wide network of water quality monitoring, water quality data are acquired. A large number of water bodies were identified as polluted stretches for taking appropriate measures to restore their water quality. Today almost all policies and programmes on water quality management are based on this concept including the Ganga Action Plan and National River Action Plans.