Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) generates ground water quality data on a regional scale from various scientific studies and from ground water quality monitoring throughout the country. These studies indicate the occurrence of arsenic beyond the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) permissible limits in isolated pockets in certain parts of the country. Arsenic has been reported from certain points of 221 districts in 25 States/UTs. Further, State-wise details of partly affected districts with arsenic contaminant in ground water are given at Annexure I. State-wise and district-wise number of affected habitations is given at Annexure-II.

Information regarding number of people affected due to groundwater contamination is not maintained by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India. However, contamination in drinking water sources in rural areas is monitored by the Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation, habitation-wise. As reported by States, as on 01.04.2022 and as on 07.12.2022, district-wise details of habitations having arsenic contamination in drinking water sources are given at Annexure-II.

Water being a State subject, initiatives for water management, including providing potable drinking water is primarily States’ responsibility. However, various steps have been taken by the Central Government in this regard.

Government of India is implementing Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) – Har Ghar Jal, since August, 2019, in partnership with States, to make provision of potable tap water supply in adequate quantity, of prescribed quality and on regular & long-term basis to every rural household by 2024. Water safety has been one of the key priorities under the JJM since its inception.

Under JJM, while planning for potable water supply to household through tap water connection, priority is given to quality-affected habitations. Since, planning, implementation and commissioning of piped water supply scheme based on a safe water source takes time, purely as an interim measure, States/ UTs have been advised to install community water purification plants (CWPPs) especially in arsenic and fluoride affected habitations to provide potable water to every household at the rate of 8–10 litre per capita per day (lpcd) to meet their drinking and cooking requirements. State-wise, district-wise details of habitations covered with CWPP are given at Annexure-II.

Data on ground water quality available with CGWB are periodically being shared with concerned State Governments for taking necessary remedial measures. Successful contamination-free wells created for exploration of groundwater are handed over to the States for gainful utilization.

Under the National Aquifer Mapping Programme (NAQUIM) of CGWB, special attention is being given to ground water quality including contamination by toxic substances such as arsenic. Further, under NAQUIM, arsenic safe deeper aquifer zones have been identified and wells have been constructed tapping the arsenic safe deeper aquifers using innovative cement sealing technique. So far, 513 exploratory wells tapping arsenic safe aquifers have been constructed, including 40 in Bihar, 188 in West Bengal and 285 in Uttar Pradesh. In addition, the innovative cement sealing technique of CGWB has been shared with the State agencies for suitable use.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Shri Bishweswar Tudu  in a  written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

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AS

ANNEXURE-I

States Wise Details of Partly Affected Districts with Arsenic Contaminant in Ground Water of India

ANNEXURE-II

District-wise details of habitations having Arsenic contamination in drinking water sources

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