Water Quality Management in

India

R.M.Bhardwaj

Central Pollution Control Board(Ministry of Environment & Forests)‘Parivesh Bhawan', East Arjun Nagar

Delhi – 110 032

E-mail : scrmb.cpcb@nic.in, rmbdelhi@yahoo.co.in

India at a Glance

Area

3.28 million sq km (2% of world’s total )Population(2001)

1020 million(16% of world’s total) (2005)

1060 millionCoordinates

80 4’ and 3706’ North latitudes

6807’ and 97025 East longitudesClimate

Tropical (Tropic of cancer divides India

two halves)Land Frontier

15,200 kmCoastline

7,500 kmNo.of States/UTs

28 States and 7 Union territories

including the National Capital Region of

Delhi.

Water is Precious and scarce Resource

• India is one of the wettest country in the world, but rainfall is highly uneven with time and space (with extremely low in Rajasthan and high in North-East)

• On an average there are only 40 rainy days (100 hours)

• Out of 4000 BCM rainfall received, about 600 BCM is put to use so far.

• Water resources are over-exploited resulting in major WQ problems

Water use in India (Year 2000)

Sector Water use in BCM

percent

Irrigation 541 85.33

Domestic 42 6.62

Industry 8 1.26

Energy 2 0.32

Other 41 6.47

Total 634 100.00

NATIONAL WATER QUALITY MONITORING PROGRAMME

• Water quality monitoring in India started in 1978 under GEMS Programme.

• National programme of Monitoring of Indian National Aquatic Resources started in 1984 with a total of 120 stations in 10 River Basins.

• Present network comprising of 870 stations extended to 26 states & 5 Union Territories.

• Monitoring done or Quarterly/Monthly/Half Yearly basis.

• Monitoring network covers 189 Rivers, 53 Lakes, 4 Tanks, 2 Ponds, 3 Creeks, 3 Canals, 9 Drains and 218 wells.

• Water samples are analysed for 9 Core Parameters (pH, Temperature, Conductivity, DO, BOD, Nitrite, Nitrate, Total Coliform and Faecal Coliform) for all monitoring. 19 General Parameters, 9 Toxic Metals and 15 Pesticides are also analysed once in a year.

• Frequency of analysis for General Parameters reduced to once in a year in view of resources and to add more stations in non-represented water-bodies. Frequency and Parameters does not match the guidelines of GEMS. Base-line, Trend and Impact stations are maintained as per the guidelines of GEMS.

YEAR-WISE GROWTH OF MONITORING NETWORK18 29 43 67 73 74 89

120

136 16

8 200

310

400 45

0 480

480

480

480

480

480 50

7

507

507

784

784

784

784

870

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

-------------> Y E A R <-----------

pH

Temperature

Conductivity

Dissolved Oxygen

Biochemical Oxygen DemandNitrate-N

Nitrite-N

Faecal Coliform

Total Coliform

COD Chloride

TKN Sulphate

Ammonia Total Alkalinity

Total Dissolved Solids P-Alkalinity

Total Fixed Solids Phosphate

Total Suspended Solids Sodium

Turbidity Potassium

Hardness Calcium

Fluoride Magnesium

Boron

Weather

Approximate depth of main stream/depth of water table

Colour and instensity

Odor

Visible efluent discharge

Human activities around station

Station detail

Saprobity Index

Diversity Index

P/R Ratio

Arsenic Nickel Copper Mercury Chromium Total

Cadmium Zinc Lead Iron Total

BHC(Total) Dieldrin Carbamate 2.4 D

DDT(Total) Aldrin Endosulphan

Parameters for National Water Quality Monitoring

Core Parameters (9)

General Parameters (19)

Field Observations (7)

Bio-Monitoring Parameters (3)

Trace Metals (9)

Pesticide (7)

For rational planning of pollution control strategies and their prioritisation;

To assess nature and extent of pollution control needed in different water bodies or their part;

To evaluate effectiveness of pollution control measures already in existence;

To evaluate water quality trend over a period of time;

To assess assimilative capacity of a water body thereby reducing cost on pollution control;

To understand the environmental fate of different pollutants.

To assess the fitness of water for different uses.

Objective of Water Quality Monitoring

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF MONITORING STATIONSRiver/Stream• Water intake point - community water supply.• Large/medium polluting industries or cluster of SSI.• Religious bathing.• Source of river – pristine quality.• Filling up long distance between existing stations.• D/S of large irrigated areas.• Low flow stretches.• D/S of big cities.• U/S and D/S of confluence of rivers.• Inter-state boundaries.

Lake/Reservior/Pond/Tank• Water abstraction point.• Organised bathing.• Vicinity of significant outfall.• Recreational purpose.

Canal• Irrigation offtake.• D/S of wastewater outfall.• Intake point – drinking water.

Groundwater• Drinking water source located in insanitary condition – sewage cesspool, septic tank,

garbage dump, shallow aquifer.• Tube-wells, hand-pumps or dugwells in industrial area.

Designated best use Class Criteria

Drinking water source without conventional treatment but after disinfections

A *Total coliform organisms MPN/100ml shall be 50 or less.

*pH between 6.5 and 8.5

*Dissolved oxygen 6 mg/l or more

*Biochemical oxygen demand 2 mg/l or Less

Outdoor bathing (organised) B *Total coliform organisms MPN/100ml shall be 500 or less

*pH between 6.5 and 8.5

*Dissolved oxygen 5 mg/l or more

*Biochemical oxygen demand 3 mg/l or Less

Drinking water source with conventional treatment followed by disinfection

C *Total coliform organisms MPN/ 100ml shall be 5000 or less

*pH between 6 and 9

*Dissolved oxygen 4 mg/l or more

*Biochemical oxygen demand 3 mg/l or less

Propagation of wild life, fisheries

D *pH between 6.5 and 8.5

*Dissolved oxygen 4 mg/l or more

*Free ammonia (as N) 1.2 mg/l or less

Irrigation, industrial cooling, controlled waste disposal

E *pH between 6.0 and 8.5

*Electrical conductivity less than 2250 micro mhos/cm

*Sodium absorption ratio less than 26

*Boron less than 2mg/l

Water Quality Criteria

Outcome of National Monitoring Programme Every year a compendium of water quality statistics is published and

circulated to various scientific institutes and processed data is put on the web site for easy access.

Basin sub basin Inventory of water pollution is prepared and published for all the major river basins in the country.

Water quality atlas is prepared to assess the fitness of river water for desired uses in the country.

Water quality data is used for Identification of Polluted Water Bodies based on violation of desired water quality criteria for designated uses.

Water quality data formed the basis for Formulation of River Action Plan and Identification of Pollution Sources in 157 cities for interception and diversion of municipal wastewater and stricter surveillance of industrial sources.

Water quality data is used for Query Response i.e. to reply Parliament Questions, VIP reference, Public Queries, Public Interest Litigation filed in Supreme Court and Various High Courts and to fulfill the requirement of Non Governmental Organisation, Students, and Researchers.

Providing data to GEMS Programme on Water on annual basis for 72 stations for global data base.

Sustainability of infrastructure and maintenance of instruments and equipments.

Financial as well as Manpower resources are inadequate and reducing due to policy shift.

Travel to long distances for monitoring and preservation of samples in warm weather conditions adversely affect the results.

Analysis results needs in-depth validation and repeated interaction with laboratories.

Improper reporting of units, variation in analysis methods and quality control of chemicals are cause of concern.

Lack of training for laboratory and field staff. Lack of software to analyse the data for trend analyses and

data validation.

Constraints in Maintaining the Network

Problems in data validation due to fluctuation in water quality.

Flow in many rivers dwindles due to short period of monsoon.

Environmental flows are not maintained, hence only urban wastewater flows in the rivers after major abstraction points.

Removal of outliers during validation of data may devoid valuable information related to flushing of Industrial effluents responsible for episodal pollution and fish kill.

Need of software for processing, validation/trend analyses and format data storage.

Priorities for water quality management varies widely from developed countries to developing countries.

Limitations of Monitoring Programme

Water body-wise & Frequency-wise Distribution of Water Quality Monitoring Stations

STATE RIVER WELL LAKE OTHER TOTAL MONTHLYHALF

YEARLYQUARTERLY YEARLY TOTAL

ANDHRA PRADESH 28 24 4 3 59 14 24 21 - 59

ASSAM 17 10 - 2 29 6 10 13 - 29

BIHAR 16 20 - - 36 8 20 8 - 36

CHHATISSGARH 23 4 - - 27 7 4 16 - 27

DADRA & NAGAR HAVELI 2 - - - 2 1 - 1 - 2

DAMAN 2 1 - - 3 2 1 - - 3

DELHI 5 - - 9 14 13 - 1 - 14

GOA 10 - 1 - 11 10 - 1 - 11

GUJARAT 36 3 3 - 42 20 3 19 - 42

HARYANA 8 - 1 10 19 4 - 15 - 19

HIMACHAL PRADESH 31 20 3 - 54 - 20 33 1 54

JAMMU & KASHMIR 7 - 2 - 9 - - 9 - 9

JHARKHAND 9 - - - 9 - - 9 - 9

KARNATAKA 43 - 2 - 45 23 - 22 - 45

KERALA 30 15 10 - 55 10 15 30 - 55

LAKSHDWEEP - 15 - 1 16 - 15 1 - 16

Continued on Next Page ..

.. Continued from Previous Page

STATE RIVER WELL LAKE OTHER TOTAL MONTHLYHALF

YEARLYQUARTERLY YEARLY TOTAL

MADHYA PRADESH 40 5 3 - 48 22 4 22 - 48

MAHARASHTRA 45 - - 3 48 27 - 21 - 48

MANIPUR 8 - 4 - 12 - - 12 - 12

MEGHALAYA 5 5 3 - 13 - 5 8 - 13

NAGALAND 5 - - - 5 - - 5 - 5

ORISSA 39 15 - - 54 15 15 24 - 54

PONDICHERRY 1 7 2 - 10 - 7 3 - 10

PUNJAB 35 6 2 - 43 - 6 37 - 43

RAJASTHAN 7 18 7 - 32 4 18 10 - 32

SIKKIM 9 - - - 9 - - 9 - 9

TAMIL NADU 27 2 3 - 32 20 2 10 - 32

TRIPURA 3 7 2 1 13 - 6 7 - 13

UTTAR PRADESH 45 25 1 1 72 40 25 7 - 72

UTTRANCHAL 13 1 1 - 15 2 1 9 3 15

WEST BENGAL 18 15 1 - 34 9 15 10 - 34

TOTAL : - 567 218 55 30 870 257 216 393 4 870

Baitarni (5) 5

Brahmani (11)

Tributaries-Karo (1), Koel (2), Sankh (2)

Brahmaputra (6)

Tributaries-Burhidihing (1), Dhansiri (6), Disang (1), Jhanji (1), Subansiri (1), Bhogdoi (1), Bharalu (1), Borak (1), Deepar Bill (1), Digboi (1), Mora Bharali (1), Teesta (4), Dickhu (1), Maney (2), Ranchu (2)

Cauvery (20)

Tributaries-Arkavati (1), Amravati (1), Bhawani (5), Kabini (4), Laxmantirtha (1), Shimsa (2), Hemavati (1), Yagichi (1)

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 (3), Mandakini (Madhya Pradesh) (1), Parvati (2), 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)

Godavari (11)

Tributaries- Manjira (2), Maner (2), Nira (I), Wainganga (4), Wardha (1), Kolar (1), Kanhan (1), Purna (1), Karanja (1), Indravati (2), Shankhani (1)

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) 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)Mahi (9)

Tributaries-Anas (1), Panam (1)

Mahanadi (18)

Tributaries-Ib (4), Hasdeo (2), Kathajodi (1), Kharoon (4), Kuakhai (2), Sheonath (3), Birupa (1), Arpa (1), Kelo (2)

Narmada (14)

Tributaries-Chhota Tawa (1)

16

31

36

127

28

55

54

11

38

15

RIVER BASIN WISE DISTRIBUTION OF WATER QUALITY MONITORING STATIONS

Contd. On Next Page

Pennar (5) 5Sabarmati (6)

Tributaries- Shedhi (1), Khari (1)

Subarnerekha (6) 6Tapi (11)

Tributaries-Girna (2), Rangawali (1)

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 (1), 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), 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), Markanda (2), Sukhna (1), Baleshwar Khadi (1), Netravati (1), Kumardhara (1), Purna (1), Kaveri (1), Dhadar (1)

Lakes (55)

Hussainsagar (1), Saroornagar (1), Himayatsagar (1), Pulicate (1), Salaulim (1), Kankoria (1), Ajwah (1), Sursagar (1), Brahamsarovar (1), Govindsagar (1), Pongdam (1), Renuka (1), Wuller (1), Dal (1), Ulsoor (1), Hebbala Valley (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), RamgarhJaipur(1), Pushkar(1), Fatehsagar(1), Kalyana(1), Nakki(1), Udhagamadalam(1), Kodaikanal(1), Yercaud(1), LakshminarayanBaridigh(1), Rudrasagar(1), Ramgarh-UttarPradesh (1), Naini(1), Rabindrasarovar (1)

Tanks (4)

Dharamsagar (1), Bibinagar (1), Kistrapetrareddy (1), Goysagar(1)

Ponds (2)

Elangabeel System (1), Lakshadweep (1)

Creeks, Canals, Tanks, Ponds, Drains,

Creeks (3), Agra Canal (1), Agartala Canal (1), Gurgaon Canal (1), Western Yamuna Canal (9), Drains (10)

Groundwater 218

Total 870

117

61

25

8

14

Contd. From Pre-Page

River NameLength

(km)No. of Stns.

Observed Range of Water Quality Parameters

Temp.0C

pHConductivity(mhos/cm)

DO(mg/l)

BOD(mg/l)

COD(mg/l)

Total Coliform(MPN/100 ml)

Faecal Coliform(MPN/100 ml)

Ganga 2525 34 3-34 6.4-9.0 19-2720 2.7-11.5 0.5 – 16.8 1-30 300-25x105 20-11x105

Yamuna 1376 23 3-34 6.7-9.8 56-1959 0.1-22.7 1.0 – 36 1-112 27-26.3x106 11-17.2x105

Sabarmati 371 8 12-32 2.9-8.6 269-13530 0.6-7.9 0.8 – 475 4-1794 210-28x105 28-28x105

Mahi 583 7 19-34 7.1-9.2 175-5720 0.2-8.5 0.1 – 3.0 9-163 3-2400 3-75

Tapi 724 10 20-40 7.4-9.0 76-700 4.8-8.8 0.6 – 10.0 8-40 40-2100 2-210

Narmada 1312 14 6.9-9.3 102-1341 5.8-9.8 0.1 – 3.8 6-47 9-2400 2-64

Godavari 1465 11 22-35 7.0-9.0 118-1400 3.1-10.9 0.5 – 78.0 3-96 8-5260 2-3640

Krishna 1401 17 18-33 6.8-9.5 28-11050 2.9-10.9 0.2 – 10.0 3-88 17-33300 3-10000

Cauvery 800 20 21-37 2.0-9.2 31-53100 0.1-12.6 0.1 – 26.6 30 39-160000 2-28000

Mahanadi 851 16 18-38 7.3-8.9 114-15940 1.3-10.4 1.0 – 7.6 7-39 15-30000 50-17000

Brahmani 799 11 20-38 7.0-8.4 81-376 5.2-9.8 1.5 – 6.0 8-13 80-90000 40-60000

Baitarni 5 24-36 7.3-8.3 54-78400 6.8-9.3 2.0 – 6.8 7 900-22000 700-11000

Subarnrekha 395 6 18-36 6.5-8.0 113-355 5.2-8.5 0.2 – 12.0 4-96 150-1800 70-540

Brahmaputra 916 6 15-32 6.5-9.0 104-684 1.1-10.5 0.1 – 3.9 6-11 360-240000 300-24000

Pennar 597 4 - 7.5-8.7 364-978 6.0-9.3 1.0 – 2.9 14-16 - -

Satluj 1078 20 9-32 6.8-8.8 131-819 3.8-11.4 0.1 – 45.0 1-80 8-35000 2-3500

Beas 460 19 3-32 7.1-8.7 53-517 5.2-11.5 0.3 – 5.0 1-13 2-2400 2-1600

Water Quality in Indian Rivers - 2002

WATER QUALTIY STATUS & TREND FROM 1994 TO 2004

5827

15

5727

16

5925

16

6023

17

5728

15

5727

16

5925

16

6021

19

6417

19

6718

15

6619

15

0

20

40

60

80

100

1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

BOD >6

BOD 3-6

BOD<3

4037

23

4632

22

4736

17

4537

18

5036

14

6328

9

4733

20

4634

20

4436

20

4533

22

4434

22

0

20

40

60

80

100

1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

TC>5000

TC 500-5000

TC<500

46

35

19

55

28

17

60

27

13

59

29

12

67

26

7

48

35

17

56

24

20

65

22

13

63

23

14

58

28

14

59

27

14

0

20

40

60

80

100

1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

FC>5000

FC 500-5000

FC<500

S.No

Level of Pollution

Pollution Criteria

Riverine length, Km.

Riverine length percentage

01. Severely polluted

BOD more than 6 mg/l

6086 15

02. Moderately polluted

BOD 3-6 mg/l

8691 19

03. Relatively clean

BOD less than 3 mg/l

30242 66

WATER QUALITY STATUS

Analysis of 11 years data with respect to BOD values as indicator of organic pollution

Total riverine length under different levels of pollution in India

Severely polluted

15%

Relatively clean66%

Moderatly polluted

19%

Severely polluted

Moderatly polluted

Relatively clean

State >6 3-6 <3 Total

Jammu & Kashmir 0 0 2291 2291

Himachal Pradesh 19 0 1076 1095

Punjab 70 132 870 1072

Haryana 95 87 167 349

Uttar Pradesh 1180 1966 2473 5619

Rajasthan 76 160 606 842

Madhya Pradesh 365 1157 4569 6091

Bihar 63 126 2337 2526

West Bengal 69 221 874 1164

Orissa 247 1507 473 2227

Andhra Pradesh 361 803 2854 4018

Maharashtra 2721 1706 187 4614

Gujarat 265 185 706 1156

Bio Chemical Oxygen Demand, mg/L

State-wise Riverine length (in Km) under different level of pollution

Karnataka 258 143 2467 2868

Kerala 0 15 1395 1410

Tamil Nadu 269 470 1290 2029

Assam 0 0 2043 2043

Meghalaya 0 0 557 557

Manipur 0 0 759 759

Arunachal Pradesh 0 0 707 707

Sikkim 0 0 754 754

Nagaland 0 0 503 503

Mizoram 0 0 235 235

Goa 0 13 53 66

Delhi 28 0 20 48

T O T A L :- 6086 8691 30266 45043

State-wise Riverine length (in Km) under different level of pollution (contd.)

River Basin >6 3-6 <3 Total

Indus 70 132 3917 4119

Ganga 1760 3612 7318 12690

Bramaputra 0 0 5013 5013

Sabarmati 65 95 165 325

Mahi 70 160 292 522

Narmada 120 360 902 1382

Tapi 160 280 537 977

Subernrekha 90 120 79 289

Brahmini 45 160 380 585

Mahanadi 210 370 1393 1973

Godavari 960 856 2676 4492

Bio Chemical Oxygen Demand, mg/L

River basin-wise Riverine length(in Km.)under different level of pollution

Subernrekha 90 120 79 289

Brahmini 45 160 380 585

Mahanadi 210 370 1393 1973

Godavari 960 856 2676 4492

Krishna 840 956 1988 3784

Pennar 0 80 440 520

Cauvery 70 320 928 1318

Ghaggar 140 148 70 358

Medium 1090 734 3210 5034

Minor 396 308 958 1662

T O T A L : - 6086 8691 30266 45043

River basin-wise Riverine length(in Km.)under different level of pollution (contd..)

River basin-wise riverine length under different level of pollution

0

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

14000

Indu

s

Gan

ga

Bramap

utra

Sabar

mati

Mah

i

Narm

ada

Tapi

Suber

nrek

ha

Brahm

ini

Mah

anad

i

God

avar

i

Krishn

a

Penna

r

Cauve

ry

Gha

ggar

Med

ium

Mino

r

River basin

Riv

eri

ne

len

gth

, Km

BOD <3 mg/L

BOD 3-6 mg/L

BOD >6 mg/L

IDENTIFICATION OF POLLUTED WATER BODIES

• CPCB identified 10 polluted stretches for prioritising pollution control efforts in 1988-89.

• The Number of Stretches increased to 37 during 1992-93.

• The list is now revised to 86 polluted stretches.

• The concerned State Pollution Control Boards were asked to take adequate measures to restore the desired level.

RIVER ACTION PLAN

• CPCB identified polluted water bodies, which leads to formulation of action plan for restoration of the water body.

• Based on CPCB’s Recommendations, Ganga Action Plan was launched in 1986 to restore the WQ of the Ganga by interception, diversion and treatment of wastewater from 27 cities/towns located along the river.

• Based on the experience gained during implementation of the Ganga Action Plan, Govt of India extends river cleaning programme to other rivers and lakes.

NATIONAL RIVER ACTION PLAN

River No. of Towns River No. of Towns

Ganga 74 Brahmini 3

Yamuna 22 Chambal 3

Damodar 12 Gomti 3

Godavari 6 Krishna 2

Cauvery 9 Sabarmati 1

Tungabhadra 4 Khan 1

Satluj 4 Kshipra 1

Subarnrekha 3 Tapi 1

Betwa 3 Narmada 1`

Wainganga 3 Mahanadi 1

Grand Total 157