Maharashtra records fall in polluted water

At a time when much ink is being spilled on deteriorating air and water quality in the state, there is some respite in the knowledge that water-contaminated habitations in the state have plunged by 42 per cent in comparison to last year, according to recently concluded state data.

2015 data shows that there has been an almost 42 per cent fall in number of contaminated habitations in the state. In 2014, over 239,739 habitations had contaminated groundwater whereas in 2015, only 138,056 habitations had contaminated groundwater.

As per data from the Water Supply and Sanitation Department, in 2014, a total 22 households were identified as vulnerable to arsenic contamination in drinking water whereas last year, not a single household in the state was identified in that category. “Samples of drinking water are tested at authorised water testing laboratories to find out contamination. Five components are tested- arsenic, fluoride, iron, salinity and nitrate. All lab results show that there has been a fall in the level of all these chemicals,” said an officer from the department.

In reply to a Rajya Sabha question, Union Minister for Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ram Kripal Yadav, said that in Maharashtra, there are a total 139 sub-divisional laboratories and 44 district laboratories for water testing. The state government is now installing community water purification plants in arsenic and fluoride affected habitations as instructed by the central government. This will help produce 8-10 lpcd safe water usable for drinking and cooking.

Doctors have warned that prolonged consumption of contaminated water with arsenic or nitrate can have an adverse impact on people, especially children. “It can damage body organs like kidneys, liver, bone marrow and other organs. It can also impact the health of the foetus in a pregnant woman. Further consumption can also lead to cancer among people,” said Dr Pushpa Gawade, a general physician.