Groundwater Contamination and Chronic Illnesses: A Detailed Analysis for UPSC Aspirants
By Suryavanshi IAS
Introduction
Groundwater sustains over 85% of rural drinking water and 65% of India’s irrigation needs. However, increasing contamination from nitrates, heavy metals, industrial waste, and geogenic toxins like fluoride and arsenic has turned this lifeline into a major public health threat. The 2024 Annual Groundwater Quality Report by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) exposes how groundwater pollution is fuelling chronic illnesses across India.
UPSC Syllabus Mapping
General Studies Paper I
Distribution of key natural resources
General Studies Paper II
Government policies and interventions
Issues relating to health
General Studies Paper III
Environmental pollution and degradation
Disaster management
Science and Technology in everyday life
Groundwater Contaminants and Health Impacts
1. Nitrate Contamination
Cause: Chemical fertilizers, septic tanks
Health Impact: Blue baby syndrome (methemoglobinemia), gastrointestinal issues
Prevalence: 20% of 15,000+ samples; 56% of districts exceed safe limits
2. Fluoride
Source: Geogenic, worsened by over-extraction
Health Impact: Dental and skeletal fluorosis
States Affected: Rajasthan, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh
Statistics: 66 million affected; up to 52.3% fluoride contamination in some districts
3. Arsenic
Cause: Natural, worsened by mining and groundwater overuse
Health Impact: Cancer, skin lesions, gangrene, organ failure
Hotspots: Gangetic belt (UP, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam)
Notable Cases: Ballia (UP) - 200 µg/L; WHO limit is 10 µg/L
4. Uranium
Source: Fertilizers, unregulated withdrawal
Health Impact: Nephrotoxicity, chronic organ damage
Key Region: Punjab (Malwa region)
5. Heavy Metals (Lead, Chromium, Mercury)
Cause: Industrial discharge
Impact: Developmental delays, immune issues, anemia
Affected Areas: Kanpur, Vapi
6. Microbial Contamination
Cause: Leaking septic tanks, sewage
Health Risks: Cholera, Hepatitis A/E, dysentery
Institutional and Policy Gaps
Outdated Legal Framework: Water Act (1974) lacks groundwater-specific provisions
Weak Enforcement: CGWB lacks statutory authority
Poor Coordination: Overlap among CGWB, CPCB, SPCBs, Jal Shakti Ministry
Inadequate Monitoring: Sparse and non-transparent data
Over-extraction: Depletes aquifers and intensifies contamination
Case Studies for GS Mains
Budhpur (UP): 13 deaths from kidney failure linked to paper mill discharge
Paikarapur (Odisha): 500+ residents fell ill due to sewage-contaminated groundwater
Jhabua (MP): 40% of tribal children affected by skeletal fluorosis
Ballia (UP): 10,000+ cancer cases linked to arsenic
Way Forward: Reforms and Recommendations
Groundwater Pollution Control Framework: Legally empower CGWB
Modern Monitoring Systems: Real-time sensors, early-warning integration with health data
Health Interventions: Screening and treatment in high-risk zones
Decentralised Waste Management: Upgrade rural sanitation
Public Awareness Campaigns: Community involvement in groundwater protection
Regulation of Industrial Discharges: Strict pollution control norms and penalties
UPSC Previous Year Questions (Last 8 Years)
Prelims:
2020: Question on nitrate contamination in groundwater
2019: Fluoride-related health impacts
2018: Sources of arsenic in drinking water
Mains:
GS Paper III (2023): "Discuss the challenges associated with groundwater contamination in India and suggest sustainable solutions."
GS Paper II (2021): "Examine the effectiveness of India’s water governance framework."
GS Paper I (2019): "Discuss the spatial distribution and quality concerns of India’s groundwater resources."
Conclusion
India’s groundwater crisis has transitioned from a quantity issue to a quality emergency. It threatens not just public health, but food security, economic productivity, and ecological stability. For UPSC aspirants, understanding the scientific, regulatory, and social dimensions of this issue is critical to answering both Prelims and Mains effectively.
Keywords for UPSC: Groundwater pollution, fluorosis, arsenic, nitrates, Water Act 1974, CGWB, CPCB, Jal Shakti, environmental health, public health policy, sustainable groundwater management, blue baby syndrome
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