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 million
Coordinates 80 4’ and 3706’ North latitudes
6807’ and 97025 East longitudes
Climate Tropical (Tropic of cancer divides India
two halves)
Land Frontier 15,200 km
Coastline 7,500 km
No.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 percent
BCM
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.
 Parameters for National Water Quality Monitoring
Core Parameters (9) Field Observations (7)
pH Weather
Temperature Approximate depth of main stream/depth of water table
Conductivity Colour and instensity
Dissolved Oxygen Odor
Biochemical Oxygen Visible efluent discharge
Demand
Nitrate-N Human activities around station
Nitrite-N Station detail
Faecal Coliform
Total Coliform Bio-Monitoring Parameters (3)
Saprobity Index
General Parameters (19) Diversity Index
COD Chloride P/R Ratio
TKN Sulphate
Ammonia Total Alkalinity Trace Metals (9)
Total Dissolved Solids P-Alkalinity Arsenic Nickel Copper Mercury Chromium Total
Total Fixed Solids Phosphate Cadmium Zinc Lead Iron Total
Total Suspended Solids Sodium
Turbidity Potassium
Pesticide (7)
Hardness Calcium
Fluoride Magnesium BHC(Total) Dieldrin Carbamate 2.4 D
Boron DDT(Total) Aldrin Endosulphan
 Objective of Water Quality Monitoring
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.

 CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF MONITORING STATIONS
River/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.
 Water Quality Criteria
Designated best use Class Criteria
Drinking water source A *Total coliform organisms MPN/100ml shall be 50 or less.
without conventional
*pH between 6.5 and 8.5
treatment but after
disinfections *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 C *Total coliform organisms MPN/ 100ml shall be 5000 or
conventional treatment less
followed by disinfection
*pH between 6 and 9
*Dissolved oxygen 4 mg/l or more
*Biochemical oxygen demand 3 mg/l or less
Propagation of wild life, D *pH between 6.5 and 8.5
fisheries
*Dissolved oxygen 4 mg/l or more
*Free ammonia (as N) 1.2 mg/l or less
Irrigation, industrial cooling, E *pH between 6.0 and 8.5
controlled waste disposal
*Electrical conductivity less than 2250 micro mhos/cm
*Sodium absorption ratio less than 26
*Boron less than 2mg/l
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.
Constraints in Maintaining the Network
 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.
Limitations of Monitoring Programme
 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.
Water body-wise & Frequency-wise Distribution
of Water Quality Monitoring Stations
HALF
STATE RIVER WELL LAKE OTHER TOTAL MONTHLY
YEARLY
QUARTERLY 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

HALF
STATE RIVER WELL LAKE OTHER TOTAL MONTHLY
YEARLY
QUARTERLY 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
 RIVER BASIN WISE DISTRIBUTION OF WATER QUALITY MONITORING STATIONS
Baitarni (5) 5
Brahmani (11)
16
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), 31
Mora Bharali (1), Teesta (4), Dickhu (1), Maney (2), Ranchu (2)
Cauvery (20)
36
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), 127
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 28
(1)
Indus
Tributaries-Beas (18), Chenab (1), Jhelum (3), Larji (1), Parvati (1), Ravi (3), Sutlej (21), Tawi (1), Gawkadal (1), Chuntkol (1), Sirsa 55
(3), Swan (1)
Krishna (19)
Tributaries- Bhadra (3), Bhima (10), (Ghataprabha (2), Malprabha (3), Muneru (1), Musi (2), Nira (1), Paleru (1), Tunga (1), 54
Tungabhadra (6), Panchganga (3), Chandrabhaga (2)
Mahi (9)
11
Tributaries-Anas (1), Panam (1)
Mahanadi (18)
38
Tributaries-Ib (4), Hasdeo (2), Kathajodi (1), Kharoon (4), Kuakhai (2), Sheonath (3), Birupa (1), Arpa (1), Kelo (2)
Narmada (14)
15
Tributaries-Chhota Tawa (1)

Contd. On Next Page

 Contd. From Pre-Page

Pennar (5) 5
Sabarmati (6)
8
Tributaries- Shedhi (1), Khari (1)
Subarnerekha (6) 6
Tapi (11)
14
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),
117
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),
61
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,
25
Creeks (3), Agra Canal (1), Agartala Canal (1), Gurgaon Canal (1), Western Yamuna Canal (9), Drains (10)
Groundwater 218
Total 870
 Water Quality in Indian Rivers - 2002
Observed Range of Water Quality Parameters
Length
River Name No. of Stns.
(km) Temp. Conductivity DO BOD COD Total Coliform Faecal Coliform
0C pH
(mhos/cm) (mg/l) (mg/l) (mg/l) (MPN/100 ml) (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 QUALTIY STATUS & TREND FROM 1994 TO 2004
100

15 27

15

15 18

15 19
16

16 25

17 23

16

16 25

19 21

19 17
80

28
27

27
60 BOD >6
40 BOD 3-6

67

66
64
60

60
58

59

59
57

57

57
BOD<3
20
0
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

100

14

9
17

18

20

20

20
22

22

22
23

28
80

36
36

37

33

34
32

36

33

34
37

60 TC>5000

40 TC 500-5000

63
50
46

47

47

46
45

44

45

44
TC<500
40

20

0
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

100
7
12
13

13

14

14

14
17

17
19

20
26

80
22

23
27

29

27
28
28

24
35
35

60 FC>5000
FC 500-5000
40
67

65

63
60

FC<500
59

59
58
56
55

48
46

20

0
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
 WATER QUALITY STATUS

Analysis of 11 years data with respect to BOD values as

indicator of organic pollution

S. Level of Pollution Riverine Riverine

No Pollution Criteria length, length
Km. percentage
01. Severely BOD more 6086 15
polluted than 6 mg/l
02. Moderately BOD 3-6 8691 19
polluted mg/l
03. Relatively BOD less 30242 66
clean than 3 mg/l
 Total riverine length under different
levels of pollution in India
Severely polluted Severely
Moderatly polluted polluted
Relatively clean 15%

Moderatly
polluted
19%

Relatively
clean
66%
 State-wise Riverine length (in Km) under
different level of pollution
Bio Chemical Oxygen Demand, mg/L
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
 State-wise Riverine length (in Km) under
different level of pollution (contd.)

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

Bio Chemical Oxy g en Demand, mg /L

Riv er Bas in >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

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

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

TOTAL:- 6086 8691 30266 45043

 River basin-wise riverine length under
different level of pollution
14000

12000 BOD <3 mg/L

BOD 3-6 mg/L
10000 BOD >6 mg/L
Riverine length, Km

8000

6000

4000

2000

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 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