Current Affair 1:

 

News:

This report presents the findings from the nationwide groundwater quality monitoring exercise based on a standardized methodology, following the newly established Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB).

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of groundwater quality of India through background monitoring, trend analysis and hotspot identification.

 Drinking Water Evaluation:

A key component of the study is the comparison of measured water quality parameters with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for drinking water quality.

Key highlights mentioned in PIB:

1. In terms of cation chemistry, calcium dominates the ion content, followed by sodium and potassium. For anions, bicarbonate is the most prevalent, followed by chloride and sulphate. This indicates that overall water in the country is of Calcium-Bicarbonate type.
2. Some regions face sporadic contamination of nitrates, fluoride, and arsenic.
3. Seasonal trends observed in parameters like Electrical Conductivity (EC) and fluoride provide evidence of positive monsoon recharge effects, which improve water quality.
4. From an agricultural perspective, the analysis of Sodium Adsorption Ration (SAR) and Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC) reinforces the generally favorable suitability of groundwater for irrigation, with over 81% of samples meeting safe thresholds. However, localized issues of high sodium content and RSC values demand targeted interventions to prevent long-term soil degradation.
5. 100% of ground water samples in North-Eastern States are in excellent category for irrigation.

<< Previous Next >>