Groundwater in Katni district of Madhya Pradesh meets safety standards for fluoride contamination, with all 16 monitored locations showing levels within permissible limits, the government told Parliament on December 4. However, testing in two neighboring districts revealed elevated nitrate levels in some samples.
“Fluoride concentrations at all the 16 monitored locations in Katni district of Madhya Pradesh are within the BIS permissible limit of 1.5 mg/L,” Raj Bhushan Choudhary, Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti, said in a written response to the Lok Sabha.
Fluoride Levels Within Safe Limits
The statement addresses concerns raised by Vishnu Datt Sharma, a member of Parliament, about potential fluoride contamination in Katni district as reported in recent groundwater quality assessments.
The Central Ground Water Board generates quality data across India through its monitoring program and scientific studies. The board follows approved standard operating procedures to assess water safety on a regional scale.
According to Choudhary, groundwater in India remains largely safe for drinking, with contaminants appearing only in isolated pockets. The government has provided safe drinking water to all habitations in Katni district through the Jal Jeevan Mission.
“As per the information available on JJM dashboard, there are no quality affected habitations left in Katni district of Madhya Pradesh as provision of safe drinking water has been made for all habitations under the District,” the minister stated.
Nitrate Contamination in Neighboring Districts
Testing in Panna district painted a different picture for nitrate contamination. The Central Ground Water Board analyzed 31 groundwater samples for basic parameters in the district. Four samples exceeded the permissible limit of 45 mg/L for nitrate, representing nearly 13 percent of all samples tested.
In Chhatarpur district, which includes the tourist destination of Khajuraho, authorities tested 16 samples. One sample showed nitrate levels above safe limits, accounting for 6.25 percent of samples analyzed.
Both districts showed no fluoride or arsenic contamination in the tested samples. The board analyzed two samples in Panna and one in Chhatarpur for trace parameters including arsenic, which can cause serious health problems when consumed over time.
Jal Jeevan Mission Expands Coverage
The Jal Jeevan Mission operates across India in partnership with state governments to deliver contamination-free tap water to rural households. The program aims to provide adequate water quantities meeting Bureau of Indian Standards specifications on a regular basis.
More than 2,180 water quality testing laboratories now function across the country. These facilities enable early detection of contaminated drinking water sources so authorities can provide safe alternatives immediately.
“Water safety has been one of the key priorities under the JJM and BIS:10500 standards have been adopted as prescribed norms for quality of tap water service delivery,” Choudhary explained.
The Central Ground Water Board recently updated its monitoring procedures to improve efficiency. The new Standard Operating Procedure includes more frequent and denser sampling in vulnerable areas where contamination risks are higher.
The board shares quality data through annual reports, half-yearly bulletins, and fortnightly alerts. This allows stakeholders to take quick action when problems are identified.
State governments hold primary responsibility for addressing groundwater contamination and providing safe drinking water, as water management falls under state jurisdiction. The central government supports these efforts through various programs and initiatives.
Interim Measures and Long-Term Solutions
States have been advised to install community water purification plants in areas with quality concerns. These plants serve as interim measures to ensure safe water access while permanent solutions are developed.
The government also promotes artificial recharge activities to improve groundwater quality. These include the Jal Shakti Abhiyan campaign, Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari initiative, Atal Bhujal Yojana, and schemes under PMKSY and MGNREGS.
Surface water contamination contributes to groundwater pollution problems. The government has installed sewage treatment plants and effluent treatment plants while improving sewage networks across the country.
The National Mission for Clean Ganga and National River Conservation Plan work to improve water quality along major river stretches. These programs aim to reduce pollution that can seep into groundwater supplies.
The National Aquifer Mapping Programme gives special attention to groundwater quality during its studies, helping authorities identify problem areas before contamination becomes widespread.
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