Parliament Question: Detection of Pollutants in Groundwater

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1841 ANSWERED ON 30.07.2026 DETECTION OF POLLUTANTS IN GROUNDWATER †1841. Shri PATEL UMESHBHAI BABUBHAI: Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is aware that chemicals, heavy metals and industrial pollutants are being detected in groundwater across various areas of UT of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu and if so, the details thereof; (b) the number of locations where water quality testing was conducted in the said UT during the last five years along with the number of samples found non- compliant with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) norms and the specific toxic elements detected therein; (c) whether any proposal is under consideration to declare UT of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu as an “over-exploited and contaminated groundwater area”, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and (d) whether the Government proposes to conduct any special survey in the said UT under the National Aquifer Mapping Programme and if so, the details thereof along with the timeline fixed for the same? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI (SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY) 1(a) & (b) Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) generates groundwater quality data at the regional scale across the country including the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, through its groundwater quality monitoring programme in accordance with the approved Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). The latest Annual Ground Water Quality Report–2025 has been published by CGWB and is available at: https://cgwb.gov.in/cgwbpnm/public/uploads/documents/1762854375262680475 file.pdf As per the Annual Ground Water Quality Report–2025, no groundwater contamination has been reported in the Union Territory. Analysis of groundwater quality data for the period 2021–2025 indicates that groundwater quality was generally compliant with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) drinking water standards, with only localized exceedances of certain parameters. High Electrical Conductivity was observed at one location in Diu during 2022–2024, while exceedance of Fluoride and Nitrate was observed in one sample each during 2022. The year-wise details of groundwater quality monitoring including the number of samples analysed and parameter-wise exceedance of permissible limits are given at Annexure. (c) Dynamic Ground Water Resources of the country including the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, are assessed annually by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) in collaboration with the State Governments/UT Administrations. As per the Dynamic Ground Water Resources Assessment, 2025, all the three assessment units namely Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, have been categorised as Safe with the Stage of Ground Water Extraction assessed at 34.95 per cent, 60.30 per cent and 52.60 per cent respectively. Further, as per the Annual Ground Water Quality Report– 22025, no groundwater contamination has been reported in the Union Territory. Therefore, there is no proposal to declare the Union Territory as an "Over- exploited and Contaminated Groundwater Area". (d) Under the National Aquifer Mapping and Management Programme (NAQUIM), the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) prepares aquifer maps and groundwater management plans and shares them with the concerned State/UT authorities for implementation. NAQUIM studies have already been completed in all three regions of the Union Territory. In Dadra & Nagar Haveli, the studies were completed in 2017 covering about 491 sq. km. In Daman, the studies were completed during 2021–22 covering about 72 sq. km, while in Diu they were completed in 2022 covering about 40 sq. km. The studies include aquifer maps and location-specific groundwater management plans recommending suitable supply-side interventions such as rooftop rainwater harvesting, percolation tanks and check dams as well as demand-side measures including micro-irrigation, water-saving practices and suitable cropping patterns for sustainable groundwater management. The aquifer maps and management plans have been shared with the concerned UT authorities for suitable implementation. *** 3ANNEXURE ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) & (b) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1841 TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 30.07.2026 REGARDING “DETECTION OF POLLUTANTS IN GROUNDWATER”. Year-wise Groundwater Quality Monitoring in the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (2021–2025) Sl. Year State/UT Electrical Fluoride (F) Nitrate (NO₃) No. Conductivity(EC) No. of % of No. of % of No. of % of samples samples samples samples samples samples analyzed with EC > analyzed with F analyzed with NO₃ 3000 >1.5 > 45 mg/L µS/cm mg/L 1 2021 Dadra and Nagar 2 0 2 0 2 0 Haveli and Daman and Diu 2 2022 Dadra and Nagar 22 4.55 22 4.55 22 4.55 Haveli and Daman and Diu 3 2023 Dadra and Nagar 17 5.88 17 0 17 0 Haveli and Daman and Diu 4 2024 Dadra and Nagar 17 5.88 17 0 17 0 Haveli and Daman and Diu 5 2025 Dadra and Nagar 16 0 16 0 16 0 Haveli and Daman and Diu ***** 4