Parliament Question: Fluoride Contamination in Groundwater

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 829 ANSWERED ON 04.12.2025 FLUORIDE CONTAMINATION IN GROUNDWATER 829. SHRI VISHNU DATT SHARMA: Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is aware of fluoride contamination in certain parts of Katni district in Madhya Pradesh as reported in recent groundwater quality assessments; (b) if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken/being taken to provide safe drinking water and install fluoride removal technologies in affected habitations; (c) whether the groundwater in Panna and Khajuraho (Chhatarpur district) has been assessed for fluoride, arsenic or nitrate contamination; (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and (e) whether the Government proposes to conduct such assessments and ensure preventive measures in these areas and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI (SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY) (a) & (b) Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) generates ground water quality data of the country on a regional scale as part of its ground water quality monitoring program and various scientific studies conducted as per the approved Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). Overall, the data on ground water quality indicates that the ground water in the country remains largely potable with localized occurrences of contaminants in isolated pockets. As per the Annual Ground Water Quality Report 2025, 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 (IS 10500:2012). The Government of India is implementing Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) – Har Ghar Jal scheme across the country in partnership with states for providing contamination free potable tap water to every rural household of the country including those of Madhya Pradesh, in adequate quantity of prescribed quality and on regular & long-term basis. 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. (c) & (d) Groundwater in Panna and in Khajuraho (Chhatarpur district) has been assessed for Fluoride, Arsenic and Nitrate under groundwater-quality monitoring conducted by CGWB as per the approved 1SOP. District-wise Groundwater Contamination including the number and percentage of samples exceeding limits is provided in Annexure. (e) Water is a State subject and the responsibility of taking initiatives to mitigate ground water contamination and to provide safe drinking water to citizens lies primarily with the state governments. However, to complement the efforts of the state governments, several steps have been taken by the Central Government to address these issues. Some of the important ones are mentioned below:-  As mentioned above, Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) conducts regular groundwater quality monitoring across the country. To enhance monitoring efficiency, a new Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) for Groundwater Quality Monitoring has recently been adopted incorporating more frequent and denser sampling in vulnerable areas.  The ground water quality data generated by CGWB is regularly disseminated through Annual Reports, Half-yearly Bulletins and Fortnightly Alerts for quick action by the stakeholders.  Under the National Aquifer Mapping Programme (NAQUIM) of CGWB, special attention is being given to the aspect of ground water quality while conducting studies.  Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) scheme is being implemented by the government which marks a paradigm shift in rural water supply. 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. Moreover, a network of more than 2,180 water quality testing laboratories has been set up across the country for early identification of contaminated drinking water sources so that safe alternatives can be provided immediately. Further, States/UTs have also been advised to install community water purification plants (CWPPs) as an interim measure, especially in quality affected habitations, to ensure safe water access to every household.  Since improvement in ground water quality can also be achieved to some degree by taking up artificial recharge activities, Ministry of Jal Shakti and other central ministries are implementing several programmes towards this end, like the annual Jal Shakti Abhiyan campaign, Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB) initiative, Atal Bhujal Yojana, PMKSY and MGNREGS schemes etc.  The ground water pollution also owes its origin to contamination of surface water sources for which various efforts have been made in the country like installing Sewage Treatment Plants, Effluent Treatment Plants and better system of sewage networks etc. Under National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) and National River Conservation Plan (NRCP), the government has initiated several steps for improving the water quality along major river stretches of the country. *** 2ANNEXURE ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (c) & (d) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 829 TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 04.12.2025 REGARDING “FLUORIDE CONTAMINATION IN GROUNDWATER”. Details of ground water sample analysis for Panna and Chhatarpur Districts of Madhya Pradesh Sl. District No. of No. of No. of No. of samples No. of samples No. samples samples samples analysed for exceeding Permissible analysed for exceeding exceeding Trace limit for Arsenic (As) Basic Permissible Permissible parameters (>10 ppb) parameters limit for limit for Fluoride (F) Nitrate (> 1.5mg/L) (NO3) (> 45 mg/L) 1 Panna 31 0 (0.0%) 4 (12.90%) 02 0 (0.0%) 2 Chhatarpur 16 0 (0.0%) 1 (6.25%) 01 0 (0.0%) ***** 3