**Executive Summary**
The document is the answer to Unstarred Question No. 1101 in the Lok Sabha, answered on February 5, 2026, regarding groundwater pollution and contamination. It details measures taken by the government to address groundwater quality issues, particularly focusing on the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) and its impact. The report references the Annual Groundwater Quality Report, 2025, and discusses actions taken under the JJM since 2019.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Groundwater Quality Assessment:**
* The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) generates groundwater quality data regionally, following its Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
* The Annual Groundwater Quality Report, 2025, identified exceedances of permissible limits for Nitrate and Fluoride in Korba district.
* Concentrations of Arsenic, Uranium, Copper, and Zinc were within permissible limits.
* **Remedial Measures and Recommendations:**
* CGWB recommends remedial measures for groundwater contamination, communicated through reports, advisories, and training programs.
* CGWB developed techniques for constructing Arsenic and Fluoride safe wells, shared with state governments.
* **Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) Implementation:**
* The JJM, implemented since 2019, aims to provide safe drinking water to every rural household.
* Water safety is a key priority under JJM, adopting Bureau of Indian Standards' BIS:10500.
* States/UTs receive 10% fund allocation weightage based on the population affected by chemical contaminants.
* States/UTs advised to implement piped water supply schemes of bulk water transfer, prioritizing surface or safe groundwater sources.
* **Water Quality Monitoring and Infrastructure:**
* Approximately 2870 water quality testing laboratories have been established across the country.
* Five individuals, preferably women, from each village are trained to use Field Test Kits (FTKs).
* States/UTs advised to install community water purification plants (CWPPs) as an interim measure.
* **Impact on Contamination:**
* Number of habitations affected by Nitrate, Arsenic, and Fluoride has significantly decreased.
* 515 Nitrate affected habitations in April 2022, with 112 covered under the scheme.
* Arsenic affected habitations declined from 14,020 (Aug 2019) to 314 (Jan 2026).
* Fluoride affected habitations declined from 7,996 (Aug 2019) to 245 (Jan 2026).
* Remaining habitations provided clean water via CWPPs.
**Impact Analysis**
**Key Stakeholders: State/District Administrations**
* **Impact:** Receive recommendations, advisories, and training from CGWB regarding groundwater contamination. Receive funds from JJM, with a weightage for areas with chemical contamination.
* **Action Required:** Implement remedial measures for groundwater contamination. Construct Arsenic and Fluoride safe wells. Plan and implement piped water supply schemes. Establish water quality testing laboratories. Install community water purification plants (CWPPs).
**Key Stakeholders: Rural Households**
* **Impact:** Aim to provide safe drinking water to every household through JJM.
* **Action Required:** Test water samples through Field Test Kits (FTKs).
Key Entities Referenced
Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM): A scheme implemented by the Government of India in partnership with States since 2019 to provide safe drinking water to every rural household of the country, focusing on water quality aspects.
Ministry of Jal Shakti: The central government ministry responsible for addressing water-related issues including groundwater pollution.
Central Ground Water Board (CGWB): The organization that generates groundwater quality data and recommends remedial measures for contamination.
Korba: An industrial district in India where groundwater pollution is being assessed.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI
DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1101
ANSWERED ON 05.02.2026
GROUNDWATER POLLUTION AND CONTAMINATION
†1101. SMT. JYOTSNA CHARANDAS MAHANT:
Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has prepared any district-wise remedial action plan to tackle groundwater
pollution in Korba and other industrial districts on the basis of the Central Ground Water Board’s Annual
Report 2024 and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the number of habitations covered under the Jal Jeevan Mission where the level of nitrate and other
harmful elements in groundwater is forty per cent more than the prescribed limit; and
(c) whether any special guidelines have been issued to ensure drinking water supply in such areas
through alternative safe water sources or treatment systems and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI
(SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY)
(a) Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) generates ground water quality data on a regional scale
throughout the country as part of its ground water quality monitoring program and various scientific
studies as per its Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
As per the latest Annual Groundwater Quality Report, 2025, in Korba district, out of 12 samples
analyzed, exceedances of permissible limits were observed for Nitrate at 01 location and for Fluoride at
02 locations. Further, the concentrations of the assessed heavy metals, namely Arsenic (As), Uranium
(U), Copper (Cu) and Zinc (Zn), were observed to be within permissible limits.
CGWB has recommended various remedial measures for ground water contamination caused by
different types of contaminants which are publicized through Annual Ground Water Quality Reports,
NAQUIM study reports, advisories to state/district administrations and through its training and public
interaction programmes. CGWB has also developed the techniques for constructing Arsenic and Fluoride
safe wells which have been shared with state governments for replication and upscaling.
(b) & (c) Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) is being implemented by the Government of India in partnership with
States since 2019 to provide safe drinking water to every rural household of the country. The scheme
covers the entire country and not just quality affected areas. Following measures have been taken under
JJM to facilitate action on water quality aspects at state level:-
1 Water safety has been one of the key priorities under the JJM since its inception. Under the
JJM, Bureau of Indian Standards’ BIS:10500 standards have been adopted as prescribed
norms for quality of tap water service delivery.
While allocating the funds to States/ UTs, 10% weightage is given to the population residing
in habitations affected by chemical contaminants.
States/ UTs have been advised to plan and implement piped water supply schemes of bulk
water transfer based, preferably, on surface water sources or alternative safe ground water
sources for the villages with water quality issue.
To facilitate implementation of the above said Framework, around 2870 water quality testing
laboratories have been set up in the country. Besides this, five persons, preferably women are
identified and trained from every village for testing the water samples through Field Test Kits
(FTKs).
States/ UTs have also been advised to install community water purification plants (CWPPs)
as an interim measure, especially in quality affected habitations, to provide potable drinking
water to every household.
As a result of cumulative efforts of the government and other stakeholders in addressing water
contamination issue, there has been a significant reduction in number of habitations affected by major
contaminants like Nitrate, Arsenic & Fluoride. As reported by the states, there were 515 Nitrate affected
habitations in the country as on April 2022 out of which 112 have been covered under the scheme so far,
providing safe drinking water. Further, from August 2019 to January 2026, the number of Arsenic and
Fluoride affected habitations in the country have declined from 14,020 to 314 and from 7,996 to 245
respectively. These remaining habitations have also been provided clean, & safe drinking water through
Community Water Purifier Plants (CWPPs).
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