Parliament Question: Remedial action plans for groundwater contamination

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 251 ANSWERED ON 02.02.2026 REMEDIAL ACTION PLANS FOR GROUNDWATER CONTAMINATION 251. Smt. PHULO DEVI NETAM: Smt. RANJEET RANJAN: SHRI HARIS BEERAN: Will the Minister of Jal Shakti be pleased to state: (a) whether Government has prepared district-wise remedial action plans for groundwater contamination in districts identified as hotspots in the CGWB Annual Ground Water Quality Report, 2024; (b) the number of Jal Jeevan Mission habitations located in districts where groundwater contamination exceeds permissible limits; (c) the percentage of such habitations receiving treated or alternative safe water sources; and (d) whether districts with over 40 per cent nitrate exceedance have been mapped against fertiliser consumption and cropping intensity data, if so, the corrective advisories or restrictions that have been introduced? 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). During 2024, Groundwater quality hotspot monitoring was undertaken by the CGWB to assess contaminant distribution and spatial spread. The objective of this exercise was to delineate localized contamination zones and understand the extent of contaminant migration within the surrounding areas. 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 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 1entire country and not just quality affected areas. However, providing potable drinking water to quality- affected habitations is one of the priorities under Jal Jeevan Mission. States/UTs have been advised to plan and implement piped water supply schemes of bulk water transfer based on safe water sources such as surface water sources or alternative safe ground water sources for the villages with water quality issues. 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 the two major contaminants viz. Arsenic & Fluoride. As reported by the states, 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). (d) The occurrence of nitrate in groundwater typically originates from nitrogen sources at or near the land surface where nitrogen-rich wastes are deposited. In many cases, elevated nitrate concentrations result from the leaching of fertilizers, animal wastes, or other nitrogenous residues applied to agricultural fields. Accordingly, CGWB has recommended that enhanced groundwater recharge can play an important role in mitigating nitrate contamination through dilution effect, alongside measures to reduce nitrate discharge in the upper soil layers. Additionally, the Government of India is advocating the concept of balanced and judicious use of fertilizers on Soil Health Card based recommendation. Under National Project on Soil Health & Fertility Scheme, the Soil Health Cards (SHCs) are used to improve soil health and to ensure judicious use of fertilizers. Government has also been promoting organic farming in the country through Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) in all the States/UTs (other-than North Eastern States) and Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) exclusively for North Eastern region. ***** 2