Revitalization of Rivers in India Draft Policy - Isha Guru Jaggi Vasudev

Revitalization of Rivers In India
Draft Policy Recommendation
As can be seen in data indicated in earlier sections, in 2015, the estimated
sewage generation in the country was 61,754 MLD (CPCB Bulletin, Vol 1, 2016). If
we look at the installed capacity, only 32.5% of the sewage generated could actually
be treated. If only operational STPs are considered, this further drops to 30.5%.
Professor Eldho’s compilation of data matches with the above for sewage.
He further quotes CPCP, 2009 data that only 60% of industrial wastewater, mostly
large scale industries, is treated (Eldho, October 2014).
That means, 70% of the sewage and another significant volume of industrial
effluent (40% in 2009) is untreated and is likely to be finding its way to farm lands
or nearby water bodies or rivers. Going by Prof. Eldho’s observations, the mode of
disposal is:
(ad) Indirectly into the rivers/ lakes/ ponds/ creeks in 118 cities
(ae) On to the agriculture land in 63 cities
(af) Directly into rivers in 41 cities
(ag) Discharged both into rivers and on agriculture land in 44 cities
(ah) In many of the coastal cities, the wastewater finds its way into estuaries,
creeks, bays, etc.
It is, therefore, no surprise that both groundwater and surface water in many
areas in the country are polluted.
(e)
Geogenic Pollution of Borewells
Irrational use has led to higher groundwater consumption than recharge.
Groundwater levels have reduced drastically in the last 60 years.
Of all the 5723 blocks assessed across India by the Central Ground Water
Authority, 839 have been found to be over-exploited, 226 are classified as critical,
while 550 are under the semi-critical tag. Thus, as of 2010, around about 29%
of India’s groundwater blocks are considered to be in need of very careful and
judicious action (KPMG International, 2010).
Groundwater contamination is the presence of certain pollutants in groundwater
that are in excess of the limits prescribed for drinking water. The commonly
observed contaminants include arsenic, fluoride, nitrate and iron, which are
316 Annexures