Central Ground Water Board Flags Contamination in Andhra Pradesh
CGWB report reveals widespread groundwater contamination in Andhra Pradesh, exceeding BIS standards.
Photo by Nana K.
Key Facts
Report: CGWB Annual Ground Water Quality Report, 2025
Contamination: Exceeds BIS standards in Andhra Pradesh
Uranium: > 30 ppb in AP and four other states
Residual sodium carbonate: 26.87% of samples in AP
UPSC Exam Angles
GS Paper 3: Environment and Ecology - Pollution, Conservation
GS Paper 2: Governance - Government policies and interventions
Potential question types: Statement-based, analytical questions on causes and consequences of groundwater contamination
Visual Insights
Groundwater Contamination in Andhra Pradesh and Other States (2025)
Map showing states with reported groundwater contamination exceeding BIS standards, as per CGWB's 2025 report. Highlights Andhra Pradesh due to high uranium and residual sodium carbonate levels.
Loading interactive map...
More Information
Background
The issue of groundwater contamination in India has deep historical roots, stemming from the Green Revolution in the 1960s and 70s. The push for increased agricultural production led to widespread use of fertilizers and pesticides, many of which leached into groundwater aquifers. Industrialization, particularly from the 1980s onwards, further exacerbated the problem with untreated industrial effluents being discharged into rivers and land, eventually contaminating groundwater.
The lack of stringent environmental regulations and enforcement in the early decades contributed significantly to the current situation. Furthermore, traditional water management practices, such as reliance on open wells and tanks, made groundwater resources more vulnerable to surface contamination.
Latest Developments
Recent developments include increased monitoring efforts by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) and state-level agencies. There's a growing emphasis on promoting sustainable agricultural practices to reduce fertilizer and pesticide runoff. The Jal Jeevan Mission, launched in 2019, aims to provide safe and adequate drinking water to all rural households by 2024, which includes addressing groundwater quality issues.
Future outlook involves stricter enforcement of environmental regulations, promotion of rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge, and increased public awareness campaigns about the importance of groundwater conservation and protection. The government is also exploring advanced technologies for groundwater remediation and monitoring, such as remote sensing and GIS-based mapping.
Practice Questions (MCQs)
1. Consider the following statements regarding the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB): 1. It is a statutory body under the Ministry of Jal Shakti. 2. It is responsible for monitoring and assessing groundwater resources in India. 3. It publishes the Annual Ground Water Quality Report. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: B
The CGWB is a subordinate office of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, not a statutory body. Statements 2 and 3 are correct.
2. In the context of groundwater contamination, Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC) is a critical parameter. High RSC levels in irrigation water can lead to which of the following? 1. Reduced soil permeability 2. Increased soil salinity 3. Enhanced nutrient availability for plants Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: A
High RSC levels lead to reduced soil permeability and increased soil salinity. They do not enhance nutrient availability.
3. Which of the following statements is NOT correct regarding the impact of seawater intrusion on coastal aquifers?
- A.It increases the salinity of groundwater, making it unsuitable for drinking and irrigation.
- B.It can lead to the mobilization of heavy metals from aquifer sediments.
- C.It always improves the overall water quality of the aquifer due to dilution.
- D.It can damage coastal ecosystems and agricultural lands.
Show Answer
Answer: C
Seawater intrusion degrades water quality, it does not improve it.
4. Assertion (A): High nitrate levels in groundwater can pose a significant health risk, particularly to infants. Reason (R): Nitrate can be converted to nitrite in the digestive system, which can interfere with the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood. In the context of the above statements, which of the following is correct?
- A.Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
- B.Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A.
- C.A is true but R is false.
- D.A is false but R is true.
Show Answer
Answer: A
Both the assertion and reason are correct, and the reason correctly explains why high nitrate levels are a health risk.
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