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According to a new study by Central Water Commission (CWC) two or more metals have been detected in water samples from 22 Indian rivers.
328 river monitoring stations were observed during January-December 2022 in India.
Contaminant |
Permissible limit |
Water quality monitoring station (WQMS) where maximum concentration was observed |
Arsenic |
10 µg / L |
Arsenic level in River Rind at Kora WQMS was 19.47 µg / L, or twice the permissible limit. |
Cadmium |
3 µg / L |
Cadmium level at Lucknow WQMS on River Gomti was 5.542 µg / L, or twice the permissible limit. |
Chromium |
50 µg / L |
Udaipur WQMS on River Brahmaputra River recorded 87.575 µg / L of chromium, which was twice times the permissible limit. |
Copper |
50 µg / L |
Avarankuppam WQMS on River Palar had a copper concentration reading of 98.097 µg / L or twice the permissible limit. |
Iron |
1,000 µg / L |
Kirtinagar D/S WQMS on Alakananda River recorded iron levels of 11.387 mg/L or 11 times the permissible limit. |
Lead |
10 µg / L |
The lead concentration in Seetha River at Avershe WQMS was 63.483 µg / L or six times the permissible limit. |
Mercury |
1 µg / L |
Palla U / S Delhi WQMS on the River Yamuna River indicated mercury levels of 8.903 µg / L or nine times the permissible limit. |
Nickel |
20 µg / L |
Madamon WQMS on River Pamba showed a nickel concentration of 69.01 µg / L or thrice the permissible limit. |
River water is currently being reported as contaminated with trace and toxic metals, both due to human activity and natural resources.
The spread of heavy metal is mostly due to human activities such as metal mining, smelting, foundries and other metal-based industries.
Heavy metals are introduced into the environment through agricultural practices, including leaching from sources like landfills, waste dumps, livestock and chicken manure, runoff from automobiles and roadwork.
The World Health Organization has classified Heavys metals as being of significant public health concern.
The presence of Heavy Metals above the limit in water will cause serious threats to flora and fauna because of their non-biodegradability. These have hazardous effects on crops, including grains and vegetables, cultivated in soil and water contaminated with these heavy metals.
Central Water Commission (CWC)The Central Water Commission (CWC) is a premier technical organization in India for water resources, functioning under the Department of Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation within the Ministry of Jal Shakti. It focuses on controlling, conserving, and utilizing water for flood control, irrigation, navigation, drinking water, and hydro power development. Led by a Chairman with the status of Ex-Officio Secretary to the Government of India, the CWC operates through three main wings: Designs and Research, River Management, and Water Planning and Projects. Each wing is managed by a Member with Ex-Officio Additional Secretary status. The CWC handles basin planning, project appraisal, hydrology, design and monitoring of water projects, dam safety, flood forecasting, river management, and resolving water disputes, while also monitoring river water quality. |
PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Which of the following contaminants has a permissible limit of 3 µg/L in drinking water? A) Arsenic B) Cadmium C) Chromium D) Copper
Answer: B) Cadmium Explanation Contaminant with Permissible Limit in India Arsenic: 10 µg/L Cadmium: 3 µg/L Chromium: 50 µg/L Copper: 50 µg/L Iron: 1,000 µg/L Lead: 10 µg/L Mercury: 1 µg/L Nickel: 20 µg/L |
SOURCE: DOWN TO EARTH
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