Helena Joyce
Water pollution in India is a major issue, with untreated sewage, agricultural runoff, and unregulated small-scale industry all contributing to the problem. It is estimated that around 70% of surface water in India is unfit for consumption, and the health costs relating to water pollution are estimated at about INR 470-610 billion ($6.7-8.7 billion) per year. The lack of access to clean water and sanitation results in the loss of 400,000 lives per year in India, with 1.5 million children under five dying from diarrhea alone. Waterborne diseases, such as cholera, typhoid, and hepatitis, are a significant cause of illness, hospitalization, and death among those exposed to polluted water sources. The Indian government has taken several initiatives to address this issue, including the implementation of Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) at some large industrial plants, but the country still faces challenges in bridging the gap between sewage generation and treatment capacity.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| People dying due to water pollution in India | Millions |
| Deaths of children under 5 due to water-related diseases | 1.5 million |
| Loss of lives due to lack of water, sanitation, and hygiene | 400,000 per year |
| Children dying from diarrhea | 1.5 million |
| Percentage of people without access to clean water by 2030 | 40% |
| People living along the Ganges River | 500 million |
| People bathing in the Ganges River daily | 2 million |
| Health costs related to water pollution | INR 470-610 billion ($6.7-8.7 billion) per year |
| Cost of environmental degradation | INR 3.75 trillion ($80 billion) per year |
| Reduction in GDP growth due to water pollution | Up to one-third |
| Reduction in agricultural revenues near industrial areas | 9% |
| Reduction in downstream agricultural yields | 16% |
What You'll Learn
Waterborne diseases
Water pollution is a critical issue in India, severely impacting both the environment and public health. The problem is exacerbated by a range of factors, including untreated sewage, agricultural runoff, unregulated small-scale industries, and industrial wastewater. The consequences are dire, with an estimated 400,000 lives lost annually due to a lack of water, sanitation, and hygiene.
Some of the most common waterborne diseases in India include:
Typhoid: Typhoid is a bacterial disease caused by the Salmonella typhi bacteria. It is prevalent in areas with poor sanitation and inadequate handwashing practices. According to a report, around 494 out of every 100,000 children in India suffer from typhoid, with villages and smaller towns at a higher risk.
Cholera: Cholera is another common waterborne disease in India, often associated with contaminated water sources.
Dysentery: Dysentery is caused by consuming contaminated food or water containing bacteria, parasites, or viruses.
Hepatitis A: Hepatitis A is a viral infection that can be contracted through contaminated food or water. It is one of the most common waterborne diseases in India, with a reported incidence of 12 cases per 100,000 people, although some studies suggest it could be much higher.
Diarrhea: Diarrhea is a common symptom of many waterborne diseases, and it is estimated that between 400,000 and 500,000 children under five years old die from diarrhea each year in India.
Malaria: Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease that thrives in areas with stagnant water, which is often contaminated with pollutants.
Other waterborne diseases prevalent in India include shigella, amoebiasis, giardia, and enteric fever. The impact of these diseases extends beyond health, with economic costs estimated at $6.7-8.7 billion per year.
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Poor water treatment
Water pollution is a significant issue in India, with far-reaching consequences for both the environment and public health. Poor water treatment is a major contributing factor to this crisis.
Untreated sewage is the largest source of water pollution in India, with industrial wastewater and agricultural runoff also playing a significant role. The majority of government-owned sewage treatment plants remain closed due to improper design, poor maintenance, power supply issues, and absentee employees. This results in untreated sewage being discharged directly into rivers and other water bodies, severely polluting them.
The lack of proper sewage treatment has severe health implications. Contaminated water is a significant cause of waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and hepatitis, leading to illness, hospitalization, and even death. The health costs associated with water pollution are estimated at about INR 470-610 billion ($6.7-8.7 billion) per year, with diarrheal mortality and morbidity in children under five being a significant contributor.
In addition to the direct health impacts, water pollution also affects India's agriculture, which is the backbone of the country's economy. High levels of pollutants such as arsenic and fluoride in groundwater can reduce crop yields and increase food prices. The environmental degradation caused by water pollution is estimated to cost India INR 3.75 trillion ($80 billion) per year.
To address the poor water treatment issue, India has taken several initiatives. The World Bank has supported the government's efforts to rejuvenate the Ganga River, investing in building and maintaining sewage treatment plants and drainage networks. The government has also encouraged the implementation of Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) technology in industries to eliminate liquid waste. However, the high installation costs and challenges in processing large amounts of dissolved solids in wastewater deter many plants from adopting this technology.
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Unsafe groundwater
The primary sources of groundwater contamination in India include agricultural runoff, overuse of nitrogen-based fertilizers, and improper management of nitrogen-rich animal waste. In addition, the indiscriminate use of groundwater in cities is making it highly saline and dangerous for consumption. For instance, Ahmedabad's groundwater has a high Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) content, with a concentration of 1,936 parts per million (ppm), far exceeding the safe limit of 500 ppm.
Untreated sewage is the largest source of water pollution in India, with most rivers, lakes, and surface water severely polluted. The majority of government-owned sewage treatment plants remain closed due to improper design, poor maintenance, and a lack of reliable electricity supply. As a result, sewage is discharged directly into water bodies, causing widespread contamination.
Industrial wastewater is also a significant contributor to groundwater pollution in India. The unregulated discharge of industrial chemicals and agrochemicals, such as Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), leads to bioaccumulation and severe health risks for those dependent on groundwater for drinking.
The consequences of unsafe groundwater in India are dire, with waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and hepatitis causing illness, hospitalization, and even death among those exposed to polluted water sources. It is estimated that more than 1.5 million Indian children die from diarrhea each year, and the lack of access to clean water continues to be a pressing issue.
To address the unsafe groundwater crisis, India has taken several initiatives. The government has encouraged the implementation of zero liquid discharge (ZLD) technology in some large industrial plants to eliminate liquid waste. However, installation costs and technical challenges remain deterrents for widespread adoption. Additionally, local Indian startups are contributing to improving water quality through various methods, including flocculation and the reuse of industrial water.
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Industrial wastewater
Water pollution is a significant issue in India, with untreated sewage, agricultural runoff, and unregulated small-scale industries being the primary sources. Industrial wastewater is a major contributor to this problem, and it is estimated that around 70% of surface water in India is unfit for consumption due to pollution.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) plays a crucial role in recommending wastewater discharge standards. However, despite these efforts, many industries, especially those in rural areas, violate Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for wastewater disposal. This non-compliance results in the contamination of surface and groundwater, putting the lives of local residents at risk, as seen in the case of Ferozepur Jhirka, a town in Haryana with a high number of cancer-related deaths attributed to water contamination.
To address this issue, the Indian government has taken several initiatives to prevent industrial water pollution. For instance, the government has encouraged the implementation of Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) technology, which eliminates liquid waste from highly polluting industries. Additionally, the government has installed Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) and reverse osmosis systems to treat industrial wastewater. However, the high installation costs and challenges in processing large amounts of dissolved solids deter many industrial plants from adopting these technologies.
The impact of industrial wastewater pollution in India is far-reaching. It affects human health, with waterborne diseases causing more deaths in children under five than other diseases combined. It also impacts the environment, leading to a loss of biodiversity and habitat degradation. Furthermore, water pollution contributes to economic stagnation, with costs associated with healthcare, loss of livelihoods, and water treatment amounting to billions of dollars annually.
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Water scarcity
The largest source of water pollution in India is untreated sewage, with government-owned sewage treatment plants remaining closed most of the time due to improper design, poor maintenance, and a lack of reliable electricity supply. Major cities in India produce 38,354 million litres per day (MLD) of sewage, but the urban sewage treatment capacity is only 11,786 MLD. As a result, sewage is discharged into rivers and other water bodies, causing severe pollution. Industrial wastewater is also highly unregulated, with many industries discarding their wastewater into rivers, leading to the contamination of drinking water sources for millions of people.
Agricultural practices further contribute to water scarcity in India. Inefficient irrigation methods and excessive groundwater extraction deplete crucial groundwater reserves. Additionally, the use of agrochemicals and pesticides pollutes water sources. India's dependence on erratic monsoon rains for its water requirements further exacerbates the issue. Climate change is expected to worsen the situation, with irregular rainfall patterns and more frequent and intense floods and droughts.
The consequences of water scarcity in India are dire. Reduced water availability impacts agriculture, leading to lower crop yields, increased food prices, and economic losses. Communities suffer from inadequate sanitation and hygiene, resulting in waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and hepatitis, which cause illness, hospitalization, and even death. The health costs associated with water pollution are estimated at INR 470-610 billion ($6.7-8.7 billion) per year, with a significant impact on child mortality and overall public health.
To address the water crisis, India has implemented various initiatives and programs. The Atal Bhujal Yojana, supported by the World Bank, is a community-led groundwater management program that aims to improve rural livelihoods and build resilience in states with high groundwater depletion rates. The "Paani Bachao, Paisa Kamao" (Save Water, Earn Money) scheme incentivizes farmers to reduce groundwater usage by offering cash incentives to those who save electricity used for irrigation. The World Bank has also supported the government in providing piped water supply to rural families and improving water infrastructure in urban areas. However, the crisis persists, and continued efforts and collaboration between government, industries, and communities are crucial to ensuring sustainable water management and equitable distribution.
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Frequently asked questions
While there is no clear number, water pollution in India is estimated to cause the loss of 400,000 lives per year. Waterborne diseases are a significant cause of illness, hospitalization, and death among those exposed to polluted water sources.
The main causes of water pollution in India are untreated sewage, agricultural runoff, and unregulated small-scale industry. Pesticides and industrial chemicals are also major water contaminants.
Waterborne diseases caused by water pollution include cholera, typhoid, hepatitis, and diarrheal diseases. These diseases can lead to severe health problems and even death, particularly in children.
The Indian government has implemented several initiatives to prevent industrial pollution of water resources, such as the Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) water treatment process. However, the country still struggles with insufficient treatment capacity and poorly maintained sewage treatment plants.
Water pollution in India has significant economic impacts, reducing GDP growth by up to a third in affected regions and causing a loss of $80 billion annually due to environmental degradation. The health costs associated with water pollution are estimated at $6.7-8.7 billion per year.
