Brian Barton
Water pollution is a significant environmental issue in India, with untreated sewage, agricultural runoff, and unregulated small-scale industry being the main sources of pollution. India's most sacred rivers, such as the Ganges (Ganga) and Yamuna, are among the most polluted in the world. The Ganges, considered holy by Hindus, has dangerously high levels of coliform bacteria, faecal matter, and toxic chemicals like chromium. The Yamuna, which is a tributary of the Ganges, is also polluted with industrial waste, agricultural waste, and raw sewage. Other polluted rivers in India include the Godavari, Cooum, Sabarmati, and Bahela. The pollution in these rivers is caused by a combination of industrial effluents, untreated sewage, and agricultural runoff, resulting in high levels of bacteria, viruses, pesticides, fertilizers, and heavy metals. While the Indian government has implemented various schemes and programs to address the issue, the country continues to struggle with insufficient wastewater treatment capacity and ineffective sewage treatment plants.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Source of water pollution | Untreated sewage, agricultural runoff, unregulated small-scale industry |
| Rivers with high levels of BOD | Markanda (490 mg/L BOD), Kali (364 mg/L BOD), Amlakhadi (353 mg/L BOD), Yamuna canal (247 mg/L BOD), Yamuna at Delhi (70 mg/L BOD), Betwa (58 mg/L BOD) |
| Rivers with high levels of faecal coliform | Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Ghagghar, Gomti |
| Pollutants | Bacteria, viruses, parasites, fertilizers, pesticides, pharmaceutical products, nitrates, phosphates, plastics, heavy metals (lead, cadmium, copper, chromium, zinc, arsenic) |
| Impact | Fatal human diseases such as cholera, malaria and tuberculosis, impaired cognitive function, gastrointestinal damage, renal damage |
| Number of polluted rivers | 303 (out of 605) |
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What You'll Learn
Industrial waste
India's rivers are a vital resource for the country, with millions of people depending on them for their survival. However, industrial waste is a significant contributor to river pollution in India, causing severe environmental and health issues.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported that as of 2016, there were 746 industries directly depositing wastewater into the Ganga, India's largest river. The pollution of the Ganga, also known as the Ganges, is a critical issue as it is a vital water source for approximately 500 million people. The river has high levels of untreated industrial effluents, sewage, and toxic pollutants.
Other rivers in India, such as the Yamuna, Godavari, Ghagghar, and Gomti, also face significant industrial pollution. The Yamuna, for example, has doubled its pollution levels in the past decade, with industrial effluents and untreated sewage being the primary sources of contamination. The Godavari River, despite having a pollution control scheme in place since 1991, continues to suffer from high levels of industrial waste, particularly in the districts of Adilabad, Karimnagar, Warangal, and Khammam.
The Indian government has recognised the severity of river pollution and has initiated various projects to address the issue. The Namami Gange project, launched in 2014, aims to clean up the Ganga, but has faced challenges in achieving significant results. The government has also proposed the demolition or construction of upstream dams to increase water flow during the dry season and has invested in new infrastructure to treat sewage and industrial waste in the Ganges' catchment area. Additionally, the Supreme Court of India has worked on the closure and relocation of industrial plants along the Ganges.
While efforts are being made, the mismanagement of industrial waste and its impact on river pollution in India remains a pressing issue. The lack of proper disposal systems, inadequate treatment of industrial effluents, and insufficient sewage treatment capacity contribute to the degradation of river water quality. Addressing these challenges is crucial for ensuring the health and well-being of India's rivers, the people who depend on them, and the unique aquatic life they support.
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Agricultural waste
India's rivers are a source of survival for millions of people and support 18% of the world's unique aquatic plants and animals. However, water pollution poses a significant threat to this vital resource. A little over half of India's 605 rivers were found to be polluted by the Central Pollution Control Board in 2022. This pollution is caused by various factors, including agricultural waste.
Agricultural runoff also includes untreated sewage, which can introduce harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites into the water. This not only affects aquatic life but also impacts terrestrial life, including humans, when used for drinking or irrigation. For example, the river Gomti, which flows through 9 districts of Uttar Pradesh, is heavily polluted by untreated sewage, bringing chemicals, oil, asphalt, sediments, and heavy metals into the river. The high levels of pollution in the Gomti have led to the absence of marine life in many stretches of the river and the outbreak of fatal human diseases such as cholera, malaria, and tuberculosis.
To address river pollution caused by agricultural waste, there is a growing emphasis on incentivising farmers to shift to organic farming practices. Organic cultivation not only benefits river health but also improves soil health, increases farmer incomes, and positively impacts public health. Additionally, proper waste management and sewage treatment are crucial. The Indian government has been working to improve wastewater treatment infrastructure, with approximately 815 sewage treatment plants (STPs) planned or under development in recent years, increasing the percentage of urban sewage treated from 37% in 2015 to 50% in 2021.
While efforts are being made, river pollution in India remains a critical issue. The consequences of inaction are severe, impacting not only the environment but also public health, food security, and the economy. It is essential that India continues to prioritise sustainable initiatives and partnerships to tackle river pollution and protect this vital resource for future generations.
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Religious practices
India's rivers are considered sacred by many Hindus, with the Ganges being the most revered. The Ganges is also a vital water source for over 40% of India's population. However, the river has become severely polluted due to various factors, including religious practices.
One significant way in which religious practices contribute to river pollution in India is through cremation. The city of Varanasi, known as the "spiritual centre of Hinduism", is a primary site for cremation. It is estimated that 32,000 bodies are cremated in Varanasi each year, resulting in 300 tons of ash and 200 tons of partially burnt human flesh being deposited into the Ganges River. While electric crematoria have been introduced as a more environmentally friendly alternative, traditional cremation practices continue to be a major source of river pollution.
Another religious practice that contributes to river pollution is ritual bathing. The Ganges is considered a holy river, and Hindus consider bathing in it to be a sacred act that can bring purification and spiritual merit. During religious festivals and large-scale gatherings, such as the Kumbh Mela, millions of people flock to the river for ritual bathing. This practice, while spiritually significant, increases the amount of sewage and waste entering the river, particularly in areas with inadequate sewage treatment infrastructure.
In addition to cremation and ritual bathing, the deposition of offerings and religious artefacts in the river also contributes to pollution. Devotees often leave flowers, food, and other offerings as a form of worship, which then accumulate in the water. These offerings can decompose and contribute to the organic waste burden in the river. Additionally, the disposal of religious artefacts, such as statues of the gods and goddesses, made from non-biodegradable materials, can further add to the pollution problem.
While some Hindus have called for efforts to clean the Ganges and mitigate pollution, there are differing attitudes within the religious community. Some Hindus actively work to change their habits and reduce their environmental impact, while others deny the existence of climate change or the need for Hindu environmentalism. The diversity of beliefs and practices within Hinduism makes it challenging to implement unified solutions to river pollution.
Furthermore, the construction of dams and diversions for irrigation and industrial development along sacred rivers like the Ganges has been a point of contention. Campaigns opposing dam construction have emerged, with some rooted in religious initiatives. However, these campaigns have faced challenges, and the possibility of future large-scale religious campaigns appears remote.
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Sewage treatment plants
India's rivers are heavily polluted by untreated sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial waste. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, India generates about 72.4 billion litres of wastewater per day, with Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat contributing about 40% of this waste. This has led to the pollution of major rivers such as the Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Cooum, Sabarmati, and Bahela.
To combat this issue, the Indian government has implemented various initiatives, including the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP), which aims to arrest sewerage and effluents in Indian cities and protect water resources. Under the NRCP, projects such as the interception and diversion of sewage, the construction of new sewerage systems, and the development of sewage treatment plants (STPs) are being undertaken.
Coronation Pillar STP: Located in North Delhi, this STP is one of the largest in the country, with a capacity to treat 318 million litres of wastewater per day (MLD). Completed in March 2022, the plant aims to clean the Yamuna River and is equipped with advanced phosphate and nitrogen removal facilities.
Okhla Wastewater Treatment Plant: This STP in Okhla, New Delhi, is being built with a capacity of 564 MLD, making it the largest in Asia and the fourth-largest in the world. It consists of six STPs that utilise modern technology to generate 5-MW of green power from the sludge. The plant will benefit about 40 lakh people and significantly reduce pollution in the Yamuna River in the Delhi stretch.
Koramangala and Challaghatta Valley Project: This project in Bangalore comprises three STPs with a combined capacity of 440 MLD.
Kodungaiyur STP: The largest STP in the Chennai metro area, with a capacity to treat about 270 MLD of sewage.
Koyambedu Tertiary Treatment RO Plant: India's largest and most technologically advanced water reuse project, located in Chennai. This plant employs multi-stage treatment, including ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis, and ozonation, to treat wastewater. It will boost water resilience and sustainability, allowing Chennai to reuse more than 20% of its treated water.
While these STPs are making significant contributions to reducing water pollution in India, there is still a large gap between the generation and treatment of domestic wastewater in the country. Many government-owned STPs remain closed due to design flaws, poor maintenance, and a lack of reliable electricity supply. As a result, India's sewage treatment capacity falls short of the amount of wastewater generated, contributing to the pollution of its rivers.
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Pesticides
The Brahmaputra River, a vital water source in Northeast India, faces pollution from agricultural runoff due to the excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers in the basin's agricultural lands. Similarly, the Ghaggar River, once a vibrant waterway, is now considered one of the most polluted rivers in South Asia due to agricultural runoff from the excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers in the region's agricultural lands.
The Ganges River, India's largest river and a vital water source for millions, is also severely polluted by pesticides. Agricultural activities in the Ganges River basin introduce various chemical substances, including pesticides, which act as toxic pollutants and pose a direct threat to life in the river and its surrounding ecosystems. The river water is used for irrigation, creating a pathway for recirculating contaminants and washing excess agrochemicals from the land into the watercourse.
In addition to agricultural runoff, the indiscriminate dumping of industrial waste into rivers contributes to pesticide pollution. The Central Pollution Control Board reported that in 2016, 746 industries were directly depositing wastewater into the Ganges River, which contained pesticides and heavy metals like lead, cadmium, copper, chromium, zinc, and arsenic. This industrial wastewater negatively affects aquatic life and human health, with potential impacts on cognitive function, gastrointestinal health, and renal function.
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Frequently asked questions
The main causes of river pollution in India are untreated sewage, agricultural runoff, and unregulated small-scale industry.
The Ganga (or Ganges) River is one of the most polluted rivers in India and the world. It has 49 polluted stretches and is considered unsafe for bathing or agricultural use.
The main water pollutants found in Indian rivers include bacteria, viruses, parasites, fertilizers, pesticides, pharmaceutical products, nitrates, phosphates, plastics, and heavy metals.
River pollution in India poses a severe health threat to residents, as it contaminates drinking water sources and can cause diseases such as cholera, malaria, and tuberculosis. It also severely limits the amount of water available for human consumption, industry, and agriculture.
The Indian government has implemented various schemes and programs to treat wastewater, reduce agricultural runoff, and improve soil conservation. However, many of these initiatives have failed to produce significant results, and the problem of river pollution persists.
