NEW DELHI: The groundwater quality report for 2024 reveals that India’s overall drinking groundwater resource is temporarily becoming hard and may not be directly suitable for many industrial purposes. However, over 81% of samples in the country met safe thresholds suitable for irrigation purposes. The north-east region’s groundwater quality falls in the excellent category for irrigation.
The report, released on Tuesday by Minister of Jalshakti C R Patil, says the calcium-bicarbonate type dominates India’s groundwater, followed by sodium and potassium ions. Some regions face dangerous sporadic contamination of nitrates, fluoride, and arsenic.
However, the report points out the positive role of India’s monsoon in recharging the groundwater and improving its quality. The seasonal trend of monsoon recharge effects was noticeable through parameters like Electrical Conductivity (EC) and fluoride, which enhance water quality. Percolation of pure rainwater reduces saltiness in groundwater and dilutes fluoride content.
From an agricultural perspective, the analysis of Sodium Adsorption Ratio and Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC) reinforces the generally favourable suitability of groundwater for irrigation, with over 81% of samples meeting safe thresholds. However, localized issues of high sodium content and RSC values demand targeted interventions to prevent long-term soil degradation.
Meanwhile, it is the first time the government has adopted an internationally recognized Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for groundwater quality monitoring, ensuring uniformity in data collection, analysis and interpretation.
Another report released on the occasion, ‘Dynamic Groundwater Resource Assessment Report’ for 2024, shows that total annual groundwater recharge has increased (15 Billion Cubic Metres) substantially, and extraction has declined (3 BCM) in 2024 from the 2017 assessment.
The total annual groundwater recharge has been assessed at 446.90 BCM. Keeping an allocation for natural discharge, the annual extractable groundwater resource has been assessed at 406.19 BCM. The annual groundwater extraction for all uses is 245.64 BCM.
The minister said, “The data-driven approach and evidence-based findings provide a foundation for informed decision-making aimed at enhancing groundwater sustainability and mitigating contamination risks.”