Groundwater in several districts of Punjab and Haryana contains dangerously high levels of uranium, nitrates, arsenic, chloride, and fluoride, exceeding the permissible limits set for safe consumption. This alarming finding comes from the recently released Annual Ground Water Quality Report-2024, compiled by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB).
Rising Uranium Contamination
The report, accessed by The Financial Express, states that uranium levels have crossed the safe limit of 30 parts per billion (ppb) in 20 districts of Punjab and 16 districts of Haryana. These figures are based on groundwater samples collected in May 2023 and show an increase in affected areas compared to 2019. At that time, 17 districts in Punjab and 18 in Haryana had reported similar issues.
Exposure to uranium beyond the permissible limit can cause serious health problems, including kidney damage and urinary tract cancer. The Punjab and Haryana High Court had earlier directed authorities to assess groundwater quality to identify risks from multiple contaminants, not just uranium.
Causes of Uranium Contamination
The report attributes rising uranium levels to leaching from agricultural land, worsened by heavy use of fertilizers. Many of the affected districts fall under “overexploited,” “critical,” or “semi-critical” groundwater zones. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has also taken note of a study by IIT-Mandi, which links agricultural runoff to groundwater contamination in Punjab.
Other Contaminants in Groundwater
Apart from uranium, the report highlights dangerous nitrate levels in both Punjab and Haryana.
- In Haryana, 14.56% of the tested samples had nitrate levels exceeding the safe limit of 45 mg per litre.
- In Punjab, 12.58% of the samples crossed the permissible threshold.
High nitrate levels pose severe health risks, especially to infants, as they can cause blue baby syndrome.
Additionally, the report found arsenic contamination in groundwater samples from 12 districts in Punjab and five districts in Haryana, with levels exceeding 10 ppb.
Health and Environmental Concerns
Experts warn that prolonged exposure to these contaminants can lead to severe health conditions. The increasing pollution of groundwater in Punjab and Haryana is a growing concern, especially for people relying on it for drinking and irrigation purposes.
Authorities are expected to take measures to monitor and control groundwater pollution, ensuring public safety and sustainable water use.
