Arsenic found in groundwater in 25 states, fluoride in 27 states: Govt

In parts of 230 districts in 25 states in India, Arsenic has been detected in groundwater. As the Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Bishweswar Tudu, informed the Rajya Sabha on Monday, in 469 districts of 27 states, fluoride has been detected.

In a written reply, the minister said that the groundwater contamination reported by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) is mostly geogenic in nature, and does not show significant change over the years.

The CGWB, under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, conducts regular monitoring and assessment of groundwater quality, including groundwater contamination of Arsenic and Fluoride. The board has carried out various studies in collaboration with other institutions, the minister said.

Recently, the CGWB signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Geological Survey of India (GSI) for the study of groundwater contamination, including arsenic and fluoride, with a focus on eight states - Punjab, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, and Assam.