Groundwater in Punjab and Haryana unsafe for drinking due to high arsenic and uranium contamination

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The Annual Ground Water Quality Report-2024 report reveals that 20 districts in Punjab and 16 districts in Haryana have uranium levels surpassing the permissible limit of 30 parts per billion.

The Annual Ground Water Quality Report-2024 released by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) has raised concerns about groundwater contamination in Punjab and Haryana. The report highlights the presence of uranium, nitrates, arsenic, chloride, and fluoride in concentrations exceeding the permissible limits across several districts in both states.

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Uranium contamination

The report reveals that 20 districts in Punjab and 16 districts in Haryana have uranium levels surpassing the permissible limit of 30 parts per billion (ppb), based on samples collected in May 2023. This marks an increase in the number of affected districts compared to 2019, when 17 districts in Punjab and 18 districts in Haryana were affected. Uranium concentrations above 30 ppb pose significant health risks, including kidney toxicity and urinary tract cancer. The Punjab and Haryana High Court had previously ordered an analysis of groundwater samples to assess the risks posed by elements other than uranium.

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Agricultural runoff 

The high levels of uranium are thought to be linked to the leaching process in agricultural lands, exacerbated by the heavy use of fertilisers. The report suggests that many of the districts affected by high uranium concentrations are located in overexploited, critical, and semi-critical groundwater stress zones. Furthermore, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) took cognisance of a study by IIT-Mandi, which stated that agricultural runoff contributes to groundwater pollution in Punjab.

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High nitrate and arsenic concerns

Apart from uranium, high nitrate levels have been found in the groundwater across both states. In Haryana, 14.56% of the samples exceeded the permissible nitrate level of 45 mg per litre, while in Punjab, 12.58% of the samples failed the test. High nitrate levels pose a risk of causing blue baby syndrome in infants. The report also reveals that arsenic concentrations above 10 ppb have been found in groundwater samples from 12 districts in Punjab and five districts in Haryana.