Water Pollution in Guwahati

 Water Pollution in Guwahati

(Brahmaputra River)

CONTENTS

•        Introduction
•     Causes of water pollution
•     Problem arises due to consumption of polluted water
•     Methods to check water pollution
•     Steps to Make Brahmaputra River Pollution Free
•      Conclusion

INTRODUCTION

Measuring nearly 4000 kilometers (3,848) in length, the mighty Brahmaputra River originates in Tibet and flows throw three countries, it is the major source of water in east and north-east India, and culminates in Bangladesh.  In Assam, it flows for a length of 640 kilometers, the largest among India’s states. With the increase in urbanization and industrialization in the state, Brahmaputra has joined the long list of rivers in India which faces the threat of pollution from industrial and domestic sources. In the present work water samples are collected from three different points along the river Brahmaputra in Guwahati city regularly for 10 days and water quality assessment is carried out. Turbidity, pH, Dissolved Oxygen and Fluoride content values are determined using laboratory tests to identify the highly correlated and interrelated water quality parameters. Higher pH value was obtained from the water sample collected at site-2(Fancy Bazaar, Guwahati), sample obtained from site-1(Narangi, Guwahati) is least turbid, sample obtained from site-3(Saraighat, Guwahati) has maximum amount of dissolved oxygen but there is no fluoride content in any of the samples. The mean values of all the measured physio-chemical parameters of Brahmaputra river water are compared with the desirable limit set by World Health Organization (WHO).

Causes of Water Pollution

Urbanization

Urban population growth in Assam has been rapid, and the increase has had its toll on urban areas, and adverse effect on the river Brahmaputra. In the three cities of Guwahati, Dibrugarh and Tezpur through which the river flows, population has increased at an average annual rate of 20 per cent, resulting in more constructions, increase in water consumption and higher generation of waste. As urbanization increased in the state’s three major cities, waste generation also increased highly. Continuous disposal of sewage has rendered many parts of the Brahmaputra contaminated.

·       Oil Pollution’s Effects on the River

Oil is one of Assam’s primary economic assets. The state produces more than 4,500 metric tons of crude oil every year from its 100 oilfields. Oil spills are common, and over the last 10 years, more than 200 incidents of small to moderate to major oil spills have been reported in the state. Oil processing factories situated near the river banks pose major threat to the river and the state’s pollution control board documents more than 40 incidents of oil spillage from these factories in 2014-15. Oil does not dissolve in water and blocks oxygen, suffocating aquatic life in the process. Oil pollution also significantly polluted groundwater, which seeps into nearby rivers and in Assam’s case; Brahmaputra is the primary victim of such pollution.

·      Industrial wastes

A large number of small, medium and large industries are located within the area of Guwahati. According to 1991 census there were 669 industrial units of which 19.73% were engaged in various metal products, 17.34% in chemicals, 15.40% in paper products and printing, 11.5% in repair and servicing, 9.72% in wood products and 6.58% in food products. Only 43 units were located inside the industrial estate, while all the others were scattered all over the city. The growth of industries can be termed as environmentally unsafe.

Problem arises due to consumption of polluted water

·        Problem of Arsenic

As a matter of fact the high contamination of arsenic in water is a serious health threat. Arsenic may come from natural sources such as arsenic bearing minerals like arsenopyrite, realgar, orpiment, arsenolite, scorodite, clauditite etc. or from soil, pesticides, chemical menure and sewerage sludges that are transported by surface as well as groundwater. Drinking arsenic-rich water over a long period results in various health effects including skin problems like skin cancer, cancers of the bladder, kidney and lung, and diseases of the blood vessels of the legs and feet, and possibly also diabetes, high blood pressure and reproductive disorders.

·        Problem of Fluoride

As per Indian Standards acceptable limit of fluoride in consumable water is 1.0 mg/l while 1.5 mg/l is the cause for rejection. However, in some cases fluoride content in water has been found to be as high as 23 mg/l. Fluorosis is a crippling disorder due to entry of Fluoride in the body, which affects every organ, tissue, cells in the body, and results in health complaints having overlapping manifestations with several other diseases like gouts and osteoporosis.

·        Problem of Iron

Most of the ground water sources in Assam are found to have excess iron content. Though excess iron does not have major health problem, but it stains and has aesthetic problem.

Method to Check Water Pollution

Sampling and Test Method: The sampling includes pre-treatment and preservation of collected samples which is done according to the standard methods such as the Indian standards or internationally accepted standards. The water quality tests will be carried out on-site for some parameters and at an authorized laboratory for most parameters. The test methods will be based on the Indian standards or APHA-AWWA-WEF (Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater).

Time-Frequency for sampling

·          Water body (intake site): Once a month

·          Water Treatment Plant: Once a day

·          Public water tap and Household tap: Once a month

Steps to Make Brahmaputra River Pollution Free

Water of almost all rivers in the country is polluted. It is heartening to know that there is marked improvement of water quality in certain very populated cities/towns situated on the banks of Ganga River and that National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) is implementing Centrally Sponsored Scheme in 160 towns along the polluted stretches of 34 rivers spread over 20 States. Brahmaputra River is one of the largest rivers in India and regarded as the lifeline for people of whole of Assam and certain areas of the neighboring States. Water of this river is extremely contaminated due to uncontrolled disposal of industrial effluent and urban sewage raising its pollution level very high. More than 16 million people in Guwahati and millions living on the banks of this river are exposed to water borne diseases. The livestock, fish and crops are also affected. Unfortunately Assam has not been included in the NRCP list. Assam is one of the most backward States – afflicted by severe unemployment and poverty. Most people here are ignorant about pollution and without means to adopt alternative methods of safe drinking water. Therefore, in the near future my State will not only be economically backward but physically ailing too. I therefore urge the Ministry of Environment & Forests to take immediate step so that the State Government in collaboration with Central Pollution Control Board takes up cleansing operation of Brahmaputra River on war footing.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion we observed that water quality in Assam in recent times deteriorated tremendously due to various factor. As the city continues to expand at a frenetic pace, so does the demand for water. Many cities of the country are facing water shortage but the situation is uncalled- for in Guwahati because we have a huge reservoir of surface water in the form of the Brahmaputra. An environment friendly city is one that minimizes waste and economizes to the maximum. Guidelines would be set out progressively to reduce waste in all its forms, to avoid the accumulation of problems and to make full use of existing structures. The Government needs to take up new water supply schemes in the arsenic affected districts and the contaminated groundwater sources should be discarded. The authorities with the help of experts should evolve low cost technologies to minimize the presence of arsenic in potable water in the affected areas.