Arsenic, fluoride, uranium contamination threaten drinking water safety in Bihar
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Patna: Groundwater quality in Bihar remains a concern despite the implementation of the 'Har Ghar Jal-Nal Yojna' and other measures initiated by the state govt. More than 30,000 rural wards continue to face the risk of "unsafe" drinking water, leaving large sections of the population vulnerable to serious health hazards.
The Bihar Economic Survey Report (2024-25), tabled in the state assembly earlier this year, revealed that around 26% of rural wards in 31 of the state's 38 districts have groundwater contaminated with arsenic, fluoride and iron beyond permissible limits. The findings were based on an analysis of water samples by the state's public health engineering department (PHED).
Experts attribute the deterioration in groundwater quality to multiple factors like rapid industrial growth and urbanisation leading to the discharge of untreated industrial and municipal waste, excessive use of fertilisers and pesticides in agriculture, over-extraction of groundwater for irrigation and the growing impact of climate change.
Arsenic: Excessive and prolonged ingestion of inorganic arsenic through drinking water is causing arsenicosis, a progressive and debilitating disease marked by skin lesions, pigmentation and patches on the palms and soles. It can culminate in fatal illnesses such as skin and internal cancers. Long-term exposure may also result in cardiovascular and diabetic complications. Arsenic contamination has been detected in groundwater across 20 districts, including Araria, Begusarai, Bhagalpur, Bhojpur, Buxar, Darbhanga, East Champaran, Gopalganj, Katihar, Khagaria, Kishanganj, Madhepura, Madhubani, Muzaffarpur, Samastipur, Saran, Sheohar, Sitamarhi, Supaul and West Champaran.
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Fluoride: High fluoride levels in drinking water are harmful to health. Former deputy director general of the Geological Survey of India, Binod Kumar, said, "Long-term intake of groundwater with excessive fluoride concentrations often leads to waterborne fluorosis, such as dental and skeletal fluorosis. Children may get mottled teeth." Concentrations exceeding the permissible limit of 15 mg/L have been reported in parts of Banka, Gaya, Jamui, Nalanda, Nawada and Sheikhpura districts.
Uranium: Groundwater samples from Siwan district have been found to contain uranium concentrations above 30 ppb, according to Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) analysis. Former Bihar State Pollution Control Board chairman Ashok Kumar Ghosh said radioactive uranium has also been detected in Saran, Bhabhua, Khagaria, Madhepura, Nawada, Sheikhpura, Purnea, Kishanganj and Begusarai. "High exposure may cause bone toxicity, impaired renal function and cancer," he said.
Iron: Elevated iron content in groundwater has been observed in 33 districts, including Araria, Banka, Begusarai, Bhabhua, Bhagalpur, Bhojpur, Buxar, East Champaran, Gaya, Gopalganj, Jamui, Katihar, Khagaria, Kishanganj, Lakhisarai, Madhepura, Madhubani, Munger, Muzaffarpur, Nalanda, Nawada, Patna, Rohtas, Saharsa, Samastipur, Saran, Sheikhpura, Sheohar, Sitamarhi, Siwan, Supaul, Vaishali and West Champaran.
High iron levels can cause anaesthetic effects and promote the growth of iron bacteria.
Nitrate: Elevated nitrate levels in groundwater pose risks such as methemoglobinemia, or "blue baby syndrome", in infants. "Adults can tolerate slightly higher concentrations," said Patna University geology teacher Bhavuk Sharma. Out of 800 groundwater samples analysed by the CGWB, 20 had nitrate concentrations exceeding the permissible limit of 45 mg/L with some reaching as high as 119 mg/L. Higher nitrate levels were found in Arwal, Bhagalpur, Bhojpur, Buxar, Jehanabad, Kaimur, Katihar, Madhepura, Madhubani, Muzaffarpur, Patna, Saharsa, Samastipur, Sheohar and Sitamarhi.
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