Depletion and contamination of national groundwater reserve - A challenge to safe drinking water supply

摘要

Groundwater is the most important source of drinking water. It is also the preferred source of water in various user sectors on account of its near universal availability, dependability and low capital cost. The increasing dependence on groundwater has resulted in its indiscriminate extraction without due regard to the recharging capacities of aquifers and other environmental factors. The adverse impacts are being observed in the form of long-term decline of groundwater levels, de-saturation of aquifer zones, and increased energy consumption for lifting water from progressively deeper levels and quality deterioration in different parts of the country. In recent years, the problem of salinity and contamination of groundwater in India and adjoining countries with arsenic, fluoride, nitrate, iron etc. has received considerable attention. The present paper discusses the problem of drinking water in coming days, due to low groundwater reserve and contamination of groundwater in zones where the reserve is in high abundance, emphasizing the urgent need for the planners and policy makers to take necessary steps to overcome the challenge.