Ganga's Water Quality Deteriorating

• 11 Nov 2024

Why in News?

Recently, The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has observed that the water quality in the Ganga in Uttar Pradesh is deteriorating because of the discharge of sewage or sullage into the river.

Key Points

• NGT's Concerns:
  • The NGT reviewed the sewage treatment situation in Uttar Pradesh, finding a 128 million litres per day (MLD) gap in sewage treatment in Prayagraj district.
    • The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) report revealed that 25 untapped drains in Prayagraj discharge untreated sewage into the Ganga, while 15 others discharge into the Yamuna.
    • Out of 326 drains in Uttar Pradesh, 247 are untapped and discharge wastewater into the Ganga and its tributaries.
• NGT's Directives:
  • The NGT ordered the Uttar Pradesh chief secretary to submit an affidavit detailing each drain's sewage, connected sewage treatment plants (STPs), and timelines for making STPs functional.
  • The affidavit should also include short-term measures to prevent untreated sewage discharge.
• Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) Issues:
  • The CPCB report indicated that six out of 41 STPs in 16 Ganga-front towns are non-operational, and only one of the 35 functional plants complies with regulations.
  • The water quality at 41 locations showed faecal coliform levels exceeding safe limits (500/100 ml), with 17 locations exceeding 2,500 MPN/100 ml, indicating severe pollution from untreated sewage.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)

• It is a statutory organisation, was constituted in 1974 under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
• CPCB was also entrusted with the powers and functions under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
• It serves as a field formation and also provides technical services to the Ministry of Environment and Forests and Climate change of the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.