Water Quality Status and ‘B’ Category Classification
In the latest water quality report released by the Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board (UKPCB), the Ganga river water in Haridwar has been categorized as ‘B’ for November 2024. This classification indicates that the water is unsafe for drinking, though it is deemed suitable for bathing. Water samples are tested from several points along the river as well as on the Uttar Pradesh border every month and ranked according to parameters such as pH, dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand, and total coliform bacteria.
Five-Category Water Classification System
CPCB further classifies river water into five different classes. The quality of the water is least toxic for consumption in the Class ‘A’ and after disinfection. The most polluted water falls in the class ‘E’.
Concerns over Human-Caused Pollution
Local environmental activists and religious leaders have claimed that pollution in the Ganga has been rising and has resulted mainly from human waste, where people have not developed appropriate systems of waste management.
Statewide Initiatives to Combat Pollution
The pollution levels in the Ganga have been a long-standing issue despite various efforts to clean the river. The government of Uttarakhand, along with national bodies, continues to monitor and take corrective measures, such as setting up sewage treatment plants (STPs) along the river’s course. However, challenges persist, particularly with untreated wastewater discharges into the river.
Wider Environmental Impact and Health Risks
This situation points out the larger issues of river contamination in India, especially regarding the Ganga, which is one of the country’s most polluted major rivers. Experts point to the need for more stringent policies and better enforcement of waste treatment measures to reduce the environmental and health risks posed by such pollution.
