Context:
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices to the governments of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh regarding sewage contamination in drinking water systems, following reports of serious public health risks and environmental violations.
Key Highlights:
NGT Intervention
- The NGT took suo motu cognisance of multiple reports highlighting sewage mixing with drinking water pipelines.
- Notices were issued to:
- State governments of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh
- Relevant municipal bodies and agencies.
- These authorities have been directed to file affidavits explaining the situation and remedial steps.
Affected Cities
- In Rajasthan, contamination has been reported in:
- Udaipur
- Jodhpur
- Kota
- Banswara
- Jaipur
- Ajmer
- Bora
- Other affected areas include:
- Greater Noida (Uttar Pradesh)
- Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh)
Public Health Impacts
- Residents in Greater Noida reported symptoms such as:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- In Bhopal, drinking water samples tested positive for E. coli bacteria, indicating sewage contamination.
Infrastructure Failures
- Old and corroded pipelines are allowing sewage to leak into drinking water systems.
- Photographs showed drinking water pipelines passing through open sewage drains, posing major health risks.
- Contamination has also been detected in tube wells due to sewage leakage.
Regulatory Action
- The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has been asked to respond to the issue.
- The contamination potentially violates:
- Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
- Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
Environmental and Health Concerns
- Drinking contaminated water increases the risk of waterborne diseases, including:
- Cholera
- Typhoid
- Dysentery
- Gastrointestinal infections.
Relevant Prelims Points:
- National Green Tribunal (NGT)
- Established under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010.
- Specialised judicial body dealing with environmental disputes and enforcement of environmental laws.
- Ensures speedy disposal of environmental cases.
- Suo Motu Cognisance
- Power of a court or tribunal to initiate legal action on its own without a formal complaint.
- Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
- Umbrella legislation for environmental protection and pollution control in India.
- Enacted after the Bhopal Gas Tragedy.
- Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
- Provides legal framework for preventing and controlling water pollution.
- Established Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs).
- E. coli (Escherichia coli)
- Bacteria commonly found in the intestines of humans and animals.
- Presence in water indicates faecal contamination.
Relevant Mains Points:
Governance Challenges in Urban Water Management
- Aging urban water infrastructure.
- Poor maintenance of sewage and water pipelines.
- Lack of integrated water and sanitation planning.
- Weak monitoring and enforcement by local authorities.
Environmental and Public Health Implications
- Spread of waterborne diseases.
- Increased healthcare burden on urban populations.
- Degradation of urban environmental quality.
Institutional and Policy Gaps
- Poor coordination between municipal bodies, pollution control boards, and state governments.
- Lack of adequate wastewater treatment facilities.
Way Forward
- Modernize urban water supply and sewage infrastructure.
- Implement real-time water quality monitoring systems.
- Strengthen wastewater treatment capacity in cities.
- Improve institutional coordination between CPCB, SPCBs, and urban local bodies.
- Promote citizen reporting and transparency in water management.
UPSC Relevance:
- GS Paper II: Governance – urban water management and institutional accountability.
- GS Paper III: Environment – water pollution control and environmental regulation.
- Prelims: NGT, Environment Protection Act 1986, Water Act 1974, E. coli contamination.