Chemical Pollution

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September 9, 2022 Highlights from a new report released by iFOREST
An old coal-fired power plant has been dumping vast quantities of ash out in the open for many years. (Image: Lundrim Aliu/ World Bank; CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
August 27, 2022 Study looks at microplastic types in lakes of Ladakh
(Vinay Goel, Wikimedia Commons)
August 11, 2022 This could lead to water quality crisis reinforcing the need for basin-specific management strategies
Around the world, more than a fifth of nitrogen released by human activity ends up in aquatic ecosystems (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
July 14, 2022 The river is faced with the dual problem of flood plain encroachment and growing levels of water pollution
Illegal transverse check dams (Badhals) built on Ichamati near a village in Basirhat (Image: Prithviraj Nath @ TheWaterChronicles)
June 13, 2022 A CEEW study indicates that forecasting systems helped avert extremely severe air pollution episodes last winter.
(Image: Ville Miettinen, Wikimedia Commons)
May 25, 2022 A study develops a decision support tool to identify polluted river stretches
Ulhas river near Khandpe village (Image: Ganesh Dhamodkar, Wikimedia Commons)
Efficacy, effectiveness and acceptability of closed containers, Moringa oleifera and in-home chlorination - A paper from AJTMH
The study deals with drinking water contamination in rural south India. Posted on 04 Nov, 2011 12:38 PM

This study published in the journal The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (AJTMH) aimed at assessing water contamination and the relative effectiveness of three options for point-of-use water treatment in South India.

Environmental monitoring programme on water quality in Kerala – A report by KSCSTE and CWRDM
Streams receive stress from sewage and organic effluents, as per this study. Posted on 03 Nov, 2011 08:54 PM

water samplingThis report by the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) and Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM) on water quality monitoring in Kerala covers all its forty four river basins. This is being done under the “Environmental Monitoring Programme on Water Quality” under which samples are being collected both from surface and groundwater sources.

Groundwater sampling stations were fixed after conducting a sanitary survey in the panchayats. Water Quality Information System is being developed using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to manage the water quality from point or non-point source of pollution.

In the first phase of the project, three river basins of Kerala viz. Kabbini, Periyar and Neyyar were monitored. The network was later expanded to basins such as Chaliyar, Kadalundi, Meenachil, Karamana, Anjarakandi, Pamba, Muvattupuzha, Bharatapuzha, and Chalakudy. 

Lakes in Mumbai – A draft report by WWF India
Need to conserve and protect the lakes from further degradation, the study says. Posted on 01 Nov, 2011 08:59 PM

Mumbai lakesThis draft report on the study of lakes by the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (India) documents the physical condition of the lakes in Mumbai. Apart from the three lakes - Tulsi, Powai and Vihar that used to provide water to Mumbai residents, there are many lakes in the Bombay Municipal Corporation jurisdiction that are either polluted by human sewage or industrial effluents and have remained neglected with increasing urbanization.

There is very little to no data available on the existence of lakes of Mumbai. Several RTI’s to the government bodies also revealed that there was a lacuna in terms of the availability of the data; as a result most of the water bodies are easily exploited. Under this study the baseline data was prepared with the help of Google Earth website. The areas appearing to be lakes were marked on the Google Earth Images. These were verified by the field staff through onsite visits. The survey was conducted during September and October, 2008 and March, 2009. The study considers only the fresh water lakes which were accessible and saline water impoundments have not been considered.

Chemical fertilizers in our water - An analysis of nitrates in the groundwater in Punjab by Greenpeace
This study by Greenpeace India Society is an initial investigation into the effects of synthetic nitrogen fertilizer on groundwater pollution in intensive agriculture areas in Punjab. Posted on 31 Oct, 2011 09:00 AM

NitratesThe level of nitrate in drinking water was tested from groundwater artesian wells located within farms and surrounded by crops (mostly rice and wheat rotations).

Nitrate pollution in groundwater is associated with nitrogen loads in the environment. In urban areas, it is associated with sewage and in agriculture areas, with livestock sources and nitrogen fertiliser inputs. Nitrate pollution in drinking water can have serious health impact on humans, especially for babies and children. The most significant potential health effects of drinking water contaminated with nitrate are the blue-baby syndrome (methemoglobinemia) and cancer.

Performance of sewage treatment plants - Coliform reduction - Control of urban pollution series - CPCB (2008)
All rivers in the country are polluted, and the water is unfit for drinking without adequate treatment, the study says. Posted on 27 Oct, 2011 12:38 PM

This report presents the findings of a study conducted by CPCB with the help of Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee and Anna University, Chennai  on the performa

Evaluation of operation and maintenance of sewage treatment plants in India - Control of urban pollution series - CPCB (2007)
This study commissioned by the CPCB evaluates the operation and maintenance of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) established under the centrally funded National River Action Plan. Posted on 26 Oct, 2011 03:39 PM

This study was commissioned recognizing the fact that discharge of untreated sewage occurs not only because of inadequate installed capacity of sewage plants, but also due to the inadequate maintenance of existing plants.

Institutionalization of users' level - Water quality monitoring and surveillance in Gujarat - A report by WASMO
This report by the WASMO presents the impact of the Water Quality Monitoring and Surveillance (WQM&S) Programme implemented in Gujarat. Posted on 26 Sep, 2011 11:39 AM

WASMOThe programme focused on community involvement in assessing and evaluating water quality.

Revised guidelines for the centrally sponsored scheme of Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) - Ministry of Environment & Forests, 2011
The Ministry of Environment & Forests has recently revised the guidelines for the centrally sponsored scheme of Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs). Posted on 25 Sep, 2011 06:03 PM


CETP

Image courtesy: www.projectsmonitor.com

Under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, every industry has to provide adequate treatment of its effluents before disposal, irrespective of whether it is in stream, land, sewerage system of sea. The small scale industrial units (SSI), which are presently defined as units whose plant and machinery are valued at less than Rs. 5 crore occupy an important place in the country's economy. The SSIs are a major contributor to the total industrial pollution load of the country. However, only a small fraction of the effluent discharge from these units is estimated to be treated as on date.

Evaluation of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) – A report by Indian Institute of Management Lucknow
The evaluation facilitates reprioritization/ reengineering of CPCB scheme with a view to increasing its efficiency, transparency and accountability. Posted on 25 Sep, 2011 02:41 PM

This evaluation report by the Indian Institute of Management (Lucknow) of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), a central institution established to set environmental standards for all parts of the country focuses on strengthening of CPCB and its preparedness to undertake various measures as suggested by environmental statutes.

Idol immersion without pollution
A citizens' group initiative in Bangalore that is instrumental in reviving a dying lake attempts to protect it with innovative methods during a festival. Posted on 20 Sep, 2011 05:01 PM

Guest post by: Usha Rajagopalan

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