Patna, March 2: The water of the Ganga river across Bihar has been declared unsafe for bathing due to alarmingly high levels of bacterial contamination, according to the Bihar Economic Survey 2024-25, recently tabled in the state assembly.
The Bihar State Pollution Control Board (BSPCB) regularly monitors water quality at 34 strategic locations along the river Ganga fortnightly. The survey highlighted the troubling presence of a significantly high bacteriological population, notably total coliform and faecal coliform, primarily caused by untreated sewage and domestic wastewater discharged from cities located on the banks of the Ganga and its tributaries.
Prominent towns along the Ganga river, including Buxar, Chapra (Saran), Patna, Danapur, Mokama, Begusarai, Khagaria, Bhagalpur, Munger, and Kahalgaon, contribute significantly to sewage discharge affecting water quality.
According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) standards, the permissible limit for faecal coliform in river water is 2,500 MPN/100 ml. However, recent BSPCB data revealed alarming contamination levels:
The pollution board has intensified surveillance, recently collecting 2,561 water, sewage, and effluent samples from various industrial and residential sources for quality assessment.
As the Bihar government steps up efforts to curb pollution, ensuring effective sewage treatment remains critical for restoring Ganga’s water quality and public health safety across the state.
The Bihar State Pollution Control Board (BSPCB) regularly monitors water quality at 34 strategic locations along the river Ganga fortnightly. The survey highlighted the troubling presence of a significantly high bacteriological population, notably total coliform and faecal coliform, primarily caused by untreated sewage and domestic wastewater discharged from cities located on the banks of the Ganga and its tributaries.
Ganga Water Quality Alarming: Key Findings
While parameters like pH (acidity or basicity), dissolved oxygen, and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) remain within permissible limits—indicating suitability for aquatic life, fisheries, wildlife propagation, and irrigation—the elevated bacterial content makes the river water unsuitable for human bathing.Prominent towns along the Ganga river, including Buxar, Chapra (Saran), Patna, Danapur, Mokama, Begusarai, Khagaria, Bhagalpur, Munger, and Kahalgaon, contribute significantly to sewage discharge affecting water quality.
Faecal Coliform Levels Significantly Above Permissible Limits
Expressing concern over the findings, BSPCB Chairman D K Shukla stated, "The presence of faecal coliform bacteria in the Ganga is a major public health concern. These bacteria originate from untreated sewage and pose a high risk of disease transmission."According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) standards, the permissible limit for faecal coliform in river water is 2,500 MPN/100 ml. However, recent BSPCB data revealed alarming contamination levels:
- Kachchi Dargah-Bidupur Bridge: 3,500 MPN/100 ml
- Gulabi Ghat: 5,400 MPN/100 ml
- Triveni Ghat: 5,400 MPN/100 ml
- Gaighat: 3,500 MPN/100 ml
- Kewala Ghat: 5,400 MPN/100 ml
- Gandhi Ghat (NIT): 3,500 MPN/100 ml
- Hathidah: 5,400 MPN/100 ml
Pollution Control Measures Underway
BSPCB is proactively addressing the issue by closely monitoring sewage treatment plants (STPs) across the state. Shukla said, "We have instructed concerned authorities to expedite construction and operation of sewage treatment plants, ensuring untreated sewage does not contaminate the river further."The pollution board has intensified surveillance, recently collecting 2,561 water, sewage, and effluent samples from various industrial and residential sources for quality assessment.
As the Bihar government steps up efforts to curb pollution, ensuring effective sewage treatment remains critical for restoring Ganga’s water quality and public health safety across the state.