Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) initiated the exercise of identifying Polluted River Stretches (PRS) in the country since 2009 based on the river water quality monitored during the past years on periodic basis. So far, CPCB has published 4 such periodic reports in the year 2009, 2015, 2018 and 2022. As per the latest information available on the PRS report published by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in November 2022, 311 polluted river stretches were identified on 279 rivers in 30 States/Union Territories.

The number of PRSs has decreased from 351 identified in the year 2018 to 311 in the year 2022. Further, 106 PRSs have been delisted and improvement in water quality of 74 polluted river stretches have been observed in 2022 as compared to the report published in 2018. The state-wise status of river pollution throughout the country, including Maharashtra is available at:

https://cpcb.nic.in/openpdffile.php?id=UmVwb3J0RmlsZXMvMTQ5NF8xNjcxNzc3ODg2X21lZGlhcGhvdG8xODc0Ni5wZGY=

The existing water quality monitoring mechanisms, comprising both manual sampling under the National Water Quality Monitoring Programme (NWMP) and Real-Time Water Quality Monitoring Stations (RTWQMS) in Ganga Basin have played a significant role in tracking and managing river water pollution across the country. As per the CPCB, water quality data is obtained from the manual water quality monitoring carried out under NWMP and it is utilized for identification of PRS. Further, these stations help us in assessing the polluted river stretches and preparation of action plans for these stretches.

CPCB in collaboration with State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) in the States and Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) in Union Territories has established a National Water Quality Monitoring Network (NWMP) in order to regularly assess status of water quality of water resources to facilitate prevention and control of pollution in water bodies. CPCB at present monitors water quality of aquatic resources at 4736 locations across the country which includes 2155 locations on 645 rivers. Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) monitors water quality of aquatic resources at 252 locations which includes 156 locations on 57 rivers.

 

In order to ensure transparency and accuracy of data the following measures are taken:

• Water samples are analyzed for Surface water & groundwater parameters as per Guidelines for Water Quality Monitoring, 2017 issued by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).
• Water samples are tested in National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) accredited labs to ensure accuracy.
• Auditing of monitoring locations under NWMP is annually carried out by CPCB through its Regional Directorates.
• State Board laboratories participate in the Analytical Quality Control (AQC) carried out by CPCB for proficiency testing.
• The water quality data is posted on CPCB website at https://cpcb.nic.in/nwmp-data/.

This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today. 

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MAM/SMP/NM

(Rajya Sabha US Q2487)

(Release ID: 2155023)