World Water Day: Pollution aggravates water scarcity in India

Over 70 pc of India’s surface water contaminated

India's rivers, deeply intertwined with the nation’s cultural, spiritual and daily life, are facing a dire pollution crisis. Dozens of sacred waterways like the Ganga and Yamuna, which are also the lifelines of the country, are increasingly contaminated by untreated sewage, industrial waste, and urban runoff. This pollution threatens both the health of millions of people who depend on these rivers and the delicate ecosystems they support.

India is home to a vast number of revered rivers, deeply embedded for centuries in the country’s cultural, spiritual, and socio-economic fabric. These rivers, such as the Ganga, Yamuna, Narmada and Godavari, are not only sacred to millions but also serve as a critical source of water for households, agriculture and industries.

However, these vital water sources are now facing a crisis, driven largely by reckless usage and other human activities.

The pollution of India’s rivers has escalated due to multiple factors, such as untreated sewage discharge, religious waste, industrial effluent, and urban runoff. A stark reminder of this degradation came in 2022, when the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported that over half of India’s 605 rivers were found to be polluted. The situation is more severe in major river systems, which millions depend on for drinking water, irrigation, and daily needs.

This year, a research conducted by the Central Pollution Control Board, says that a significant number of Indian river stretches remain polluted, with Maharashtra having the highest number of polluted stretches, followed by Madhya Pradesh. The Ganga and Yamuna, among other rivers, face severe pollution issues, with discharge of sewage and industrial waste being major contributors.

“One of the main reasons behind river pollution is the direct dumping of untreated or poorly treated sewage into these waterways. Urban areas along rivers like Ganga and Yamuna produce massive amounts of wastewater. Sadly, a large chunk of this sewage ends up in the rivers without adequate treatment, resulting in high levels of organic matter, pathogens, and nutrients. This contamination poses serious health risks to local communities and disrupts aquatic ecosystems,” says Sandeep Chachra, Executive Director, ActionAid Association, an NGO which conducts community-based action research on the impact of climate change, tells Media India Group.

One of the most significant spiritual events in India, the Maha Kumbh Mela, that was held earlier this year, highlighted the severe pollution of the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati at the confluence of the rivers. The site, which hosted tens of millions of pilgrims, became a centre of concern during the event due to high levels of contamination. According to data from the CPCB and the National Green Tribunal (NGT), untreated sewage discharge and the sheer volume of human activity led to alarming levels of pollution.

Among the most concerning pollutants was the high faecal coliform count, a measure of waterborne bacteria that can cause serious health issues. The permissible threshold for safe bathing in such waters is 2,500 MPN (Most Probable Number) of faecal coliform per 100 ml of water. However, in January 2025, water quality tests at the Sangam recorded levels as high as 49,000 MPN/100 ml, with similarly high readings at various other bathing ghats. These alarming figures underscored the dire situation of river pollution in India, particularly in areas that attract massive religious gatherings.

The Yamuna, which serves as the lifeline for India’s capital, Delhi, is another example of a river on the brink of ecological collapse. A parliamentary report highlighted the degradation of the river’s ecosystem, revealing that 23 out of 33 monitored sites, including several within Delhi, failed to meet primary water quality standards. The river, which is also a source of drinking water for millions of Delhi’s residents, has become so polluted that much of the water is not only unsafe for consumption but also unable to support aquatic life.

Despite decades of work and significant investments under the Ganga Action Plan, the sewage treatment gap remains at approximately 1,500 million litres per day (MLD).

For millions of low-income households in urban and rural India, access to clean water remains a struggle. Many rely on water tankers to meet their daily needs. However, the supply of water through tankers is inconsistent. Tanker services often fail to arrive on time, leaving families without water for days. This situation is particularly dire in slum areas, where people already face multiple challenges related to poverty, sanitation and healthcare. In such conditions, the absence of clean water exacerbates public health problems, as contaminated water is a breeding ground for diseases like cholera, dysentery and typhoid.

“Earlier the water tanker used to come twice a week, for around 40-50 people living in our slum, which is already very less. Now-a-days even that has stopped. Some days we see the tanker just pass our slum without stopping. When we complained, the driver told us to talk to the officials. Even that did not work,” Rajiv, a rickshaw puller living in Jasola Vihar slum in south Delhi, tells Media India Group.

The crisis is further deepened by the degradation of India’s rivers. According to the World Bank, approximately 70 pc of India’s surface water is polluted, contributing to severe water scarcity in many regions. Over 100 billion litres of untreated sewage are dumped into Indian rivers every day, and industrial waste continues to contaminate these water bodies with hazardous chemicals. For example, the Ganga, which is one of the most important rivers for both religious and practical purposes, is heavily contaminated with industrial effluents, untreated sewage, and religious waste, all of which contribute to its deteriorating water quality.

The situation is worsening as industrial growth and urbanisation increase the pressure on India’s already strained water systems. Despite government and civil society efforts to clean up rivers, progress has been slow, and the damage to these rivers is becoming irreversible.

“While financial allocations have been made by the government under various schemes over the years to clean river water, effective implementation remains a challenge,” says Chachra.

Without urgent action, India’s rivers, the lifeblood of the nation, risk becoming irreparably degraded, with severe consequences for public health, the economy and the environment.