River Ganga's Water Quality Has Improved So Much During Lockdown That Now It's Fit To Drink

In May 2019, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) had said that the water from the holy river Ganga was absolutely unfit for "direct drinking".

In October 2019 the UP Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) had stated that the river water unfit even for bathing.

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According to UPPCB the level of Coliform and Fecal Coliform bacteria in the river water was so high that against the maximum permissible limit of 500 MPN (most probable number)/100 ML of water for both bacteria, 40,000 MPN of Coliform and 22,000 MPN of Fecal Coliform bacteria was measured in the Ganga, in Jana village of Kanpur.

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But since March this year, since the country went into lockdown, which also forced the closure of the industries along its banks, the water quality has been improving dramatically.

According to reports, the quality has improved so much that now it is fit for drinking.

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The Times of India quoting BD Joshi, Environmental Scientist and Ex-professor at the Gurukul Kangri University reported that Ganga waters at Rishikesh and Haridwar have become very clean and after a long time that Ganga water has become good for achaman (ritual sipping) in Haridwar.

According to Joshi, the cause behind cleaner Ganga water is a 500 per cent decrease in total dissolved solid (TDS), industrial effluent, dharamshalas, sewage from hotels and lodges.

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In Haridwar, Har Ki Pauri Ghat, which used to be surrounded by lakh of pilgrims per day, is closed for the visitors amid the lockdown to contain coronavirus spread.

"The Ganga is clean and pure today. Fish and other marine life are visible in the water. The ghats are fully clean," Har Ki Pauri temple priest told ANI.

"We all want to see Ganga in such a beautiful state. It is a temporary phase due to lockdown. We will be happy if it remains in such a state even after devotees' visit here," another priest said.

According to experts, the quality has improved by 40-50 percent as compared to earlier.

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One of the major factors attributed to this significant improvement is the shutting down of industries and other manufacturing units that use to discharge large volumes of effluents and toxicants into the river ecosystem.

"There has been 40-50 percent improvement in the quality of water in Ganga," Dr. PK Mishra, Professor at Chemical Engineering and Technology, IIT-BHU told ANI.

"The water quality has improved but the water levels are low. Once the water levels increase, Ganga will appear completely clean" a local resident said.

Besides Kanpur, locals in Varanasi also said that water in the Ganga river has seen improvement in quality as is apparently more clearer.

"There is a lot of difference. Today, the water looks clean. One of the biggest reasons behind this is that today all factories are closed," said a local.

Last week the real-time water monitoring data of the CPCB, showed that out of the 36 monitoring units placed at various points of the Ganga river, the water quality around 27 points was suitable for bathing and propagation of wildlife and fisheries.