Water Quality Management in India

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is the apex organization responsible for setting water quality standards in India.

Municipal wastewater is the primary source of water pollution in India, accounting for approximately 70% of the total pollution load.

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) is commonly used to assess the level of organic pollution in water, as it measures the amount of oxygen required by microorganisms to decompose organic matter.

The maximum permissible limit for BOD in drinking water as per Indian standards is 2 mg/L.

Filtration is commonly used to remove suspended solids from water, as it physically separates the solids from the water using a porous medium.

Coagulation is the process of adding chemicals to water to cause impurities to clump together.

Chlorination is commonly used to kill bacteria and viruses in water, as it is a cost-effective and effective method.

The maximum permissible limit for total coliform bacteria in drinking water as per Indian standards is 0 MPN/100 mL.

Reverse osmosis is commonly used to remove dissolved impurities from water, as it uses a semipermeable membrane to separate the impurities from the water.

Activated carbon adsorption is the process of removing impurities from water by passing it through a bed of activated carbon.

pH is commonly used to assess the level of acidity or alkalinity of water, as it measures the concentration of hydrogen ions in the water.

The maximum permissible limit for pH in drinking water as per Indian standards is 6.5 to 8.5.

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) is commonly used to assess the level of dissolved solids in water, as it measures the amount of dissolved minerals, salts, and organic matter in the water.

The maximum permissible limit for TDS in drinking water as per Indian standards is 500 mg/L.

Total Hardness is commonly used to assess the level of hardness in water, as it measures the amount of calcium and magnesium ions in the water.