Ganga’s contamination still alarmingly high not meeting standard for bathing

New Delhi Despite the number of steps taken by the government, the contamination level in the Ganga is alarming and fails to meet the standard for bathing.

These remarks were made by none other than the government agency, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) while submitting its report to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) at a time when crores of people have taken a holy dip in the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj.

On Monday, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that river water quality did not conform with the primary water quality for bathing concerning Fecal Coliform (FC) at all monitored locations on various occasions.

The report said the river water quality did not conform to the bathing criteria regarding biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) during monitoring carried out on January 12-13.

The report, filed on February 3, indicates a significant rise in “faecal coliform bacteria” during the Maha Kumbh Mela.

The report also said that a huge number of people taking baths in Ganga during Maha Kumbh, especially on auspicious days, led to an increase in faecal concentration.

It said the sewage treatment plants (STPs) in the area were generally operational, the report noted that contamination levels spiked during the Shahi Snans and other key rituals of the festival.

The tribunal, led by Justice Prakash Shrivastava, former Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court, reviewed the findings and summoned officials from the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) to appear virtually on Wednesday.

The officials are required to explain the measures taken in response to the rising pollution levels. The tribunal had previously ordered the UPPCB to submit a detailed compliance report, but the board only provided water test results showing high faecal contamination.

As a result, the NGT has given the UPPCB additional time to submit a comprehensive report and has instructed key officials to attend the next hearing on February 19.

What is faecal coliform bacteria?

Faecal coliform bacteria are found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals and humans. They are commonly used as indicators of potential contamination in water, as their presence suggests that the water may also contain harmful pathogens, such as viruses, parasites, or other bacteria, that originate from faecal matter or stool that is excreted from the intestines of animals and humans.

During the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela, the CPCB report indicates that faecal coliform levels are far above the safe limit of 2,500 units per 100 millilitres, making the river particularly dangerous for those entering it.

With millions of pilgrims flocking to Prayagraj for this occasion, the risk of waterborne diseases has increased significantly. The situation is made worse by the discharge of untreated sewage from surrounding areas, making the water unsafe for direct contact.

Faecal coliforms are often tested for in water quality assessments to determine whether water is safe for drinking, swimming, or other recreational activities.