World Water Monitoring Day: Protecting the water qualities
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Dr N Munal Meitei
Contd from previous issue
Its water usage accounts for 20.1% of global water consumption. The country is ranked 133rd for the amount of water available per person per year. Out of its 1.43 billionpopulation, 35 million people lack access to safe water.
Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 stated that Pollution Control Board both at Centre and State level responsible to restore and maintain the wholesomeness of water bodies in India. The Manipur Pollution Control Board (MPCB) under the provision of Section 4 of the above Act, aim to ensure the people of the state to drink safe water and live in a healthy environment. Thus, MPCB has to address to the environmental problems associated with pollution of water, water bodies and their sources.
Over all, the water quality of Manipur is deteriorating. Almost all the Rivers have changed their dresses with plastics. The River catchments for our rain-fed rivers have lost their green covers due to many anthropogenic activities. Our few left out Lakes are also having the same fate. In reality, for monitoring of WQI, study of catchments also play a crucial role.
In a report, while collecting samples from 51 points, based on physico-chemical parameters like pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS), turbidity, dissolved oxygen, total hardness, the water quality of Imphal West district in terms of its suitability for drinking purposes, it was found that about 43.85% (25), 29.80% (17) and 15.76% (9) of water samples belong to poor, very poor and unsuitability category of WQI. Some variables like conductivity, total dissolved solids, turbidity, chloride, phosphate and sodium were exceeded above their desirable limits for drinking water. This study reveals that the overall water quality of Imphal West district is poor and unsuitable for drinking and needs proper treatment before consumption.
Imphal River, the main sources of water for the people of Manipuris now contaminated due to numerous human activities and there is a need for monitoring regularly to conserve the water system. So, the State Government should take up proper policy program to prevent further degradation of the River since many people depend on the River for drinking and other livelihood activities.
Nambul River which flows through the heart of Imphal city and drains into the Loktak Lake, the mirror of Manipur is also severely affected. A report on WQI analyzed during 2016 shows the ranges from 103.89 to 115.34 and the highest value of 115.34 was recorded from Thong Nambonbi showing the water of the River is unsuitable for drinking. Thus, Nambul River needs proper treatment to conserve the water body from future contamination and pollution. The same is the fate for other Rivers like Thoubal, Iril, Khuga and Sekmai River etc.
Water has been on our planet since time immemorial, showing us how essential it is for us. Therefore, regular water monitoring will take care and improve the quality of water for ourselves and the future generations.
Contd from previous issue
Its water usage accounts for 20.1% of global water consumption. The country is ranked 133rd for the amount of water available per person per year. Out of its 1.43 billionpopulation, 35 million people lack access to safe water.
Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 stated that Pollution Control Board both at Centre and State level responsible to restore and maintain the wholesomeness of water bodies in India. The Manipur Pollution Control Board (MPCB) under the provision of Section 4 of the above Act, aim to ensure the people of the state to drink safe water and live in a healthy environment. Thus, MPCB has to address to the environmental problems associated with pollution of water, water bodies and their sources.
Over all, the water quality of Manipur is deteriorating. Almost all the Rivers have changed their dresses with plastics. The River catchments for our rain-fed rivers have lost their green covers due to many anthropogenic activities. Our few left out Lakes are also having the same fate. In reality, for monitoring of WQI, study of catchments also play a crucial role.
In a report, while collecting samples from 51 points, based on physico-chemical parameters like pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids (TDS), turbidity, dissolved oxygen, total hardness, the water quality of Imphal West district in terms of its suitability for drinking purposes, it was found that about 43.85% (25), 29.80% (17) and 15.76% (9) of water samples belong to poor, very poor and unsuitability category of WQI. Some variables like conductivity, total dissolved solids, turbidity, chloride, phosphate and sodium were exceeded above their desirable limits for drinking water. This study reveals that the overall water quality of Imphal West district is poor and unsuitable for drinking and needs proper treatment before consumption.
Imphal River, the main sources of water for the people of Manipuris now contaminated due to numerous human activities and there is a need for monitoring regularly to conserve the water system. So, the State Government should take up proper policy program to prevent further degradation of the River since many people depend on the River for drinking and other livelihood activities.
Nambul River which flows through the heart of Imphal city and drains into the Loktak Lake, the mirror of Manipur is also severely affected. A report on WQI analyzed during 2016 shows the ranges from 103.89 to 115.34 and the highest value of 115.34 was recorded from Thong Nambonbi showing the water of the River is unsuitable for drinking. Thus, Nambul River needs proper treatment to conserve the water body from future contamination and pollution. The same is the fate for other Rivers like Thoubal, Iril, Khuga and Sekmai River etc.
Water has been on our planet since time immemorial, showing us how essential it is for us. Therefore, regular water monitoring will take care and improve the quality of water for ourselves and the future generations.