Ganga water in Haridwar is 'B' class, unsafe for drinking: Pollution Board

The water of the Ganga river in Haridwar has been classified under the 'B' category by the Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board (UKPCB), making it unsuitable for drinking but safe for bathing. This classification, based on the latest water quality test results for November, was revealed on Wednesday. The UKPCB regularly tests water at eight locations near the Uttar Pradesh border to monitor the river's quality.

Water Quality Monitoring

According to the UKPCB, water quality is classified into five categories ranging from 'A' to 'E'. Category 'A' indicates the least toxicity, suitable for drinking after disinfection, while 'E' signifies the most toxic levels. Rajendra Singh, regional officer of UKPCB, explained the findings: "Central Pollution Control Board has divided the quality of water into 5 classes. On the basis of four parameters (pH, dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen, and total coliform bacteria), the quality of Ganga has been found to be in the 'B' category. This means that the water of Ganga is suitable for bathing."

Concerns Over Pollution

Local priest Ujwal Pandit expressed his concerns about the increasing pollution in the Ganga, attributing it to human waste. He stressed the impact on the river's purity, stating, "By bathing with only Ganga water, the diseases of our body are cured. Diseases like cancer are cured by it. We claim that if you take Ganga water now and check it after 10 years, you will not find any impurity in it. But whatever is coming out regarding the purity of Ganga water is because of human waste and we need to change it."

Wider Pollution Issues in India

The pollution levels in India's rivers, particularly the Yamuna river in Delhi, have been a growing concern. Recently, on December 1, a thick layer of toxic foam was observed floating on the Yamuna, further highlighting the increasing pollution in the country's water bodies.

The findings in Haridwar emphasize the ongoing challenge of maintaining water quality in India's rivers, calling attention to the need for improved pollution control measures.

(Inputs from ANI)