Hardev Singh Virk

Abstract:

Punjab State is facing a crisis situation due to high levels of uranium (U) and heavy metals in groundwater of Punjab [1-4]. Anomalous values of Uranium are reported in the nine districts of Malwa region of Punjab with U content higher than the WHO safe limit for drinking water. The origin of these anomalies is attributed to geogenic sources [5]. High values of Arsenic (As) and Selenium (Se) are reported in the Majha and Doaba belts of Punjab, respectively. Groundwater quality has deteriorated due to presence of other heavy metals, such as iron, nickel, cadmium, chromium, aluminium, and lead, and by the presence of anomalous values of basic parameters, such as TDS (total dissolved salts), calcium, magnesium, sulphate, nitrate, chloride and fluoride in certain other areas of Punjab.
Health hazard effects of Uranium and other heavy metals are reported in our study [3, 4]. For sustainable development of Punjab State, mitigation measures have been proposed to get rid of Uranium and heavy metals like Arsenic and Iron. Groundwater contamination problem has been tackled under the World Bank funded project since 2007. The various measures undertaken to supply potable water are RO system, Canal water and AMRIT Technology for mitigation of Arsenic and Iron in the Majha belt.