A recent survey conducted by the Board in and around the city indicates that, with just a couple of exceptions, quality of underground water in the city is within the permissible pollution limits.

The survey was based on water samples collected from 76 tubewells and 25 handpumps in various parts of the city and Sukhna Lake in March this year and tested in the mobile laboratory. Seven Board scientists analysed water samples and evaluated the purity level.

Analysis of water samples drawn from Burail shallow handpumps indicates the presence of high electrical conductivity of 1,240 against prescribed limit of 500 to 1,000 micro molecules per centimetre. Such water is unsuitable for human consumption. Officials attributed it to presence of rust on handpump pipes which were unused for months together.

But the finding reveals the iron content in the water below the prescribed standards and ranging between 0.3 parts per million (ppm) to 2.05 ppm. The content of the fluoride in underground water ranges between 0.02 ppm to 0.30 ppm against the standard limit of 1.5 ppm. The presence of fluoride above the prescribed limit reduces dental carries but very high concentrations may lead to a crippling bone-disorder.

The survey also finds nitrate in groundwater under permissible limit of 100 ppm; it varies between 0.09 to 50 ppm. However, Burail water is highly turbid, say findings.

Expressing satisfaction over the purity of ground water in the city, Central Ground Water Board Regional Director M.M. Mehta told Newsline that the pollution level of water in Delhi, Faridabad and Ludhiana was much higher than in Chandigarh.

When asked to comment on the bacterial tests, he said the survey was aimed at determining the extent of toxic materials in groundwater and did not examine bacterial presence.

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