Open House: What needs to be done to check water pollution?

Address source of contamination

Water is necessary for life, but it is under increasing threat from widespread pollution. This has a negative impact not only on ecosystems, but also on human health. Industrial discharge contributes significantly to water pollution because it frequently releases toxic chemicals, heavy metals, and untreated wastewater into waterbodies. This has a devastating effect on local communities that rely on these water sources for drinking and farming. It is disheartening to note that, according to a government survey, there are at least 1,394 points where pollutants are flowing into waterbodies in 23 districts of Punjab, with Ludhiana ranking second. It is worth noting that, in addition to industrial waste, urban runoff transports pollutants such as oil, heavy metals and debris from streets into waterbodies during rains. This influx could overwhelm sewerage, releasing untreated wastewater into rivers and, in the case of Ludhiana, Buddha Nullah, a seasonal tributary of the Sutlej. To eliminate water pollution, we must address the sources of contamination. This will enable us to work towards restoring the health of our critical water resources. Protecting our waterbodies is more than just an environmental issue, it is our responsibility.

Novin Christopher

Have collected data

Information has been collected, district-wise, by the Department of Water Resources on the measures to prevent the pollution in the drains. Many times, untreated water from the villages, municipal committees and other organisations is simply thrown into the rivers and drains which leads to the pollution of water bodies. Krishan Kumar, Principal Secretary, water resources, Punjab

QUESTION

Ludhiana district has finally got representation in the fourth expansion of the 30-month-old Punjab Council of Ministers with Tarunpreet Singh Sond and Hardeep Singh Mundian, both first-time MLAs from Khanna and Sahnewal, respectively, becoming Cabinet Ministers. What are the major issues these ministers should take up on priority?

Suggestions in not more than 200 words can be sent to ludhianadesk@tribunemail.com by Thursday (Oct 3)

Local industries should own up

According to a Punjab survey, polluted water contaminates many freshwater bodies in the state. This has to stop at all costs. The Buddha Nullah remains a casualty. The local industry is largely responsible for the contamination. The industry responsible for discharging polluted water must be warned against it, and if it fails to comply, it must face severe consequences. They must understand that they cannot discharge contaminated water in these bodies. The general public who live near polluted water bodies must also be educated not to use such water on a daily basis. Further, it must be ensured that the public is supplied with fresh drinking water. Consumption of contaminated water is a major reason for spread of many diseases among residents. The supply of clean water to public is the responsibility of the state and it must fulfil this minimum requirement earnestly.

GAUTUAM DEV

Foster community involvement

To address the issue, comprehensive monitoring and assessment of these pollution sources should be prioritised in order to better understand their impact on water quality. This necessitates collaboration among government agencies, local communities and environmental groups. Second, strict enforcement of current environmental regulations is critical. Authorities should conduct regular inspections and levy heavy fines on industries and entities that violate pollution regulations. Creating a transparent reporting system for pollution incidents can also help to hold polluters accountable. Public awareness campaigns are essential for educating communities about the effects of pollution and encouraging responsible behaviour. Furthermore, investment in wastewater treatment infrastructure is required to ensure that all industrial and domestic effluents are treated before being discharged into waterbodies. Finally, fostering community involvement in monitoring and protecting local water bodies can create a sense of stewardship, leading to more effective long-term solutions to combat water pollution.

PARMEET KAUR

It is primarily govt’s responsibility

Water pollution constitutes the contamination of waterbodies which has a negative impact on the ecosystem. It is typically the result of human activities. Waterbodies, include lakes, rivers, oceans and groundwater. To protect fresh water sources such as rivers, proper management of medical waste and toxic chemicals is required. Waste water treatment is an effective method for treating water. Water pollution occurs when contaminants enter the system from one of four major sources. Water pollution can be detected using CDOM monitoring, chlorophyll fluorescence analysis, dissolution oxygen levels, and pH and KH testing. The global coal industry has allocated significant resources to researching and developing new technology and methods of capturing greenhouse gases. Gasification techniques, which are currently in the pilot and demonstration stages, are likely to significantly improve efficiencies and thus reduce CO2 emissions. State governments are primarily responsible for monitoring and correcting pollution of water sources caused by industries

or mines.

SIMRANDEEP SINGH

Do not flush household waste

Punjab, once known as the ‘bread bowl of India’, is now infamously known as the ‘cancer capital of India’, due to the state’s widespread water pollution, which has had a negative impact on human health. Water pollution is the contamination of waterbodies such as rivers, lakes and seas caused by human activity. The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) regularly monitors groundwater quality at 46 locations across the state, with 6.50 per cent classified as very poor and 12.40 per cent as unsuitable for drinking. Fertilizers, farmland runoff and fish farming all contribute to water pollution. Industrial waste can contaminate canals, rivers and other waterbodies, endangering aquatic life. There are numerous ways to prevent water pollution. Do not flush hazardous waste, such as oils, paints, pesticides, flea collars and medicines, down the drain or into storm sewers. Pick up litter and throw it in the trash can. Never use the toilet as a waste basket. Avoid plastic bags. Wash your vehicle in a grassy area where water can flow safely. Plant native plants only to avoid using herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers. Reduce your fertilizer use as much as possible. Use water efficient toilets in your homes. Don’t dump used motor oil on ground or into the sewers. We should promote community action to keep our waterbodies clean. Also we can take action as states and countries to pass laws against water pollution.

RS SEMBHI

Incentivise industries to use cleaner tech

To reduce water pollution in Ludhiana, industrial wastewater management and increased community participation in waste disposal are critical. Ludhiana’s industrial sector particularly textile and dyeing units, contributes significantly to pollution in local water bodies such as the Sutlej. It is critical to implement strict regulations requiring industries to treat their wastewater before releasing it into rivers. Installing efficient effluent treatment plants (ETPs) and conducting regular monitoring to ensure compliance with environmental standards will help to mitigate the negative effects of industrial wastes. The government can also incentivise industries to use cleaner technologies and environmentally friendly practices, lowering overall pollution burden. On the other hand, untreated domestic waste contributes significantly to Ludhiana’s water pollution. To address this issue, awareness campaigns educating the public about proper waste disposal methods and the importance of recycling can help to reduce indiscriminate waste dumping into rivers and drains. Improving municipal sewage treatment infrastructure and encouraging waste segregation at the source are also important steps. Furthermore, involving residents in community clean-up drives and expanding waste collection facilities can significantly reduce pollution levels. Ludhiana can move towards cleaner and safer water resources by combining industrial and community efforts.

TAMANPREET KAUR KHANGURA

Need of water quality monitoring system

Residents are increasingly concerned about widespread water pollution. Here are some strategies to address water pollution, including a regulatory framework. Establish and enforce clear regulations for industries and agriculture to reduce pollutant discharges into water bodies. Water Quality Monitoring: Establish regular monitoring programmes to assess water quality and detect pollution sources early. Public Education Campaigns: Launch initiatives to educate the public about the effects of water pollution and promote responsible behaviour, such as proper waste disposal. Promote sustainable practices: Encourage farmers to use sustainable agricultural practices, such as crop rotation and lower pesticide use, to reduce runoff. Starting with these strategies will allow for the development of a comprehensive approach to effectively combating water pollution.

JAPLEEN KAUR

Dishonesty remains major problem

A recent government survey identified at least 1,394 points where pollutants were entering waterbodies across 23 districts in the state. Amritsar and Ludhiana contribute more pollutants than other districts in the state. This is worrying. The National Green Tribunal and the Punjab Pollution Control Board are now taking the issue very seriously. The NGT recently challenged the state for failing to follow their directives. Although the high court has stayed this order, there are numerous causes for this problem. Among them are our dishonesty, corruption, the nexus between concerned industrial units and employees of the pollution control board, as well as notorious politicians. These causes are known to everyone, including the government and its agencies, but no one is willing to take action to correct the situation. There are some practical solutions to this problem. Residents should not pour fat from cooking or any other oil or grease down the sink, dispose of household chemicals or cleaning agents down the sink or toilet, flush pills, liquids or powder medications. We should install water efficient toilets, use the minimum amount of detergent for washing clothes, minimise the use of pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, and all chemical industries including dying, electro plating should install water treatment units. Move dairies away from human settlements. To ensure clean waterbodies in the state, all stakeholders must address these deficiencies with a strong sense of honesty and integrity. Only the government can accomplish this task with the assistance of all stakeholders.

Sukhdev sharma

Larger units should help clean streams

Residents of Ludhiana face a variety of issues, one of which is water pollution. It causes numerous problems, not only for humans but also for other living creatures. Many organisations and individuals such as Seechewal, have attempted to plug the sources of water pollution, but all have failed. The World Bank approved a grant for cleanup, but no one knows where it went. Day by day, it keeps posing a serious threat to our health. Why hasn’t a solution been found so far? Are we so selfish that we would sacrifice the lives of others for the benefit of some? Are we accountable to the future generations for our inability to provide them with a clean and orderly environment? These are some important issues to address. There have been numerous schemes and committees formed to suggest concrete solutions for the cleanliness of waterbodies, but they have all failed. To spend lakhs on cleanliness, the administration must first plug all of the channels that are dumping waste and releasing polluted water from dying factories, as well as chemical waste from other industrial units. The local administration may take the following measures:

The MC should make it the responsibility of large industrial houses to help clean it. All canals must have fences on both sides so that no one can throw waste into them. All channels that pollute canals and rivers must be closed. Industrial units that pollute these waterbodies should face heavy fines. The situation is utterly disheartening.

Hazar saal mai tareekh sirf itni si badli hai

Pehle daur pathar ka tha ab log hain pathar ke

Dr Mohd Saleem Farooqui

Avoid dumping non-biodegradable waste

To ensure safe drinking water for humans and other animals, we must step forward as rational citizens and perform our duty by warning people not to pollute water by discharging waste. We should avoid disposing of chemicals and paints in sewers. We must also avoid dumping waste and other non-biodegradable materials in canals and rivers. The government should install filters in various canals to ensure that these waterbodies do not pollute the entire water supply. We must use recyclable goods.

Farzana Khan