The WHO guidelines dictate that river water containing fecal coliform bacteria exceeding 1000MPN/100ml should be avoided even for the purpose of irrigating crops, owing to the potential risks associated with consuming uncooked agricultural produce that may harbor pathogens, as highlighted in the recently presented annual survey report on the health of rivers by the Bihar State Pollution Control Board (BSPCB) in the state legislature.
The report, which conducted sample checks at 98 different points along various rivers including the Ganga, Sone, Kosi, and Bagmati across 27 districts, unveiled alarming levels of fecal coliform bacteria in the water. For instance, the water sample from the Sirasia River at Raxaul exhibited an alarming presence of approximately 2,40,000 most probable number (MPN)/100ml.
According to UC Samal, an internal medicine specialist and former head of the cardiology department at Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), exposure to water with elevated levels of fecal coliform bacteria heightens the risk of contracting illnesses such as fever, nausea, or stomach cramps, particularly if the contaminants enter the body through the mouth, ears, nose, or wounds. Furthermore, prolonged exposure or ingestion of such contaminated water may lead to severe ailments including typhoid, hepatitis, gastroenteritis, and ear infections, Samal cautioned.
The BSPCB report, based on surveys conducted until December last year, underscored the concerning levels of fecal coliform bacteria across various stretches of rivers in Bihar. For instance, samples from the Ganga River exhibited fecal coliform bacteria counts ranging from 28,000 to 92,000 MPN/100ml, with relatively lower levels recorded in Lakhisarai. Similarly, elevated levels of fecal coliform bacteria were detected in the Sone and Gandak rivers, raising significant public health concerns.
To address this pressing issue, the state government has embarked on several initiatives aimed at curbing the discharge of untreated sewage and draining water directly into the rivers. Projects totaling over ₹1200 crore, including sewage treatment plants (STPs) and drain water management initiatives, have either been completed or are in progress. Authorities hope that once these projects are finalized, they will substantially mitigate river water pollution.
Furthermore, efforts are underway to identify and address the major sources of river pollution, focusing on preparing comprehensive action plans. The state government has allocated ₹4,000 crore, imposed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on the state for its inadequate management of liquid and solid waste, to establish additional STPs, further underscoring its commitment to combatting river pollution.
