Water Pollution by Organic Contaminants and Their Control Measures

Water in its natural form occurs rarely in nature and is commonly found to contain wide variety of constituents. The quality of water is categorized as hydrogeological, physico-chemical and biological in nature. Ninety-five percent of all fresh water on earth is ground water. Ground water is found in natural rock formations. These formations, called aquifers, are a vital natural resource with many uses. Water used for drinking purposes is regUlated in terms of physico-chemical, health related, nutrient bacteriological and radioactive parameters. Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), World Health Organisation (WHO), European (EU) and many other countries have regulated the standards! gUidelines for maintaining the desired water quality. When the water quality exceeds these norms the status is termed as water pollution. This paper presents information on water pollution by organic contaminants, particUlarly pesticides in the ground water and their control measures. The status of pesticide residues in ground water of Vidarbha region has been detailed. Samples have been collected from grond water bodies like open wells and tube wells, which serve as a drinking water source for consumers residing near the agricultural fields. Nearly 35 pesticides have been monitored, which include organochlorines, organophosphates, synthetic pyrethroids and herbicides. A tap attachable pesticide removal unit is designed for the removal of some selected pesticides found under Indian conditions.