WATER QUALITY IMPROVED DUE TO REDUCED FECAL COLIFORM LEVELS

WATER QUALITY IMPROVED DUE TO REDUCED FECAL COLIFORM LEVELS

26-AUG-ENG 3

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

PATNA------------------------------An improvement in the quality of Ganga water has been recorded during regular inspections at various locations in Bihar. The government claims that water quality has improved following the establishment of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs). On Tuesday, Dr. Ram Chandra Prasad, Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, reviewed the functioning of the Bihar State Pollution Control Board and directed that pollution control standards be enforced more strictly. Senior officials of the Pollution Control Board, including the department's Additional Chief Secretary Anand Kishore, were present at the review meeting.

During the meeting, the Board's Member-Secretary, Neeraj Narayan, provided detailed information regarding the Board's activities and the work being undertaken for environmental conservation in the state. He stated that the Bihar State Pollution Control Board was constituted in November 1974 under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.

The Board regularly collects and analyzes water samples from the Ganga and its tributaries. Improvements in water quality have been noted following the installation of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) in cities situated along the banks of the Ganga. The review revealed that the average fecal coliform level in the Ganga water was recorded at 2199 MPN/100ml, which is below the prescribed standard of 2500 MPN/100ml.

To continuously monitor air pollution in the state, the Board operates a total of 35 Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations across 23 districts. Air quality is regularly assessed through these stations. According to the Board, a 55.15 percent reduction in PM10 concentration has been recorded in 2025-26 compared to the 2022-23 financial year. Meanwhile, a 52.54 percent reduction in PM2.5 concentration was observed during the same period. This is being hailed as a significant achievement towards improving air quality in the state.

To curb pollution, arrangements have been made to supply PNG (Piped Natural Gas) to 58 industrial units across the state. Oil companies have developed a network to supply PNG as a clean fuel in these areas.

During the meeting, Minister Dr. Ram Chandra Prasad commended the work being undertaken by the Board in the field of pollution control. He directed officials to enforce pollution control regulations more strictly, placing special emphasis on the effective compliance of environmental standards.