Amaravati ground water highly contaminated: Study

Vijayawada, Nov 02: Amaravati, the upcoming capital of the state, is likely to face drinking water scarcity as its ground water is highly polluted, according to a study. The city will come up on the right bank of River Krishna. According to a study conducted by Andhra University, Indian Institute of Remote Sensing and KL University, the groundwater in the villages that fall under the capital region contain pollution indicators like total dissolved salts, nitrates and fluorides beyond the prescribed limits. The water alkalinity is found between 200 mg to 400 mg per litre. Similarly, Chlorine content is also higher than the prescribed limits. In some villages in the capital region, total dissolved salts exceeded 2,000 mg per litre. Groundwater in a majority of the villages in the region is unfit for domestic use and human consumption. Indiscriminate use of fertilisers and pesticides for several decades aggravated the problem. The chemical fertilisers and pesticides leached into the soil and contaminated groundwater.