Groundwater fails to meet prescribed standards in Leh

Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Leh, Tashi Gyalson, has said that many groundwater samples in Leh town have failed in recent times.

He said that the levels of groundwater contamination in Leh town were increasing with several samples from private and government borewells failing to meet prescribed standards.

A meeting was convened to address the pressing issues of groundwater water quality in Leh in which these remarks were made. Deputy Chairman of Hill Council Tsering Angchuk; Executive Councillor Ghulam Mehdi; Principal Secretary Vasanthakumar Namasivayam; Administrative Secretary Michael M D’Souza; Deputy Commissioner Le Santosh Sukhadeve; Deputy Director Geology Mohd Aslam; water quality expert Parikh Shukla; Superintendent Engineer Jal Shakti Department Mohammad Aslam; were present during the meeting.

The progress of the water treatment plant under construction at Choglamsar was thoroughly reviewed with the primary goal of ensuring clean and reliable water supply to Leh town. The meeting included an in-depth discussion on the advantages and challenges of centralised versus decentralised sewage treatment systems.

Additionally, there was a comprehensive review of the upcoming second phase of the sewage treatment plant (STP) near the airport. Principal Secretary Vasanthakumar and Secretary Michael D’Souza stressed the need for a deeper investigation into the sources for effectively resolve water quality issues.

The CEC highlighted the importance of conducting a detailed study on groundwater availability, movement and aquifer characteristics to ensure long-term sustainability of water resources and effective management strategies.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to addressing the critical issues of groundwater quality in Leh, with a focus on ensuring a safer and healthier environment for the community.

Several proposed solutions were discussed, including a plan to conduct extensive groundwater testing at multiple locations. The Jal Shakti Department will undertake comprehensive testing to assess water quality and mitigate potential health risks.