What are the uranium levels in Punjab's groundwater?

Uranium levels in Punjab's groundwater have reached the highest in India, with over 60% of samples exceeding the permissible limit of 30 ppb.

Which districts in Punjab are most affected by uranium contamination?

Sixteen of Punjab's 23 districts are contaminated, with Sangrur and Bathinda showing particularly high concentrations, nearly seven times the safe limit.

What are the health risks associated with uranium in drinking water?

Prolonged consumption of uranium-contaminated water can lead to kidney toxicity, urinary tract cancers, and adverse neurological effects.

Home / Environment / Punjab's Water: Uranium Levels Soar Alarming

Punjab's Water: Uranium Levels Soar Alarming

8 Dec

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Summary

Punjab's groundwater has highest uranium in India.
Uranium levels exceed safe limits in over 60% of samples.
Sangrur and Bathinda show concentrations nearly seven times higher.

Punjab's Water: Uranium Levels Soar Alarming

Groundwater in Punjab has registered the highest uranium concentrations nationwide, according to the Central Ground Water Board's 2025 report. Alarmingly, over 60% of tested samples exceeded the safe limit of 30 parts per billion, a significant jump from previous years, indicating a rapidly worsening situation.

The contamination poses serious health risks, including kidney toxicity and increased cancer risks, with Sangrur and Bathinda districts showing levels nearly seven times the permissible limit. Natural leaching, geological factors, and agricultural practices, particularly the use of phosphate fertilizers, are cited as primary causes for this widespread issue.

Urgent mitigation strategies are recommended, including enhanced water treatment, reduced groundwater extraction, and public awareness campaigns. The report also notes elevated arsenic levels in Punjab, underscoring the need for comprehensive water quality monitoring and intervention across the state.