Legally Defined Water Quality Goals and Contaminant Management in India

This presentation explores India’s legally defined water quality goals, regulatory frameworks, and strategies for managing both conventional and emerging contaminants in aquatic environments. It details constitutional provisions, national water quality standards, effluent discharge norms, and wastewater reuse policies. Case studies from Tamil Nadu, such as industrial water reuse via Tertiary Treatment with Reverse Osmosis and Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) enforcement in Tiruppur, illustrate successful implementation of circular water strategies. The River Ganga rejuvenation under the Namami Gange Mission and Odisha’s 24x7 Drink-from-Tap initiative demonstrate large-scale efforts toward pollution control and safe drinking water delivery. The study identifies critical gaps in the regulation of emerging contaminants like microplastics, PFAS, and pharmaceuticals, underscoring the need for routine monitoring, risk-based guidelines, and science-policy integration. The presentation emphasizes the importance of strengthening regulatory mechanisms and establishing national frameworks to ensure sustainable water quality management in India.