Coastal Water Purification Strategies for Agricultural Needs at South 24 Parganas, West Bengal (WB)

The extensive coastline of India includes the South 24 Parganas district measuring one hundred fifty-eight (158) kilometres. Situated near the Bay of Bengal, this region faces issues with high salinity levels in both surface and subsurface water. Data from the Public Health Engineering Department indicates that, since 2017-2018, salinity, Total Dissolved Solids, and Chloride values in groundwater have significantly exceeded acceptable limits for irrigation water. The problem intensified after 2021-2022, adversely affecting the primary source of income for the residents of South 24 Parganas, which could be the agrarian economy. To address this issue and safeguard irrigation water from brackish contamination, recommendations include adopting adaptive agriculture systems, employing hybrid technologies for saline water, desalination, and distillation of brackish water. Among these methods, solar-powered desalination emerges as the most cost-effective solution for this rural and developing area.