Chandigarh: Chandigarh’s groundwater appears to have remained largely free of sewage and significant organic pollution in the latest pre-monsoon assessment, with samples collected from eight monitoring stations showing satisfactory water quality.The half-yearly monitoring report of the Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee (CPCC), based on sampling conducted in April 2026, covered locations across residential, industrial and peripheral areas. The pH ranged between 7.4 and 7.7 at all eight stations, well within the 6.5-8.5 range generally prescribed for drinking water.More significantly, biological oxygen demand (BOD) and total suspended solids (TSS) were below detection limits at all monitored locations, indicating the absence of significant organic load or suspended pollutants in the sampled groundwater. Faecal coliform levels were also below detection limits across all eight stations, suggesting no detectable sewage or sanitary contamination.Chemical oxygen demand (COD), another indicator of oxidisable pollutants, remained relatively low, ranging between 8 and 13 mg/l.Why it matters“Groundwater is an important buffer for the city’s water security, particularly during periods when surface water availability is constrained. The absence of detectable faecal contamination is particularly significant because sewage leakage and poorly maintained drainage systems can contaminate shallow aquifers in urban areas,” said a senior UT official.The findings indicate that, at the monitored locations, groundwater showed no signs of substantial contamination from organic waste or sewage during the pre-monsoon sampling period.“Pre-monsoon monitoring is vital, as groundwater levels are typically at their lowest and contaminant concentrations can peak. The clean readings, particularly the absence of coliform bacteria and organic pollutants, underscore the effectiveness of Chandigarh’s waste-management and urban-planning systems in protecting groundwater from industrial runoff and sewage leakage,” the official added.BOX1- Key Findings from the Monitoring DataThe scientific assessment evaluated several critical water quality parameters to ensure public safety and environmental health:Balanced pH Levels: neutral to mildly alkaline conditionsLow Chemical Load: permissible environmental thresholds.Zero Significant Organic Pollution: aquifers are free from heavy organic waste.No Sewage Contamination: complete absence of sewage or sanitary contamination in the monitored groundwater.BOX2-graphicsParameter | Near dumping ground | Palsora | Dhanas | Sector 35 | Sector 20pH | 7.4 | 7.6 | 7.6 | 7.4 | 7.7COD | 11 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 12BOD | BDL | BDL | BDL | BDL | BDLTSS | BDL | BDL | BDL | BDL | BDLF.Coli | <2 | <2 | <2 | <2 | <2
