In one city area, the level of cadmium in the groundwater was 15 times more than the WHO limit.
What’s it about? Groundwater samples collected from 45 locations in the city before and after the monsoon showed cadmium and nickel levels were 15 and 7 times higher than the WHO standards in Nagalkeni of Pammal. The data was revealed in the Groundwater for Sustainable Development journal.
- Among large cities, some 2018 studies showed Chennai is the most vulnerable to heavy metal concentration in groundwater. It was part of a broader study on household expenditure on water.
- It examined the accessibility, availability, and affordability of drinking water to households where the groundwater was contaminated. Pammal is the most vulnerable to heavy metal contamination.
Analysis: Poor quality groundwater increases household expenditure on water. Apart from bottled water, people spend on water purifiers. The data and analysis will help design better land-use regulations to promote the sustainable use of groundwater.