Guwahati: The scarcity of water is an alarming reality for many regions, including Assam. As the world marks World Water Day today (March 22), the spotlight falls on the urgent need for sustainable water management and conservation efforts.
However, due to rapid urbanisation, industrial pollution, and climate change, Assam, despite its mighty rivers and abundant rainfall, is facing an escalating water crisis.
To understand the depth of this issue, Business North East (BNE) spoke with Arup Kumar Mishra, Chairman of the Pollution Control Board, to gain insights into the ongoing challenges related to water in Assam. “Assam is facing a severe water crisis due to inadequate wastewater treatment, depleting water resources, and increasing industrial pollution,” stated Arup Kumar Mishra.
Mishra highlighted that Assam's rapid urbanisation, and population growth have resulted in massive wastewater mismanagement. "Before even addressing industrial waste, we must first focus on our domestic waste, service centres, and other daily activities. At present, wastewater treatment in Assam is in a deplorable state," said Mishra.
Currently, all untreated wastewater flows into Assam’s vast network of rivers, including the Brahmaputra. The state has 106 urban local bodies, including Guwahati and Dibrugarh municipal corporations, but lacks proper sewage and effluent treatment infrastructure.
He further noted modern multi-storey apartments are replacing Assam-type houses, but these buildings do not incorporate scientific water treatment systems. As a result, wastewater ultimately ends up in rivers and rivulets, worsening water pollution.
He further emphasised that dwindling water resources pose another big concern. "Glacier retreat in the Eastern Himalayas, which contributes to Assam’s water supply, is leading to reduced river flow. This results in drought-like conditions, excessive siltation, and rising riverbeds. People assume Assam has abundant water, but the crisis is intensifying silently," he warned.
The Chairman also pointed out the sharp increase in industrial activities, which has led to chemical contamination of water bodies. "When I joined PCBA three and a half years ago, Assam had about 7,000 industries. Today, that number has surged to 12,000. Industries consume resources and discharge wastewater containing heavy metals such as arsenic," stated Mishra.
This has led to pollution of both surface water (rivers, lakes) and groundwater reserves. "Earlier, people in Guwahati could access groundwater at 100 feet. Now, even at 1,000 feet or deeper, there is no guarantee of fresh water," he added.
To tackle this crisis, the Pollution Control Board has launched new initiatives focusing on traditional and scientific water conservation methods. "We are promoting traditional water conservation techniques like Dong, a pond-based water storage system used by the Bodo community in Kokrajhar and BTR areas," said Mishra.
Another key initiative is enforcing rainwater harvesting. "With the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) and Smart City authorities, we have made it mandatory for new buildings to install rainwater harvesting systems. This will significantly help in water conservation and reduce dependency on groundwater," he further explained.
PCBA has also instructed the Department of Housing and Urban Affairs (DoHUA) to ensure that no untreated wastewater is released into rivers. "We have seen severe pollution in rivers like Kolong in Nagaon, Bogi in Mangaldai, and Bhogdoi in Jorhat due to the lack of wastewater treatment plants. As many as 36 new effluent treatment projects have been sanctioned across Assam to counter this," he added.
Mishra stressed that public awareness is crucial for addressing the water crisis. "People still believe water is a free gift from nature, but it is a valuable resource. If every citizen realises this and takes steps toward conservation, we will see a positive change. While progress is happening, it is slow. We must act swiftly to safeguard Assam’s water resources for the future," stated Mishra.
With increasing urbanisation, industrial expansion, and climate change, the water crisis is a growing concern in Assam. Effective policies, public participation, and sustainable water management practices are essential to prevent further deterioration of the state water resources.
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