Pollution Levels in the Hindon River 

The Hindon River has been classified as one of the most polluted rivers in India, with critical levels of contamination in both surface water and groundwater. Below are key findings on pollution levels from the report:

1. Surface Water Pollution
•    The Hindon River is classified as a "Priority-I" polluted river by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) due to high Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) levels ranging between 24 to 80 mg/L, which is far above the acceptable limit of 3 mg/L for bathing water.
•    Before 1980, people used to drink water directly from the Hindon, but now it is reduced to an open drain carrying effluents from industries, municipalities, and sewage systems.
•    Major pollutants include:
o    Heavy metals (Lead, Chromium, Cadmium, Nickel, Iron, Manganese)
o    Industrial chemicals (Sulphur dioxide, Hydrochloric acid, Magnesium, Calcium, Phosphates)
o    Pesticides (Endosulfan, Heptachlor, Fipronil, Gamma-BHC)
o    Sewage and organic waste (High BOD, fecal coliform)
Water Quality Data (2010)
Location    DO (mg/L)    BOD (mg/L)    Total Coliform (MPN/100mL)
Hindon (Meerut)    1.2    18.8    1,935,000
Hindon (Ghaziabad)    0.3    75.0    168,333
Hindon (Baparsi Village)    No Value    48.0    166,000
•    Dissolved Oxygen (DO) is critically low (below 4 mg/L, the survival threshold for aquatic life).
•    Fecal Coliform levels exceed safe limits by over 30 times, making the water unfit for human use.

2. Groundwater Pollution
•    Toxic chemical inflows have contaminated groundwater, leading to widespread health issues, including cancer, digestive disorders, and skin ailments.
•    A 2015 study by the UP Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) found 48 water samples in Baghpat district heavily contaminated with lead, manganese, and magnesium beyond permissible limits.
•    Arsenic contamination in Jalalpur village (Baghpat) was recorded at 40 mg/L, which is 4000 times above the acceptable limit.
•    In Ghaziabad, the groundwater development level had reached 105% in 2011, indicating over-extraction and deteriorating water quality.
Heavy Metal Concentrations in Groundwater
Heavy Metal    Acceptable Limit    Detected Levels
Lead (Pb)    0.10 mg/L    1.79 mg/L (HS-2 site, Hindon)
Chromium (Cr)    0.10 mg/L    12.25 mg/L (HS-12 site, Hindon)
Cadmium (Cd)    0.005 mg/L    0.047 mg/L (KrS-17 site, Krishni River)
•    Chromium levels were found to be dangerously high at multiple locations, exceeding CPCB limits by over 100 times.

3. Industrial and Agricultural Pollution Sources
•    Major sources of pollution:
o    Industries: Sugar mills, paper mills, chemical plants, and tanneries discharge untreated effluents into the river.
o    Agriculture: Runoff from chemical fertilizers and pesticides (including banned substances) enters the river system.
o    Urban Waste: Ghaziabad and Meerut contribute large volumes of sewage and solid waste to the river.

4. Key Observations
•    Ghaziabad and Meerut sections of the river are the worst affected due to high urbanization and industrialization.
•    Villagers along the riverbank have stopped using groundwater for drinking due to health concerns.
•    Heavy metal contamination is consistently above permissible limits, making the water unsafe for consumption or agricultural use.