A Critical Analysis on Right to Clean Water with respect to Groundwater Contamination

Ground water is one the Nation’s most naturally available resources. The current scenario as to that of India in this regard to the availability of water is a paradox. The main factors of water crisis which are at worse include drained and contaminated aquifers, drought, etc, which are due to over consumption. The depletion of groundwater is at unsustainable rates. The severity of groundwater contamination is dependent on dumping of industrial wastes, landfills and high concentration of fertilizers and pesticides over the years. These contaminations are aided by the standard of nitrates, fluorides exceeding the limits which are used more than the permissible limit in more than 50% districts in India. There are only few States in India which has enacted groundwater legislation in specific. The laws which are being formulated are only applied to certain restricted areas, thereby they lack effectiveness. The adoption of comprehensive water laws is fatal and need to be constituted for ensuring proper management and conservation of our water resources. Utilization of water must be properly enshrined so as to conservation of water. Ground water management must go hand in hand with issues concerning to contamination as well. This paper discusses on whether right to clean water is to be made as a fundamental right in our Constitution. In addition, the groundwater crisis, issues relating to contamination of ground water, improved technologies to recharge the groundwater and techniques to get rid of contamination are being discussed.