Despite efforts to clean up the Ganges River in India, the river considered to be the most polluted in the world is getting filthier, researchers say.  

According to a report by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the water quality of the 1,569-mile river has worsened, particularly in places between Haridwar and Kanpur.

In those areas, there is a heavy presence of fecal coliform bacteria and other pollutants in the river that is known locally as the Ganga, including heavy metals and pesticides, according to the study. 

The report says the river is blocked and damned at many places and water has been diverted for various uses. As a result, the water does not flow well, compromising the quality and ecological sanctity of the waterway.

At a Glance

• A recent study finds that the Ganges River is dirtier than it has ever been.
• The study detailed the amount of fecal material, heavy metals and other pollutants that are contaminating the holy river.
• The river supports over 500 million people, some of whom drink the water as a health elixir.

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Raw, untreated sewage amounting to 220 million gallons per day is being dumped into the river in a 320-mile stretch between Haridwar and Kanpur, the report says. The area is also home to 1,072 industries that regularly dump pollutants into the river. 

The report says the fecal coliform content should be less than 2500 MPN/100 ml and noted that in a part of Kanpur last year, it reached 20,889. This year, it reached 40,000 at the same location.

Water Source for Millions

The Ganges supports more than 500 million people who live along the river and is used as a dumping ground for household and industrial waste and as a toilet for millions, according to Ganga Action Parivar. Despite the filth that contaminates the Ganges, the river is considered holy to Hindus, who believe the river can cleanse them of sin. Believers drink the water as a healing elixir. 

(PHOTOS: Sacred River Resembles a Sewer)

In 2013, over 100 million people took a bath in the waters of the Ganges during the month-long holy festival of Maha Kumbha, popularly known as the largest gathering of humanity.

In 1985, the government began the Ganga Action Plan in an effort to completely clean up the filthy water. Despite efforts, the river continues to environmentally deteriorate.

Solutions

In lieu of their findings, the CPCB suggests installing flow measuring systems in 30 storm-water drains carrying sewage and other wastes along the Ganges to assess the quality of the water being discharged. They further recommend that the drains be maintained and regularly dredged to remove pollutants to avoid additional adverse environmental impacts. 

They also recommended that until full-fledged sewage treatment plants are built, local authorities should be required to set up intermediary systems within the next six months to treat sewage flowing in the drains in an effort to reduce the pollutant load. 

Critics of India's plan to clean up "Mother Ganga" say unless the river's flow is restored to clear out pollutants, nothing will improve the health of the river, reports chinadialogue.net. 

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