The Growing Financial Burden of Micropollutants in Drinking Water in India

Micropollutants may be invisible, but their impact on India’s health, environment, and economy is undeniable. From pharmaceuticals in rivers to pesticides in groundwater, these contaminants are augmenting treatment costs and posing long-term risks. Understanding this growing burden is the first step towards safer drinking water.

What Are Micropollutants in Drinking Water?

Micropollutants are trace chemicals found in water, including pharmaceutical residues, pesticides, heavy metals, personal care products, and industrial chemicals. Even at very low concentrations, they can be harmful to human health, aquatic life, and agriculture.

India’s Growing Challenge

Reports from CPCB, UNICEF, and the World Bank indicate that micropollutants are contaminating India’s drinking water sources, particularly in urban centres and farming regions. Major rivers such as the Ganga, Yamuna, and Brahmaputra report high levels of pharmaceutical residues and industrial pollutants. 

With rising urbanisation, industrial discharge, and agricultural runoff, ensuring safe drinking water becomes more challenging.

Source: CPCB, 2020; UNICEF Report on Water Quality, 2019; World Bank, 2020.

The Rising Financial Burden

• Detection and Monitoring Costs

Testing for micropollutants requires advanced technology. Each detailed analysis costs ₹40,000–₹80,000 per sample, and scaling this nationwide runs into crores annually. Expanding India’s monitoring infrastructure with real-time sensors could demand over ₹5,000 crore in the next decade.

Costs in the EU: The cost of removing micropollutants from drinking water in Europe alone is estimated to exceed €1 billion annually.

• Health and Healthcare Costs

Long-term exposure to micropollutants is associated with cancers, hormonal imbalances, and neurological issues. The healthcare costs related to waterborne diseases and chemical exposure are estimated to be between ₹1.5 lakh crore and ₹2 lakh crore annually, along with losses in workforce productivity and increased hospitalisations.

• Ecosystem and Agricultural Impact

Micropollutants degrade freshwater ecosystems, harm fisheries, and impact agriculture. With India’s fishing industry valued at ₹1.2 lakh crore, contamination threatens livelihoods and food security. Additionally, irrigated crops that absorb these pollutants risk reduced yields and food safety issues, leading to estimated annual costs of ₹15,000 to ₹20,000 crore.

Ozone: The Smart Solution for Removal of Micropollutants 

Ozone is recognised globally as one of the most effective and eco-friendly oxidants for water treatment. Unlike conventional methods, it breaks down complex micropollutants without leaving harmful by-products. When combined with Granular Activated Carbon (GAC), ozone systems for drinking water treatment effectively target soluble and suspended pollutants, ensuring safe and reliable drinking water.

Globally, leading utilities have adopted ozone treatment for micropollutants. Veolia, for example, has implemented hundreds of large-scale ozone projects to address pharmaceutical and chemical contaminants. For India, adopting ozone-based water treatment solutions offers both environmental protection and long-term cost efficiency.

Shaping a Safer Future for India’s Drinking Water

Ignoring micropollutants comes at a high financial and ecological cost. By investing in technologies like ozone treatment, India can protect public health, preserve ecosystems, and minimise long-term economic losses.

OTSIL, as one of the leading ozone generator manufacturers in India, provides advanced, reliable, and sustainable solutions for micropollutant removal from drinking water.

Protect your water resources with smarter technology? Explore OTSIL’s ozone solutions today!