ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: Several studies have revealed presence of arsenic in groundwater in parts of Uttar Pradesh in India where this problem was hitherto unknown. In particular, this paper reports results of screening testing from two districts; Ballia and Lakhimpur Kheri. This has revealed that 350 villages in 18 blocks are affected by arsenic in groundwater above the prevailing upper limit of 50 μg/L. Blanket testing in the affected areas and mapping of the arsenic distribution with Geographic Information System software is being undertaken to further clarify the scale of the problem. A communication effort will be undertaken in parallel with blanket testing to inform communities living in affected areas of the implications of test results and potential mitigation strategies. Wellswitching, i.e. use of arsenic-safe handpumps in preference to arsenic-contaminated ones, is one option available. Source-switching to alternative water sources such rainwater, deep groundwater and very shallow groundwater will be piloted in some areas. Several deep handpumps have already been installed on a trial basis and preliminary data suggests these will provide drinking water with substantially reduced arsenic content. The full range of water quality parameters will be tested to determine the potential for wider use of deeper groundwater for drinking in this area. The results of screening testing in these two districts have informed development of a large scale project to screen for arsenic in priority blocks of the state which is also detailed here.
