Groundwater Woes: The Hidden Threat in Kujang's Water Supply

In the Kujang area of Eastern Odisha, India, groundwater is facing a serious issue: it's getting saltier. This isn't just a minor problem. It's a big deal because it makes the water hard and not so great for drinking. The main culprit? Seawater. It's mixing with the freshwater in the coastal aquifers. This is happening because of a few reasons. One is over-pumping of groundwater. Another is the return flow from agriculture. And then there's wastewater infiltration. All these factors are making the water quality worse. The water's chemical makeup shows high levels of sodium, chloride, magnesium, and other salts. This is a clear sign of seawater intrusion. The water's hardness is also a concern. It's high during both the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon periods.Scientists used different methods to study this problem. They looked at the water's chemical composition. They also used statistical analyses and other tools. Their findings? The water quality is largely unsuitable for drinking. In fact, a significant percentage of samples were categorized as poor to extremely poor. But there's more to the story. The subsurface conditions are also a concern. Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) profiles showed that saline horizons exist at both shallow and deeper levels. This means the problem is widespread and not just on the surface. This study is the first of its kind in the Kujang Block. It provides a comprehensive understanding of groundwater salinization. The findings offer valuable insights for sustainable aquifer management. But the question remains: what can be done to fix this problem?