Tue Aug 05 09:13:04 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the text, tailored for publication:

**NEWS ARTICLE:**

**Kerala Groundwater Contaminated in Multiple Districts, Report Reveals**

**KOCHI, August 5, 2025** – A concerning report submitted to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) reveals that nearly half of the wells tested across 10 districts in Kerala show varying levels of contamination. The findings stem from the National Water Quality Monitoring Programme initiated by the Central Pollution Control Board.

Water samples collected in October 2024 from 31 wells across Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Malappuram, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Palakkad, and Kannur districts found that 16 of those wells had contaminated water. Some samples showed alarmingly high levels of faecal contamination, with Most Probable Number (MPN) values ranging from 400 to 4000. The report, filed by the Kerala government, suggests localized sources of contamination likely stemming from inadequate sanitation practices.

While 15 samples were within acceptable or low-risk limits, the report emphasizes the need for immediate investigation of the contaminated wells to safeguard groundwater quality.

The NGT’s Principal Bench in New Delhi requested details on groundwater quality in areas heavily reliant on septic tanks for sewage treatment. The report acknowledges the risk of contamination in areas with poorly maintained containment systems.

In response, urban and rural local bodies have been directed to take corrective actions, including retrofitting substandard containment systems with lined alternatives, such as septic tanks with bio-digesters or prefabricated, leak-proof septic tanks. Furthermore, civic bodies must ensure proper containment systems are in place before issuing permits for new constructions.

The State Groundwater department will also be involved in regular monitoring of groundwater quality. To prevent this in the future, local authorities are also tasked with implementing public awareness campaigns, focusing on proper construction practices for containment systems and the risks of groundwater contamination.

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