India Copper Plant Pollutes Groundwater in Industrial Area

The groundwater at an industrial site in India is currently contaminated with excessive levels of heavy metals and total dissolved solids (TDS). The perpetrator of the pollution is likely the Sterlite Copper plant, which is situated within the SIPCOT Industrial area in Thoothukudi in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

Following questioning regarding the groundwater contamination, the Indian government responded by claiming that the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) engaged in a study to assess the quality of the groundwater within the industrial area.

“The study indicates that most of the groundwater samples are contaminated with high TDS and heavy metals like lead, cadmium, chromium, manganese, iron and arsenic, which are beyond permissible limits of BIS Standards for drinking water,” said Arjun Ram Meghwal, union minister of State for Water Resources.

Despite the results of the study, Sterlite Copper maintains its claim of not being responsible for the groundwater pollution that took place. The plant has been closed since May in the midst of violent protests that saw 13 people killed in a police firing. Residents in the area had long been calling for the closure of the copper plant due to alleged groundwater contamination perpetrated by the company.