UPGRADATION
OF
WATER QUALITY
LABORATORIES
IN
CENTRAL WATER
COMMISSION
1.0
Introduction:
Central Water Commission has a well established ‘Water Quality Monitoring Network’
consisting of monitoring stations at 433 key locations covering all the major river basins
of India. The water quality monitoring network consists of 258 field laboratories called the
level-I laboratories located at field water quality monitoring stations on various rivers of
India for monitoring of in-situ parameters, eighteen (18) level-II laboratories for the
analysis of 25 physico-chemical plus bacteriological parameters, and five (05) level-III/II+
laboratories for the analysis of 41 parameters including heavy metals / toxic parameters
and pesticides.
Besides the monitoring of river water quality, Central Water Commission has an
important role to play in the day to day activities of Ganga River Basin Authority, National
River Action Plan (NRAP), Water Quality Assessment Authority (WQAA), and Ganga
River Basin Authority.
1.1
Water Quality Monitoring Network in CWC at present
At present, Central Water Commission follows a three tier laboratory system for providing
analytical facilities for the analysis of river water samples collected from 433 water quality
monitoring stations belonging to the Water Quality Monitoring Network and covering all the
major river basins of India.
Present Laboratory set up: The present up of laboratories is depicted in chart (1) below:
WQM Network In CWC
WQM Stations
(433)
Level-I Laboratories
(258)
Level-II Laboratories
(18)
Level-III / II+ Laboratories
(05)
Chart (1): Present set up of laboratories in CWC
2
The three tier laboratory system consists of:
1) Level - I Laboratories: These are the field laboratories which are located at field
water quality monitoring stations on various rivers of India where in-situ values of five
(05) physical parameters and one biological parameter (Dissolved Oxygen) of river
water are monitored. There are a total number of 258 level-I laboratories located at
field water quality monitoring stations on various rivers of India.
2) Level-II Laboratories: There are 18 level-II laboratories located at division offices to
analyse 25 physico-chemical and bacteriological parameters of river water. The list of
level-II laboratories in CWC depicted in chart (2) below:
Level II Laboratories (18)
(18)
Lower Brahamaputra Division, Jalpaiguri
U.B. Division, Dibrugarh
Cauvery Division, Bangalore
Hydrology Division, Chennai
SWR Division, Cochin
Chenab Division, Jammu
Upper Krishna Division,Pune
Lower Ganga Division, Berhampore
Middle Ganga Division -V , Patna
Eastern Rivers Division, Bhubaneswar
Mahanadi Division, Raipur
WainGanga Division, Nagpur
Narmada Division, Bhopal
Mahi Division, Gandhinagar
Tapi Division, Surat
Himalayan Ganga Division, Dehradun
Middle Ganga Division -I , Lucknow
Lower Yamuna Division, Agra
Chart (2): Level-II laboratories in CWC
3) Level-III/II+ Laboratories: There are five (05) regional level-III / II+ laboratories for
analysis of 41 parameters including heavy metals / toxic parameters and pesticides.
These laboratories are located at the places given in chart (3) below:
Level-III / II+
Laboratories (05)
National River
Water Quality
Laboratory
(NRWQL), New
Delhi
Southern Rivers
Division,
Coimbatore
Middle Brahmaputra
Division, Guwahati
Chart (3): Level-III/II+ laboratories in CWC
3
Middle Ganga
Division-3, Varanasi
Upper Godavari
Division,
Hyderabad
National River Water Quality Laboratory (NRWQL), New Delhi: The level-III laboratory at
New Delhi under Yamuna Basin Organisation is, in fact, a National Laboratory and is named
as “National River Water Quality Laboratory (NRWQL), New Delhi” which, in addition to its
regional responsibilities, also undertakes the following activities:
Referral Activities:
National River Water Quality Laboratory (NRWQL), New Delhi has been designated as the
‘Referral Laboratory’ to ensure uniformity in physico-chemical and biological analysis of
surface waters in India. Besides conducting the Special Studies assigned by the Ministry of
Water Resources, NRWQL also caters to the referral needs of various organizations in the
field of water quality analysis.
AQC Exercises:
NRWQL undertakes the Analytical Quality Control (AQC) Exercises among various
laboratories of CWC in order to have an assessment of the quality (accuracy) of analysis
being done in the laboratories.
Capacity Building through Training Programmes and Workshops:
NRWQL aims to provide professional and need based training with a wide outreach in
environment and water quality related topics. Hands-on training is provided in the laboratory,
where participants can improve their skills in analyzing water and wastewater samples.
Analysis of Trace & Toxic elements:
NRWQL undertakes analysis of Trace & Toxic elements for all the regions of India. This
exercise is done three (03) times a year.
1.1.2 Parameters analysed and instruments used in the three levels of
laboratories:
The list of parameters analysed and instruments used in the three levels of laboratories is
given in Annexure-3. The depiction of parameters analysed in the three levels of
laboratories is given in the following chart :
(i) Parameters Analysed in a
Level-I Laboratory: The parameters analysed in a
level-I laboratory are depicted in chart (4) below:
4
Parameters Analysed in a Level-I Laboratory
Temperature
Colour
Odour
Electrical Conductivity/ Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
pH
Dissolved Oxygen (D.O.)
Chart (4): Parameters Analysed in a Level-I Laboratory
(ii) Parameters Analysed in a Level-II Laboratory: The parameters analysed in a
level-II laboratory are depicted in chart (5) below:
Parameters Analysed in a Level-II Laboratory
Temperature
Electrical Conductivity/ Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
pH
Dissolved Oxygen (D.O.)
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (B.O.D.)
Chemical Oxygen Demand (C.O.D.)
Sodium
Calcium
Magnesium
Potassium
Iron
Boron
Carbonate
Bicarbonate
Fluoride
Chloride
Sulphate
Nitrate
Nitrite
Silicate
Phosphate
Total Coliform
Total Plate Count
F. Coliform
E. Coliform
Chart (5): Parameters Analysed in a Level-II Laboratory
5
(iii) Parameters Analysed in a Level-III/II+ Laboratory: The parameters analysed
in a level-III/II+ laboratory are depicted in chart (6) below:
Parameters Analysed in a
Level-III/II+ Laboratory
Temperature
Electrical Conductivity/ Total Dissolved Solids
pH
Dissolved Oxygen (D.O.)
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (B.O.D.)
Chemical Oxygen Demand (C.O.D.)
Sodium
Calcium
Magnesium
Potassium
Iron
Boron
Carbonate
Bicarbonate
Fluoride
Chloride
Sulphate
Nitrate
Nitrite
Silicate
Phosphate
Total Coliform
Total Plate Count
F. Coliform
E. Coliform
Total Kjeldhal Nitrogen
Cyanide
Ammonia (Nitrogen)
Pesticides (Cholorohydrocarbon) (06 Nos.)
T.O.C. (Total Carbon Analyser)
Arsenic
Cadmium
Mercury
Chromium
Lead
Zinc
Chart (6): Parameters Analysed in a Level-III/II+ Laboratory
6
1.1.3 Classification of water quality monitoring stations:
In accordance with the definition given in the “Uniform Protocol on Water Quality Monitoring
Notification” issued by the Water Quality Assessment Authority, Ministry of Environment &
Forests dated 17th June, 2005 water quality monitoring stations are classified as follows:
(i) Baseline Station: A Baseline Station means the monitoring location where there is
no influence of human activities on water quality;
(ii) Trend Station:
A Trend station means the monitoring location designed to show
how a particular point on a watercourse varies over time due,
normally, to the influence of man’s activities; and
(iii) Flux Station or Impact Station: A Flux station or Impact station means the location
for measuring the mass of particular pollutant on main river stem
for measuring the extent of pollution due to human interference or
geological feature at any point of time and is necessary for
measuring impact of pollution control measures adopted;
CWC has 226 Base stations, 179 Trend stations and 28 Flux stations. The classification of
monitoring station in CWC is depicted in chart (7) below:
Water Quality Monitoring Stations in CWC (433)
Baseline Stations (226)
Trend stations (179)
(189)
Flux or Impact Stations (28)
(179)
(28)
Chart (7): Classification of monitoring station in CWC
7
Table 4. List of Parameters and Instrument required for analysis
Sl. N.
Water Quality
Parameters
Instrument Required
Physical parameters
1
2
3
4
5.
Temperature
pH
Electrical Conductivity
Turbidity
Total Dissolved Solids
Digital Thermometer
pH Meter
Conductivity Meter
Nepheloturbidit Meter
Oven
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Carbonate
Bicarbonate
Chloride
Nitrate (N)
Nitrite (N)
Ammonia (N)
Fluoride
Phosphate
Digital Burette
Digital Burette
Digital Burette
Ion Meter
Visible Spectrophotometer
Visible Spectrophotometer
Ion Meter
Visible Spectrophotometer
1
2
3
4
5
Calcium
Magnesium
Sodium
Potassium
Boron
Burette
Burette
Flame Photometer
Flame Photometer
Visible Spectrophotometer, water bath
Dissolved Oxygen
Bio-chemical Oxygen Demand
Chemical Oxygen Demand
DO Meter / Burette
DO Meter / Burette, BOD Incubator
COD Digistor
Chemical parameters
Cations
Anions
Oxygen Demand
1
2
3
Microbiological
1
2
3
Test tube with plastic cap, bacteriological incubator, water
bath
Total Coliform
Faecal Coliform
E.Coli
Toxic Metals (level III parameters)
Arsenic
1
Cadmium
2
Chromium
3
Lead
4
Mercury
5
Zinc
6
Nickel
7
Iron
8
Pesticides
Alpha BHC, Beta BHC, Gama BHC (Lindane), OPDDT, PP-DDT, Alpha Endosulphan, Beta
Endosulpham, Aldrin, Dieldrin, 2, 4-D, Carbaryl
(Carbamate),
Malathian, Methyl, Parathian, Anilphos
Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) /
Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)
Gas chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)
8
Table 5. Instrument required in National Laboratory in CWC
Name of the Instrument
Quantity
Tentative cost for each in Rs.
Balance, Analytical (Electronic)
3
50 thousand
Electronic Pipette Controller
5
20 thousand
Magnetic Stirrer
4
20 thousand
Refrigerator
3
30 thousand
Dispensor
10
20 thousand
Ultra Water Purification System
1
6 lakhs
pH Meter
2
70 thousand
Conductivity Meter
1
50 thousand
Turbidity Meter
1
1.5 lakhs
Hot Air Oven
2
65 thousand
Digital Burette
5
70 thousand
Ion Meter
1
1.5 lakhs
UV Visible Spectrophotometer
1
5-8 Lakhs
Flame Photometer nicroprocessor based with
PC controled
1
85 thousand
DO Meter
1
80 thousand
BOD Incubator PSD controller
1
90 thousand
Colorimeter
1
1.2 lakhs
COD Digistor
1
1.5 lakhs
Bacteriological incubator
1
80 thousand
Laminar Air Flow
1
50 thousand
Fume Hood in SS
1
80 thousand
Auto Clave
2
45 thousand
Water Bath PSD controller
2
35 thousand
Ion Chromatograph
1
40 Lakhs
Auto titrator with auto sampler
1
50 Lakhs
Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS)
with GTA and VGA
1
45 lakhs
Total Organic Carbon Analyser (TOC)
1
42 Lakhs
Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry
(ICP-MS)
1
1.20 Crores
Gas chromatography–Mass Spectrometry
(GC-MS) with Head Space and Purge & Trap
with Auto sampler
1
80 Lakhs
Air Conditioner
6
35 thousand
Mobile Laboratory with instrument
1
1.0 Crores
Water Geyser (Heater)
2
8 thousand
9
Table 4. Instrument required in National Laboratory in CWC
Name of the Instrument
Quantity
Tentative cost
for each in Rs.
Level II
Balance, Analytical (Electronic)
2
50 thousand
Yes
Level II+
/ III
Yes
Electronic Pipette Controller
3
20 thousand
Yes
Yes
Magnetic Stirrer
2
20 thousand
Yes
Yes
Refrigerator
1
30 thousand
Yes
Yes
Dispensor
5
20 thousand
Yes
Yes
Yes
Ultra Water Purification System
1
6 lakhs
Yes
pH Meter
2
70 thousand
Yes
Yes
Conductivity Meter
1
50 thousand
Yes
Yes
Turbidity Meter
1
1.5 lakhs
Yes
Yes
Hot Air Oven
2
65 thousand
Yes
Yes
Digital Burette
4
70 thousand
Yes
Yes
Ion Meter
1
1.5 lakhs
Yes
Yes
UV Visible Spectrophotometer
1
5-8 Lakhs
Yes
Yes
Flame Photometer microprocessor
based with PC controlled
1
85 thousand
Yes
Yes
DO Meter
1
80 thousand
Yes
Yes
BOD Incubator PSD controller
1
90 thousand
Yes
Yes
Colorimeter
1
1.2 lakhs
Yes
Yes
COD Digistor
1
1.5 lakhs
Yes
Yes
Bacteriological incubator
1
80 thousand
Yes
Yes
Laminar Air Flow
1
50 thousand
Yes
Yes
Fume Hood in SS
1
80 thousand
Yes
Yes
Auto Clave
2
45 thousand
Yes
Yes
Yes
Water Bath PSD controller
2
35 thousand
Yes
Ion Chromatograph
1
40 Lakhs
No
No
Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer
(AAS) with GTA and VGA
1
45 lakhs
No
Yes
Total Organic Carbon Analyser (TOC)
1
42 Lakhs
No
Yes
1
1.20 Crores
No
No
No
Yes
Inductively coupled plasma mass
spectrometry (ICP-MS)
Gas chromatography–Mass
Spectrometry (GC-MS) with Head
Space and Purge & Trap with Auto
sampler
Air Conditioner
Water Geyser (Heater)
1
80 Lakhs
4
35 thousand
Yes
Yes
1
8 thousand
Yes
Yes
10
Deployment of Scientific Manpower:
Total Manpower required in CWC Scientific Cadre .
S. No.
Name of Post
No. of Posts
Pay Band
Grade Pay
1
Chief Research Officer (CRO)
01
PB-4: 37,400- 67,000
8700/-
2
Senior Research Officer (SRO)
04
PB-3: 15600-39100/-
6600/-
3
Research Officer (RO)
12
PB-3: 15600-39100/-
5400/-
4
Assistant Research Officer (ARO)
31
PB-2: 9,300 – 34,800
4600/-
5
Senior Research Assistant (SRA)
54
PB-2: 9,300 – 34,800
4200/-
Total
102
11