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Patna : In a major step toward environmental accountability, more than 900 ponds across Bihar are set to undergo water quality testing following directives from the National Green Tribunal (NGT). The initiative aims to evaluate the ecological health and usability of public ponds and reservoirs across the state, with a particular focus on their suitability for aquaculture and public use.
The testing process will be conducted based on seven key parameters: colour, temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total coliform (TC), and faecal coliform (FC). These standards are in line with international water testing protocols.
The Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) has designated its regional lab in Bhagalpur as the nodal centre for testing. The lab, which has received accreditation from the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL), has recently seen upgrades in infrastructure, equipment, and personnel.
According to Dilip Kumar, Executive Engineer at PHED, the Bhagalpur lab has been linked with 82 ponds for sample analysis—including 52 from Bhagalpur, 15 from Banka, six from Begusarai, five from Khagaria, and four from Munger. Additional labs have also been set up in Patna, Muzaffarpur, Araria, Bihar Sharif, and Sasaram to support the effort statewide.
Testing Crucial for Aquaculture and Public Health
Experts highlight the importance of this initiative for both environmental health and livelihoods. The findings will help determine whether the water in these ponds is safe and suitable for fish farming—a key livelihood in rural Bihar. Parameters such as dissolved oxygen levels and water temperature are especially critical in assessing aquaculture potential.
The testing will occur quarterly and will focus on ponds with an area exceeding five acres in five key districts—Bhagalpur, Banka, Begusarai, Khagaria, and Munger—under the Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali (Water-Life-Greenery) mission. PHED officials will collect water samples from designated ponds and submit them to the labs for analysis.
The initiative reflects a growing emphasis on environmental monitoring and sustainable use of public water bodies, ensuring these crucial ecosystems remain viable for community use and biodiversity.
