Uniform protocol on water quality monitoring by Ministry of Environment and Forests (2005)

This deals with the Central Government’s order on “Uniform Protocol on Water Quality Monitoring Order” in June 2005 in exercise of the powers conferred by section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Due to the deterioration of the river water quality, health and livelihood of the downstream people are being severely affected and concerns are raised time and again. 

In order to draw the water related action plans on the basis of reliable data there was a need to maintain uniformity in the procedure for water quality monitoring mechanism by all monitoring agencies, departments, Pollution Control Boards and such other agencies.  The order is applicable to all organizations, agencies and any other body monitoring surface and groundwater quality in the country.

It incorporates guidelines related to selection of monitoring station, frequency of sampling, parameters to be analyzed, procedure for sample collection, its preservation and transportation, maintenance of sample records and other aspects related to water quality monitoring. According to the protocol the frequency of sampling in respect of surface water shall be as follows:

• All the stations shall be a combination of baseline, trend and flux or impact stations
• The baseline stations shall be monitored four times a year for perennial rivers and lakes and three to four times a year for seasonal rivers. Trend stations shall be monitored with an increased frequency of once in a month i.e. twelve times in a year. Flux or impact stations shall be monitored twelve to twenty-four times in a year depending upon pollution potential or importance of water use.
• All agencies shall follow the sampling frequency and parameters for analysis of surface water as mentioned in the Table – I of the protocol.

Similarly frequencies and parameters are presented for the analysis of groundwater samples are presented.

Download the order here: