Impact of Industrial Effluents on Groundwater Quality in Alwar District, Rajasthan: A Geographical and Environmental Analysis

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of industrial effluents on groundwater quality in Alwar district, located in northeastern Rajasthan, India. The district, known for its rapid industrial expansion, particularly through the RIICO industrial zones, faces growing challenges of water pollution due to both point and non-point sources. The study employs spatial and environmental data to assess groundwater contaminants such as fluoride, nitrates, chlorides and heavy metals, analyzing their concentration against BIS and WHO standards. It identifies pollution hotspots across different blocks and discusses the implications of water quality degradation on human health and ecological balance. Special emphasis is placed on how industrial activities, sewage discharges, agricultural runoffs and atmospheric pollutants cumulatively affect the hydrochemical parameters of groundwater. The study concludes with a call for policy revisions, stricter effluent monitoring and sustainable water resource management.