Delhi's groundwater has a uranium problem—here's what you need to know
Delhi's groundwater is showing unsafe levels of uranium, which can harm kidneys and even lead to cancer.
According to the Central Ground Water Board, about 13-15% of tested samples in the city crossed safe limits, making Delhi one of India's most affected regions after Punjab and Haryana.
Where is this coming from?
Most contamination hotspots are in northwestern India—including Delhi—due to a combination of geogenic factors (such as natural uranium-bearing rock), groundwater depletion, and aquifer characteristics.
Out of 83 samples from across the city, nearly one in six had too much uranium in both the pre- and post-monsoon seasons.
What does this mean for daily life?
Delhi pulls huge amounts of groundwater every day, much of it only partly treated or not treated at all.
With other chemicals like nitrate and fluoride also present, health risks are stacking up.
Activists now want the Delhi Jal Board to be transparent about water quality reports for all tubewells within six months—so people know what they're really drinking.