India’s 2025 Water Quality Rankings: A Comprehensive State-wise Analysis

 💧 India’s 2025 Water Quality Rankings: A clear regional divide emerges—Northeastern states rank among the cleanest, while highly urbanised regions continue to battle severe water pollution. The data highlights the growing need for urban wastewater treatment, river rejuvenation & sustainable water management.

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Rank-wise Water Quality Index (WQI) – All States & UTs

Rank	Region Name	WQI Value
1	Mizoram	92.5
2	Sikkim	91.0
3	Arunachal Pradesh	90.0
4	Meghalaya	89.5
5	Manipur	88.0
6	Nagaland	87.5
7	Tripura	86.0
8	Kerala	85.0
9	Goa	84.0
10	Himachal Pradesh	83.0
11	Uttarakhand	82.0
12	Assam	80.5
13	Lakshadweep	80.0
14	Andaman & Nicobar Islands	79.5
15	Puducherry	78.0
16	Chandigarh	77.5
17	Karnataka	76.0
18	Tamil Nadu	75.0
19	Telangana	74.0
20	Odisha	73.0
21	Chhattisgarh	72.0
22	Madhya Pradesh	70.5
23	Andhra Pradesh	70.0
24	Jharkhand	69.0
25	Bihar	68.0
26	West Bengal	67.0
27	Rajasthan	66.0
28	Punjab	65.0
29	Haryana	64.0
30	Gujarat	63.0
31	Jammu & Kashmir	62.0
32	Ladakh	61.0
33	DNHDD	60.0
34	Maharashtra	58.5
35	Uttar Pradesh	55.0
36	Delhi	50.0

 India’s Water Quality Crisis and Anticipated Water Quality Index (WQI) for 2025

India is facing a severe water quality crisis in 2025, with pollution affecting nearly 70% of its surface and groundwater resources. Rapid urbanization, industrial expansion, population growth, and inadequate wastewater treatment infrastructure have significantly contributed to the widespread degradation of water bodies across the country. This crisis poses serious risks to public health, agriculture, and long-term environmental sustainability.

Status of Polluted Water Bodies

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), more than 350 polluted river stretches have been identified across 323 rivers in India. These polluted stretches are primarily caused by the discharge of untreated domestic sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff, and improper disposal of solid waste. The CPCB has highlighted the urgent need for strong and immediate state-level interventions to prevent further deterioration and to restore polluted river ecosystems.

Water Quality Index (WQI) Framework

The anticipated Water Quality Index (WQI) for 2025 serves as a standardized measure to evaluate the overall health of water bodies across all 36 states and union territories of India. The WQI is calculated on a scale of 0 to 100 using key scientific parameters such as:

• Dissolved Oxygen (DO)
• Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)
• pH Levels
• Presence of Coliform Bacteria

Higher WQI scores indicate better water quality suitable for drinking, irrigation, and aquatic life, while lower scores reflect poor water quality that poses serious environmental and health risks.

Data Sources and Projections

The projected WQI values for 2025 are derived from multiple reliable sources, including:

• CPCB Water Quality Data (2022)
• NITI Aayog’s Composite Water Management Index (CWMI)
• Performance trends of national programs such as the Namami Gange Programme and the Jal Jeevan Mission

Together, these sources provide a strong scientific foundation for assessing expected water quality conditions across different regions of India.

Regional Patterns and Disparities

The projected ranking of states and union territories reveals significant regional disparities in water quality. Northeastern states are expected to perform the best due to high rainfall, abundant natural water resources, low population pressure, and limited industrial development. In contrast, many northern and heavily industrialized regions are projected to perform poorly due to high volumes of untreated sewage, industrial pollution, dense populations, and rapid urban growth. These patterns clearly demonstrate how geography, economic activity, urbanization, and governance directly influence water quality outcomes.

Policy Implications and Need for Targeted Action

The WQI-based assessment highlights serious inequalities in water resource management across India. States with lower WQI scores require urgent and targeted policy interventions, including:

• Expansion and modernization of sewage treatment infrastructure
• Strict enforcement of industrial wastewater discharge regulations
• Promotion of water recycling, reuse, and conservation practices
• Strengthening real-time water quality monitoring and public reporting systems
• Encouraging community participation in water conservation and pollution control

These measures are essential to improve water quality, protect public health, and ensure environmental sustainability.

Geographical Influences on Water Quality in India

Geography plays a crucial role in determining water quality across India’s diverse landscapes. Variations in rainfall patterns, population density, land use, and ecological conditions significantly influence the Water Quality Index (WQI) of different regions. From the rain-rich northeastern states to the arid lands of Rajasthan and the highly urbanized National Capital Region, geographic factors directly shape water quality conditions across the country.

Water Quality in the Northeastern States

The northeastern states of India, particularly Mizoram, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh, exhibit excellent water quality, with WQI values exceeding 90. This superior quality is largely attributed to heavy annual monsoon rainfall, often exceeding 2,000 mm, which naturally flushes pollutants from rivers and streams. The dense forest cover across the region also acts as a natural filtration system for surface runoff, preventing excessive contamination.

Mizoram stands out with a WQI score of 92.5. Major rivers such as the Tlawng remain largely free from industrial and urban pollution. Additionally, the state’s low population density of around 52 persons per square kilometer results in limited sewage generation and minimal pressure on water resources. These natural and demographic advantages together support consistently high water quality.

Water Quality in Arid Regions: The Case of Rajasthan

In contrast to the northeastern region, Rajasthan highlights the negative impact of arid climatic conditions on water quality. With a WQI score of 66, the state faces serious water quality challenges due to extreme water scarcity and excessive dependence on groundwater for agricultural and domestic use. Overextraction of groundwater has led to rising salinity and high nitrate concentrations in many districts.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) 2024 data, Rajasthan generates nearly 1,200 million liters per day (MLD) of wastewater. However, only about 30% of this wastewater is treated adequately before discharge. The remaining untreated wastewater directly contaminates surface and groundwater sources, further worsening water quality in an already water-stressed environment.

Water Quality in Union Territories

India’s union territories demonstrate extreme contrasts in water quality conditions. Lakshadweep, a remote island territory surrounded by coral lagoons and marine ecosystems, maintains a relatively high WQI score of 80. The vast marine environment helps dilute pollutants naturally, resulting in better overall water quality.

On the other hand, Delhi represents one of the most severe cases of urban water pollution in the country. With a WQI score of only 50, the capital suffers from intense sewage contamination, particularly in the Yamuna River. Nearly 3,000 MLD of untreated sewage is discharged daily into the river through 22 major drains. This massive discharge reduces dissolved oxygen levels to below 2 mg/L in several stretches. CPCB data further indicates that Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) levels frequently exceed 30 mg/L, making the river water unfit even for bathing.

Industrial and Agricultural Pressures on Water Bodies in India

The impact of industrialization and agriculture on water bodies across India remains severe and uneven across different states, as reflected in recent environmental assessments and state-wise performance scores. Rapid industrial growth, expanding urbanization, and intensive farming practices have significantly increased the pressure on rivers, lakes, groundwater, and coastal ecosystems.

Maharashtra, with a performance score of 58.5, faces heavy stress on its water resources, especially in Mumbai. The city alone discharges approximately 3,800 million liters per day (MLD) of sewage, much of which remains insufficiently treated. This burden is further intensified by industrial effluents, particularly heavy metals released from textile and related industries. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) 2022 assessment, the Godavari and Tapi rivers together contain 45 polluted segments, with chromium concentrations exceeding the safe limit of 0.1 mg/L, posing serious threats to aquatic life and human health.

Uttar Pradesh, with a score of 55, faces similar environmental challenges. The Ganga River in the state is severely polluted due to discharges from nearly 1,000 tanneries in Kanpur, leading to extremely high fecal coliform levels reaching 10⁶ MPN per 100 mL. This indicates widespread contamination from untreated industrial waste and domestic sewage.

Agricultural practices further aggravate water pollution and groundwater depletion. Punjab and Haryana, scoring 65 and 64 respectively, demonstrate excessive fertilizer and pesticide use, resulting in nitrate leaching into groundwater. According to NITI Aayog, nearly 80% of Punjab’s irrigated land alone accounts for 70% of national groundwater depletion. This over-extraction, along with nutrient runoff, has caused serious eutrophication in the Sutlej River, degrading water quality and aquatic ecosystems.

In contrast, several southern states have shown comparatively better performance due to stronger regulatory frameworks and diversified economic activities. Kerala, with a high score of 85, benefits from a tourism-focused economy rather than heavy industrialization. Its backwaters continue to maintain a healthy pH range between 6.5 and 8.5, indicating relatively stable water quality. Telangana, scoring 74, reflects growth driven mainly by Hyderabad’s IT sector rather than pollution-intensive industries. Cleanup efforts in the Musi River under the Namami Ganga initiative have led to a 20% reduction in Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) since 2020, reflecting measurable environmental improvement.

The report also highlights the critical importance of wastewater treatment infrastructure. States with sewage treatment capacities exceeding 50%, such as Gujarat with a score of 63, have demonstrated better control over pollution levels. However, Bihar, despite scoring 68, continues to suffer from serious sanitation and infrastructure challenges. Nearly 90% of its 38,000 villages lack proper sanitation facilities, resulting in the discharge of about 500 MLD of untreated sewage into tributaries of the Ganga, severely affecting water quality and public health.

Urbanization, Population Dynamics, and Environmental Impact in India

Urbanization and rapid population growth have emerged as two major forces shaping environmental conditions across India. The continuous expansion of urban areas, especially in regions with high population density, has placed immense pressure on natural resources and environmental infrastructure. One of the most critical consequences of this transformation is the sharp rise in pollution levels caused by excessive wastewater generation and unmanaged industrial discharge.

Delhi stands as a prominent example of the environmental stress caused by intense urban pressure. With a population of nearly 22 million, the city generates approximately 800 million gallons of wastewater every day. Despite having 35 sewage treatment plants, only about 70% of the wastewater is effectively treated due to limited operational capacity. As a result, large quantities of untreated sewage continue to enter nearby water bodies, severely degrading water quality and contributing to Delhi’s low environmental performance.

Environmental degradation is also evident in Haryana, particularly in the city of Gurgaon. Here, industrial effluents often mix with domestic sewage and are discharged directly into the Yamuna River without proper treatment. This uncontrolled pollution has resulted in severe water contamination, leading to Haryana receiving a low environmental ranking of 64.

In contrast, Goa presents a more sustainable development model. With a high ranking of 84, the state has benefited from strict tourism regulations that successfully control urban pollution. These regulations have helped maintain healthy water quality, as reflected by the dissolved oxygen levels in the Mandovi River, which consistently remain above 5 mg/L an indicator of clean and sustainable aquatic conditions.

The rural-urban divide continues to play a crucial role in determining environmental outcomes across different states. Chhattisgarh, with an environmental ranking of 72, has shown remarkable improvement through rural sanitation initiatives under the Swachh Bharat Mission. The state aims to achieve 95% household sanitation coverage by 2024, significantly reducing pollution caused by open defecation.

On the other hand, Bihar continues to face serious challenges due to persistent rural poverty. Nearly 40% of the population still practices open defecation, resulting in increased coliform bacteria levels in the Sone River. This has worsened both water pollution and public health conditions in the region.

India’s overall population has now reached approximately 1.4 billion, placing enormous stress on water resources, sanitation systems, and environmental infrastructure. Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state with nearly 240 million people, alone contributes to almost 20% of the country’s river pollution. This highlights how population concentration directly intensifies environmental degradation.

Despite these challenges, several government initiatives offer hope for the future. The Jal Jeevan Mission aims to provide piped drinking water to 78% of Indian households by mid-2025. This initiative is expected to significantly improve national standards of water quality and sanitation.

Odisha has already shown measurable success, improving its environmental ranking to 73. Since 2022, the state has established 50 new wastewater treatment plants, which have collectively reduced pollution in the Mahanadi River by 15%, marking a significant improvement in water management.

Governmental Initiatives and Future Trajectories in Water Resource Management in India

Governmental initiatives in India are playing a crucial role in driving gradual yet measurable improvements in water quality and overall water resource management. One of the flagship programs in this effort is the Namami Gange Programme, which has been allocated a total budget of ₹30,000 crore. This program targets the rehabilitation of nearly 350 polluted river stretches across the country. Based on current projections, the initiative is expected to improve the Water Quality Index (WQI) of the Ganga River from 45 in 2018 to around 60 by 2025, reflecting significant progress in pollution control and river rejuvenation.

Impact on Uttar Pradesh and Key Cities

Uttar Pradesh is emerging as one of the major beneficiaries of these efforts. In Varanasi, the implementation of sewage interception and treatment projects has already led to a 25% reduction in Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD). This reduction highlights substantial improvement in the quality of water and demonstrates the effectiveness of focused urban wastewater management strategies.

Groundwater Sustainability Initiatives

The Atal Bhujal Yojana, currently operational in seven states including Rajasthan, is another significant government initiative aimed at promoting sustainable groundwater usage and recharge practices. This scheme emphasizes community participation, water budgeting, and scientific monitoring. Projections suggest that this initiative could improve groundwater sustainability scores by 5 to 8 points by 2030, strengthening long-term water security in vulnerable regions.

Community-Driven Success in Northeastern States

Unlike heavily industrialized regions, the Northeastern states of India are experiencing natural and community-driven improvements in water quality due to relatively low industrial pressure. In Mizoram, community-managed watershed programs are playing a vital role in maintaining clean water sources and conserving natural water ecosystems. These models demonstrate how local participation can significantly enhance environmental sustainability.

Future Challenges and Climate Change Risks

Despite these positive developments, India faces serious challenges related to climate change and river restoration. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Himalayan water flows are expected to decline by nearly 20% by 2050. This reduction presents a critical threat to water security in northern states, especially Uttarakhand, which currently holds a water security ranking of 82.

Another major concern remains the revival of the Yamuna River. The river continues to suffer from extreme pollution, particularly in the National Capital Region. It is estimated that Delhi alone will require an investment of approximately ₹10,000 crore to restore the Yamuna’s ecological health and ensure sustainable water quality.

Conclusion

In 2025, India’s water quality scenario stands at a critical crossroads, shaped by the combined influence of environmental pressures, technological constraints, and governance effectiveness. The spatial patterns of water quality observed across the country reflect deep structural disparities where naturally endowed regions, particularly in the northeastern and high-rainfall zones, continue to benefit from favorable hydrological and ecological conditions, densely populated, industrialized, and arid regions face persistent and severe water pollution challenges. These contrasts highlight that water quality in India is not merely a function of natural geography but is profoundly influenced by human activity, infrastructure development, and regulatory enforcement.

The projected Water Quality Index (WQI) for 2025 emerges as a vital strategic instrument for guiding evidence-based policymaking and targeted interventions. By enabling the identification of high-risk zones and performance gaps, the WQI supports the formulation of region-specific, climate-sensitive solutions rather than uniform national approaches. The analysis clearly demonstrates that rainfall patterns, topography, vegetation cover, and population density collectively determine baseline water conditions. Regions characterized by dense forest cover and high precipitation benefit from natural dilution and filtration processes, whereas water-stressed, urbanized, and industrial belts suffer from concentrated pollution loads caused by untreated effluents, excessive groundwater withdrawal, and limited natural replenishment capacity.

The study unequivocally identifies industrial discharge, untreated municipal sewage, agricultural runoff, and unsustainable groundwater exploitation as the principal drivers of water body degradation in India. The strengthening of Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs), the expansion of sewage treatment infrastructure, and the widespread adoption of sustainable agricultural practices hold the potential to significantly improve environmental performance—particularly for underperforming states by as much as 10 to 15 index points. Beyond numerical improvements, these measures would directly reduce pollutant loads in major river systems, restore aquatic ecosystems, and enhance long-term water availability for domestic, agricultural, and industrial use.

Rapid urbanization, high population density, and historically inadequate environmental infrastructure continue to exert immense pressure on India’s freshwater systems. While states such as Goa and Odisha illustrate how effective governance, regulatory enforcement, and strategic infrastructure investment can deliver tangible environmental gains, economically weaker and densely populated states remain constrained by financial limitations, institutional capacity gaps, and governance challenges. This uneven progress underscores the urgent need for equitable investment in sanitation, wastewater treatment, and clean water access, particularly in vulnerable and rapidly expanding urban corridors.

Encouragingly, India’s recent governmental initiatives in water resource management demonstrate growing policy maturity and institutional commitment. Landmark programs such as the Namami Gange Mission and the Atal Bhujal Yojana reflect an integrated approach that combines river rejuvenation, groundwater sustainability, community participation, and data-driven governance. However, the long-term success of these programs will depend on consistent financial investment, strict enforcement of pollution control regulations, robust climate resilience planning, and active collaboration between government agencies, industries, and local communities.

In conclusion, India’s pursuit of sustainable water quality in 2025 and beyond will hinge on its ability to harmonize economic growth with environmental protection. Securing the nation’s water future requires a sustained, coordinated, and multi-sectoral strategy that integrates science, technology, governance, and public participation. Only through long-term commitment, region-specific planning, and collective responsibility can India protect its vital water resources, safeguard public health, preserve ecological integrity, and ensure water security for present and future generations.

• Source: Central Pollution Control Board. (2022). Polluted river stretches in India. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
• NITI Aayog. (2018). Composite water management index. Government of India.
• https://www.niti.gov.in/sites/default/files/2023-03/CompositeWaterManagementIndex.pdf