Kashmir was known for its freshwater resources and drinking from a tap would never bring you down except the times have changed now as J&K figures among the six worst-performing states and UTs in India on a widely circulated water quality index, ranking 31st out of 36.
With a score of 62 percent, J&K’s water quality appears to be dipping, signaling an ecological crisis for a region located in water-rich Himalayan landscape.
The finding is concerning, as the map, shared by a social media news outlet, shows only Ladakh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi with a lower score.
The low ranking reflects the deeper stress in water bodies, flagged many a times by monitoring agencies.
The scores and percentages of the states and UTs are based on the data of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Mizoram tops the list with a percentage of 92.5, the higher percentage indicating the better water quality.
All north-Eastern states have scored high on water quality, while Uttrakhand and Himachal Pradesh, the other two Himalayan states, also have a fair score of 82 percent and 83 percent.
J&K is home to some of India’s most significant freshwater assets.
Its low ranking suggests that the challenge is no longer just safe supply, but whether the ecosystems feeding that supply are themselves being degraded.
CPCB has identified eight polluted water bodies in J&K, including polluted stretches of the Jhelum. Chuntkol in Srinagar has Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) of 11.2, while a Jhelum stretch has recorded 7.8, both indicating serious pollution pressure.
Sewage polluting the water bodies remains the major crisis.
According to official assessments, 163 million litres per day (MLD) of sewage is generated in Srinagar, while treatment capacity stood at just 60 MLD.
This leaves roughly 63 percent untreated, with waste flowing into the Jhelum and Dal Lake.
A shocking 103 MLD of sewage enters water bodies without treatment as per the figures furnished to National Green Tribunal in 2025.
J&K government has acknowledged untreated wastewater from drains in parts of south Kashmir enters streams feeding the Jhelum.
This raises concern over contamination of a river that is the main source of drinking water supply in the Valley.
Despite large-scale testing and surveillance, J&K still appears in the country’s bottom six on water quality.
J&K water quality – Spring water declared unsafe for drinking
Authorities in Central Kashmir’s Budgam district have declared spring water sources in parts of Khag unsafe for drinking, issuing a public advisory urging residents to avoid consumption without proper precautions.
The advisory states that the general public in the affected areas should strictly use the water from these sources only for washing and other non-potable purposes until further notice.
