Beyond remedy

Aquifers are home to groundwater, the purest form of water. Originating from precipitation, the water is filtered and treated by microorganisms in the soil. Soil is perhaps the best filter for water because of its high contaminant retention capacity. But once the soil reaches saturation level due to prolonged abuse, it looses its filtering capacity which can rarely be reclaimed.

Experts claim that the cool, dark, abiotic nature of aquifers permits the storage of contaminants virtually undisturbed for long periods. R H Siddiqui of civil engineering, Aligarh Muslim University, who is also coordinating the Aligarh environment research project, say, "Reclaiming an aquifer is close to impossible. The water from the aquifer has to be pumped out and treated. Then the soil that is polluted has to be dug up and long process. Even then, no one can say whether the aquifer will be free of contaminants."

Siidiqui added that in the US, scientists are using in situ treatment methods but in a limited manner. "They are using bio-remedial measures. They identify the contaminants. But the problem in Panipat and other area is that the contaminants have not been identified," he said.