Assessing the impact of sanitation practices on
groundwater resources in hilly regions
Access to infrastructural services, including water supply, wastewater and sanitation is among the most fundamental
needs of citizens. The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 aims at ensuring the availability of
WASH services for all. However, haphazard sewage disposal among rapidly urbanising Indian cities is one of the
primary causes of ground and surface water contamination leading to numerous health issues. Improving sanitation
services across the value chain becomes a priority to prevent this contamination of drinking water sources, including
groundwater. Despite the measures being taken up to improve sanitation services in Indian cities, there is a need for
empirical studies to assess the impact of sanitation practices on groundwater quality. Therefore, this research will
determine these impacts through field investigation and water quality testing for critical pollution parameters
considering a coastal city. The research shall, thus, empirically establish the relationship between sanitation practices
and groundwater quality for coastal areas
