Archive · 13 Jan 2026
Andhra Pradesh Groundwater Contaminated with Uranium, Salinity, Fluoride
The Central Groundwater Board (CGWB) found that 27% of the water samples they tested in Andhra Pradesh have dangerous levels of uranium, salt, and fluoride.
This means the water is not safe to drink.
The worst areas are in the coastal Rayalaseema region.
The salt comes from the sea and from taking too much water from the ground.
The fluoride comes from the rocks in the ground.
The uranium is found in some districts like Anantapur and Kurnool.
The monsoon rains helped a little by making some of the water better, but other places got worse.
The CGWB says we need to mix different water sources and use special filters to make the water safe again.
27% of groundwater samples in Andhra Pradesh exceed safety norms for uranium, salinity, and fluoride.
9.78% of samples have high salinity, primarily due to coastal intrusion and over-extraction in Rayalaseema.
8.99% of samples exceed fluoride limits, with geogenic sources in Anantapur and Kadapa.
Uranium contamination is sporadic but present in districts like Anantapur and Kurnool.
Monsoon rains improved some water quality but worsened others, with 180 sites improving and 130+ deteriorating.
- Who
- Central Groundwater Board (CGWB)
- What
- Groundwater contamination in Andhra Pradesh
- When
- Pre-monsoon 2024 and post-monsoon 2024
- Where
- Andhra Pradesh, India
- Why
- Due to coastal intrusion, over-extraction, and geogenic sources
- Contaminated Samples
- 27%
- Salinity Exceedance
- 9.78%
- Fluoride Exceedance
- 8.99%
- Uranium Exceedance
- Sporadic
- Total Samples Tested
- 1,135
- Worst-Hit Region
- Coastal Rayalaseema
- National Rank for Salinity
- 7th worst
- Affected Districts
- Anantapur, Kadapa, Kurnool, Nellore
