Investigating and Remediating Chemical Contamination in Borewell

The challenge

A fertiliser manufacturing facility in Kheda, Gujarat was hit with a closure order from the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) after farmers complained of crop damage from contaminated groundwater. The facility faced several interconnected problems:

• Contamination confirmed — laboratory analysis of borewell and farmland samples confirmed groundwater contamination.
• Infrastructure failure — the ground-level ETP showed structural defects, allowing untreated wastewater to infiltrate the groundwater.
• Analytical complications — high salt concentrations in the contaminated water interfered with accurate COD measurement, complicating the remediation.

How we investigated

Aura Environmental Services Pvt. Ltd. carried out a structured, evidence-led investigation:

• A manufacturing process review, with mass-balance and water-balance analysis, to understand how effluent was generated and where it went.
• Sample collection and analysis of borewell and farmland samples in our NABL-accredited laboratory.
• A site assessment that identified the failing ground-level ETP as the source of contamination.

The remediation

With the source identified, we designed and executed a remediation programme:

• Extraction of approximately 65,000 litres of contaminated groundwater.
• Recharge of approximately 75,000 litres of treated fresh water using lime, alum and other chemicals.
• Continuous water-quality monitoring throughout the process.
• A new ETP design and upgrade recommendations to prevent recurrence.

The outcome

Post-remediation analysis confirmed a significant reduction in contamination. On submission of the remediation report, GPCB revoked the closure order — restoring operations, improving community relations and putting the facility on a path to long-term groundwater recovery and compliance.