Buying a Home in Gurgaon? Think Again—Selenium in Groundwater Is a Real Threat

What’s the Deal with Selenium?

Selenium is one of those rare elements that can be both necessary and poison. In trace amounts, it supports health—but beyond safe thresholds, it's a stealthy toxin.

• The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, reported alarmingly high levels of selenium in groundwater samples collected during 2019—nearly 6,000 samples across India.

• A reputable review confirmed that selenium contamination is most commonly found in arid northwestern regions of India, including parts of Haryana and Punjab—not an isolated or academic fear, but a grounded, government-acknowledged danger.

• WHO’s safe limit for selenium in drinking water stands at 10 µg/L. In comparable regions, contamination levels have soared—0.25 to 69.5 µg/L, with 11% of samples breaching WHO’s limit, and some even exceeding USEPA’s 20 µg/L threshold for irrigation.

Why This Should Make Every Buyer Pause

• You’re not just buying property—you’re buying groundwater. High selenium levels could mean chronic health impacts down the line, from neurological harm to reproductive issues.

• This isn’t a distant academic issue. This is reality in Haryana’s region—documented by government tests and corroborated by credible scientific analysis.

• And no, the threat isn’t just “somewhere else.” The arid, concrete-congested area around Gurgaon is vulnerable—groundwater draws go deeper, recharge zones vanish, and contamination risks travel fast.

Wake-up Call

This is not anti-development—it’s pro-awareness.

To anyone eyeing Gurgaon real estate: do not sign that cheque without:

1. Independent, certified groundwater testing—don’t take the builder’s word alone.

2. Asking to see recent selenium-level data—ideally tested by government labs or reputable third parties.

3. Demanding transparency—both in water reports and infrastructure planning that protects aquifers from contamination.

Before you buy, ask:

Are you securing your family's future—or investing in a water supply you might regret?
Source: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2157439&