Arsenic which is found in water is responsible for cancer.
The desirable drinking water standard for total dissolved solids is 500 mg/l.
If there are no alternate sources of water available then the permissible limit is increased to 2000 mg/l.
Dissolved solids are organic/inorganic compounds such as salts, and heavy metals, etc.
They cause health hazards like cancer due to the presence of heavy metals like arsenic etc.
The arsenic problem in India is primarily due to the overexploitation of groundwater in the affected areas.
The permitted level of arsenic in drinking water is 0.05 mg/liter, as per WHO. Bureau of Indian Standards gives the acceptable limit of arsenic in drinking water to 0.01 mg/litre and in absence of other alternative sources to 0.05 mg/litre.