Evaluation of Water Quality of Ganges River Using Water Quality Index Tool

Abstract

Water quality of Ganges river was evaluated using the Water Quality Index (WQI) tool. Water sampled at five designated locations from Rishikesh to Allahabad (about 720 km long stretch). Collected samples were measured by ion chromatography, titrimetry and aquameter kit methods. The parameters like pH, electrical conductivity (EC), dissolved oxygen (DO), total dissolved solids (TDS), turbidity, salinity, major cations e.g. Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, major anions e.g. F-, Cl-, SO42-, NO32- and alkalinity of samples were measured at designated locations. Subsequently, WQI has been calculated from all the measured parameters. The result showed WQI of Ganges river water from Rishikesh to Allahabad ranged from 28.93 to 73.24 which denotes degradation of water quality along the downstream. In addition, values of most of the evaluated parameters increased significantly along the downstream of river suggesting that local environmental pollutants contributed incrementally in deterioration of the quality of river water. Pearson correlation matrix analysis showed a strong correlation between some of the measured parameters suggesting their origin from common source. WQI values showed easy understanding and trend of water quality of Ganges river. These results point towards requirement of urgent plans for prevention of river water pollution.

Keywords

• water quality index
• water chemistry
• water quality
• Ganges river