Physico-Chemical Analysis of Asan River Water in the Monsoon Season in Uttrakhand, India

Abstract

Water is a vital resource for sustaining life, yet its availability and quality are increasingly compromised by pollution, particularly in India. The improper disposal of hazardous wastes into rivers, driven by rapid urbanization and industrialization, has significantly deteriorated water quality. This study addresses the pressing need for safe drinking water by conducting a seasonal assessment of the Asan River, a tributary of the Yamuna River in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India. During the monsoon season (July-August) of 2024, five water samples were collected from various locations along a 40 km stretch of the river. The research evaluated thirty physico-chemical and biological parameters, including temperature, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS), total dissolved solids (TDS), turbidity, and ion concentrations, along with bacterial counts. The analysis revealed that while most parameters adhered to permissible limits set by WHO and Indian Standard Specifications for drinking water (ISS:10500), turbidity, sodium, and potassium levels exceeded acceptable thresholds. High turbidity shows the linkages to natural factors such as rainfall and soil erosion, as well as anthropogenic activities including construction and agricultural runoff. Elevated sodium and potassium concentrations are attributed to rock weathering and wastewater discharge from agricultural and industrial sources. Although sodium and potassium are essential nutrients, excessive levels pose risks to human health and aquatic ecosystems.  The study shows the negative correlation coefficient of -0.811 between temperature and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), suggesting that as temperature increases, BOD tends to decrease. The findings highlight the complex interactions between pH and key water quality indicators. The findings emphasize the urgent need for continuous monitoring and effective management of river ecosystems to ensure water quality and public health protection amidst increasing pollution challenges.