WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF GANGA CANAL SYSTEM

Abstract

Canal system is one of major requirement of modern civilization for the sustainable utilization of water in river basins. Ganga canal is one such example of canal system created on River Ganga Basin in India; originate at Bhimgoda Barrage, Haridwar. Current study is focused on Ganga canal to assess the physico-chemical parameters during 2011 – 2012 at Haridwar (Uttarakhand) with Bhimgoda Barrage (Site 1 -Control Site) and Bahadrabad (Site 2 – sampling site). During investigation maximum Turbidity (233.8 ±104.60 JTU), Total Solids (933.00 ±216.44 mgl-1) and minimum Velocity (0.93 ±0.355 ms-1), Free CO2 (1.85 ±0.14 mgl-1) and Transparency (0.22 ±0.15 m) were recorded in monsoon season at site 2. While maximum pH (8.1 ± 0.1), Total Hardness (84.38 ±4.65 mgl-1) and Dissolved Oxygen (8.64 ± 1.02 mgl-1) were recorded in summer season at Site 2 in comparison with Site 1. The mean values of these parameters were compared with WHO and ISI standards and found significant differences (p less than 0.05) in the mean values of Turbidity, Total solids (TS), pH, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Free CO2 and Total Hardness (TH) with sampling Sites. The Turbidity of both the Site 1 and 2 was recorded above the permissible limit, but higher at site 2 in comparison to Site 1. The values of the studied parameters were more during rainy season and summer season at Site 2 as compared with Site 1. The results indicated that most of the physico-chemical parameters from Ganga canal system were within or at margin in comparison to permissible limit of ISI and WHO for drinking water and therefore, may be suitable for domestic purposes, but it require noticeable consideration due to extreme changes in climate and increase in pollution.