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<p>River pollution is increasingly driven by municipal sewage, industrial effluents, and agricultural runoff, posing significant threats to freshwater ecosystems. This study evaluated the impact of wastewater discharges on river water quality and irrigation suitability along the upper Ganga River in Uttarakhand, using 19 physicochemical and microbial indices. For this purpose, a total of 48 water samples were collected from eight sampling locations during the post-monsoon, monsoon, and pre-monsoon seasons from 2023 to 2025. Water Quality Index (WQI), water pollution index (WPI), principal component analysis (PCA), and irrigation indices (SAR, RSC, KI, Na%, MAR, and PI) were applied to samples collected from sewage treatment plants (STPs) and river water. Piper diagram and Gibbs plots were used to characterize the hydrochemical composition of the river water and identify the major mechanisms controlling its chemical evolution. Results showed that the total dissolved solids of river water, inlets, and outlets of STP range from 44 to 148&#xa0;mg/l, 166 to 587&#xa0;mg/l, and 67–446&#xa0;mg/l, respectively. Treatment of wastewater substantially reduced pollutant loads; however, treated effluents still contained elevated BOD, COD, total coliforms (741–1540 MPN/100&#xa0;mL), and <i>E. coli</i> (390–654 MPN/100&#xa0;mL), indicating incomplete removal of organic matter and pathogens. River water exhibited good quality (WQI: 62.7–82.4; WPI: 0.38–0.50) and excellent irrigation suitability (SAR &lt; 1.2; Na% &lt; 25). In contrast, mixing zone samples showed moderate deterioration (WQI: 72.9–79.5; WPI: 0.61–0.67) due to residual effluent influence. The findings of this study indicate that the water quality of the Ganga River is significantly influenced by anthropogenic activities, including domestic sewage, industrial discharges, agricultural runoff, and tourism, as well as geogenic processes. Deteriorating water quality poses risks to human health and aquatic ecosystems. The study highlights the need for advanced wastewater treatment and stricter effluent management to protect river health and support Sustainable Development Goal 6.</p>

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Multi-proxy hydrochemical and microbial fingerprinting of sewage contamination in the Upper Ganga River, Uttarakhand

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月28日

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  • Rakesh Kumar Parida,
  • Manish Pant,
  • Santosh Kumar Rai

摘要

River pollution is increasingly driven by municipal sewage, industrial effluents, and agricultural runoff, posing significant threats to freshwater ecosystems. This study evaluated the impact of wastewater discharges on river water quality and irrigation suitability along the upper Ganga River in Uttarakhand, using 19 physicochemical and microbial indices. For this purpose, a total of 48 water samples were collected from eight sampling locations during the post-monsoon, monsoon, and pre-monsoon seasons from 2023 to 2025. Water Quality Index (WQI), water pollution index (WPI), principal component analysis (PCA), and irrigation indices (SAR, RSC, KI, Na%, MAR, and PI) were applied to samples collected from sewage treatment plants (STPs) and river water. Piper diagram and Gibbs plots were used to characterize the hydrochemical composition of the river water and identify the major mechanisms controlling its chemical evolution. Results showed that the total dissolved solids of river water, inlets, and outlets of STP range from 44 to 148 mg/l, 166 to 587 mg/l, and 67–446 mg/l, respectively. Treatment of wastewater substantially reduced pollutant loads; however, treated effluents still contained elevated BOD, COD, total coliforms (741–1540 MPN/100 mL), and E. coli (390–654 MPN/100 mL), indicating incomplete removal of organic matter and pathogens. River water exhibited good quality (WQI: 62.7–82.4; WPI: 0.38–0.50) and excellent irrigation suitability (SAR < 1.2; Na% < 25). In contrast, mixing zone samples showed moderate deterioration (WQI: 72.9–79.5; WPI: 0.61–0.67) due to residual effluent influence. The findings of this study indicate that the water quality of the Ganga River is significantly influenced by anthropogenic activities, including domestic sewage, industrial discharges, agricultural runoff, and tourism, as well as geogenic processes. Deteriorating water quality poses risks to human health and aquatic ecosystems. The study highlights the need for advanced wastewater treatment and stricter effluent management to protect river health and support Sustainable Development Goal 6.