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The Ganges River, a lifeline for over 500 million people in India, faces severe degradation due to untreated sewage, industrial effluents, and agricultural runoff. This study evaluates spatial and temporal water quality trends in Prayagraj, a critical confluence zone of the Ganges and Yamuna rivers, using a hybrid approach that integrates statistical analyses (one-way analysis of variance [ANOVA] and Pearson correlation) with the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment Water Quality Index (CCME WQI). Water quality parameters—dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, electrical conductivity (EC), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), and total coliform (TC)—were monitored at three stations (Rasoolabad, Kadaghat, and Sangam) from 2019 to 2020. ANOVA results revealed significant interstation differences (p < 0.05) for DO, EC, BOD, and TC, with Kadaghat exhibiting the highest BOD (3.5 mg/L, 2019) and TC (22,750 MPN/100 mL, 2019), attributed to urban sewage and industrial discharges. Conversely, pH showed no significant spatial variation, reflecting its buffering resilience. Correlation analysis highlighted strong inverse relationships between DO and BOD (r = − 0.95 to − 0.97) and positive associations between EC and TC (r = 0.62–0.94), emphasizing the synergistic impacts of organic and fecal pollution. The CCME WQI demonstrated notable temporal improvements: Rasoolabad’s WQI surged from “fair” (74.53, 2019) to “excellent” (87.76, 2020), while Kadaghat and Sangam transitioned to “good” (75.65, 2020). These shifts aligned with reduced BOD (−30%) and TC (− 70%) in 2020, attributable to COVID-19-induced industrial closures and enhanced effluent treatment. However, persistently high EC (357 µS/cm at Sangam, 2020) signaled unresolved inorganic contamination from agricultural runoff, necessitating targeted interventions. The study underscores the efficacy of pollution control measures, as evidenced by the 2020 improvements, while highlighting the need for sustained efforts to address nonpoint sources like fertilizers. By integrating statistical rigor with index-based assessment, this research provides a replicable framework for holistic river management, emphasizing the importance of localized strategies in safeguarding the Ganges’ ecological and cultural legacy.

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Comprehensive Evaluation of Water Quality of the Sacred City: A Case Study of Prayagraj, India

  • 会议论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年

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  • Abhishek Kumar Tripathi,
  • Sudhir Kumar,
  • Mahesh Kumar Jat

摘要

The Ganges River, a lifeline for over 500 million people in India, faces severe degradation due to untreated sewage, industrial effluents, and agricultural runoff. This study evaluates spatial and temporal water quality trends in Prayagraj, a critical confluence zone of the Ganges and Yamuna rivers, using a hybrid approach that integrates statistical analyses (one-way analysis of variance [ANOVA] and Pearson correlation) with the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment Water Quality Index (CCME WQI). Water quality parameters—dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, electrical conductivity (EC), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), and total coliform (TC)—were monitored at three stations (Rasoolabad, Kadaghat, and Sangam) from 2019 to 2020. ANOVA results revealed significant interstation differences (p < 0.05) for DO, EC, BOD, and TC, with Kadaghat exhibiting the highest BOD (3.5 mg/L, 2019) and TC (22,750 MPN/100 mL, 2019), attributed to urban sewage and industrial discharges. Conversely, pH showed no significant spatial variation, reflecting its buffering resilience. Correlation analysis highlighted strong inverse relationships between DO and BOD (r = − 0.95 to − 0.97) and positive associations between EC and TC (r = 0.62–0.94), emphasizing the synergistic impacts of organic and fecal pollution. The CCME WQI demonstrated notable temporal improvements: Rasoolabad’s WQI surged from “fair” (74.53, 2019) to “excellent” (87.76, 2020), while Kadaghat and Sangam transitioned to “good” (75.65, 2020). These shifts aligned with reduced BOD (−30%) and TC (− 70%) in 2020, attributable to COVID-19-induced industrial closures and enhanced effluent treatment. However, persistently high EC (357 µS/cm at Sangam, 2020) signaled unresolved inorganic contamination from agricultural runoff, necessitating targeted interventions. The study underscores the efficacy of pollution control measures, as evidenced by the 2020 improvements, while highlighting the need for sustained efforts to address nonpoint sources like fertilizers. By integrating statistical rigor with index-based assessment, this research provides a replicable framework for holistic river management, emphasizing the importance of localized strategies in safeguarding the Ganges’ ecological and cultural legacy.