Evaluation of the Water Quality Index in River Brahmani, Odisha in the Light of National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) Standards

The present study was undertaken to ascertain the quality of water in Brahmani River as per the standards proposed by NSF. A Water Quality Index provides a number that expresses overall water quality at a certain location and time based on several water quality parameters. Water Quality Index offers a useful representation of overall quality of water for public use. It may also act as a beacon light to redress the abatement of water pollution as well as quality management of water. Eight parameters such as pH, dissolved oxygen, faecal coliform, total solids, turbidity, total phosphate, nitrate and biochemical oxygen demand have been taken for the calculation WQI in the river Brahmani from Panposh to Gharghari Ghat. As per WQI values water was of good quality at Rengali-Samal region and was inferior at Tarkera (Rourkela region). Further it was found that the water quality was inferior even at Durgapur, Kamalang, Bido and Jokodia owing to discharge of industrial effluents. Thus, WQI can be used as an effective tool to determine the quality of the river water thereby enhancing the general awareness of the public in an easy and understandable manner.