Water quality assessment of Swan River in Himachal Pradesh, India

The paper attempts to evaluate water quality indices (WQI) using water quality parameters like pH, Temperature, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Turbidity, Total coli form, Total Phosphorous, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Hardness, Chloride (Cl), Nitrate (NO₃), Sulphate (SO₄) and Fluoride (F) measured at 8 locations on Swan River in HP of India. Water quality index (WQI) was determined using National Sanitation Foundation Index (NSFWQI) and overall index of pollution (OIP) on 100 & 16 point scale to assess the water quality. The observed values of indices are compared with prescribed classes and ratings, which gives an idea about remedial measures to be taken for the abatement of pollution. The results indicated that water quality of Swan river varied from ‘Good to Medium’ by NSFWQI and ‘Acceptable to slightly polluted’ by OIP method. Further the water quality of the river is found to vary between B & C as per DBU Classification of inland surface water (CPCB standards), showing that water is fit for outdoor bathing and for drinking water with conventional treatment. The BOD and DO exceeded permissible limits at most of the locations indicating the deterioration of water quality due to the lack of proper sanitation, discharge of untreated and partially treated waste waters and MSW into river.