Overall Water Quality Index in Uttarkashi City, Uttarakhand

The present study was conducted in the years 2020–21 in Uttarkashi City to evaluate seasonal dynamics of groundwater using Water Quality Index. Water samples were collected mainly from taps, springs, raw water and hand pumps. Water samples collected from fifteen sampling locations were analyzed in triplicate in the laboratory. The overall Water Quality Index calculated from the observed parameters has indicated that groundwater in Uttarkashi City was suitable for domestic requirements. Drinking water sources are disappearing and the level of groundwater source is also gradually falling. Serious challenges are being faced regarding the supply of good quality drinking water in Uttarkashi city. There is a need for organizational and technical reforms along with appropriate engineering and infrastructural support to suit the hilly conditions of the state. However, current and future crisis will not only be solved by new and technological advances, but also by changing the way, we use and manage our water sources. In the future, strict laws and regulations are expected to be used to protect fresh water resources for domestic use and prevent pollution.