The Aglar river flows through Aglar-watershed (Jaunpur Block), which lies within geocoordinates 30°27’4” to 30°38’5” N and longitude 77°56’15” to 78°18’45” E under lesser Himalayan range at the altitude of 450 to 3022m. The aim of the present study was to assess the water quality of Aglar river with respect to the biological and bacteriological parameters and its impact on the health of rural folks of the area. Four different sites/locations were selected on the basis of changes in altitude and morphology for the analysis of water samples during summer, rainy and winter season for two years (2003–2005). Results revealed that the phytoplanktons in river Aglar had diverse assemblage of major taxonomic groups. Many of these forms had different physiological and environmental requirements depending on the number, type and distribution of these organisms present in aquatic environmental condition prevailing in particular habitat. Among the zooplanktons, protozoans and insects occurred in quite large numbers which indicated the polluted condition of water. On the other hand the presence of crustaceans of zooplankton taxon indicated the healthy condition of water. Distyla, Monostyla, Keratella, Branchionus were dominant genera. In the present study at site (I), in summer and rainy season, at site (III) in rainy and winter season and at site (IV) in summer and rainy season, the coliform found were higher. This increase might be due to the anthropogenic disturbances. The present study revealed that the water being used by the people of Jaunpur block were ignorant about the risk to health and hygiene related to water quality of the area. It was observed that people of the block suffered from the diseases like diarrohoea, gastroentritis, typhoid and amoebic dysentary due to poor and deteriorated quality of water.
Water Quality, Biological/Bacteriological Parameters, Rural Health
