WATER QUALITY INDEX OF RIVER WAN

Dr. Vekanteshwar reddy Dr . S. R. Mise

V. S. Rajamanya B. I. Khadakbhavi

ABSTRACT :

The River Wan or Wanganga (tributary of River Godavari) is principal source

of water for drinking, irrigation, and for industrial use situated in the vicinity of Beed
District of Maharashtra State. Anthropogenic activities are posing serious threat
towards pollution of Riverian system. As a result, river Wan is not only serving as
water resources, but as a sewer for municipal sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural
and urban run off. Because of multiple use of river water, river ecology has gained
immense importance in recent years. Therefore a study on the physicochemical
characteristics of the River at selected points has been presented.

A simple, comprehensive water quality index system devised by NSF of USA

was applied to asses overall water quality for intended use of water.

Key words: Anthropogenic activities, Water quality index, river ecology,

physicochemical characteristics,

I. INTRODUCTION :

Water is basic precondition for life. Quality of water like sunshine is

responsible for the quality in a demographic region. Quality and quantity of water at
place plays a vital role in health, wealth and prosperity of region. Water is life
therefore quality of water is synonymous with quality of life.

The continued increase in global population; associated Socio-economic

pressure on fresh water resources and general lack on sanitation and waste treatment-
facilities are placing increasing demands on available water. One of the basic principle
causes for water scarcity is degradation of water quality.

Out of available freshwater, surface water is the major source for all purposes.
It has historically seen that surface water not only serving as source of water but also
convenient sewer for, industrial and sewage alike for industrial and sewage alike.

The objective of the present research is to provide information on

physicochemical characteristics of River Wan in order to appreciate the impacts of

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unregulated waste discharge on the quality of river as well as to discuss, its suitability
for human consumption based on water quality index values.

Water quality index is one of the most effective tools to communicate

information on the quality of water to the concerned citizens parameter for the
assessment and management of reflecting the composite influence of different water
quality parameters.

WQI is calculated from the point of view of suitability of surface water for
human consumption. The materials and methods for analysis of water quality index is
presented in Section II. Results and Discussions have been presented in Section III
followed by Conclusions in Section IV.

II. MATERIALS AND METHODS:

River Wan is located in north-east part of Maharashtra, Beed district, lies
between lat. 18 52’30” and long. 76 25’30”, on altitude of 550 m above mean sea
level, it has travel length of about 67 km. the average annual rainfall in the catchments
area is 525 mm. It covers drainage area of 372 sq.km in the upper Wan and its
tributaries have been availed of in the construction of Wan project at Nagapur. At D/S
of Wan project tributaries of Wan River viz. Padmavati and Bhaupari rivers
confluence at 45 km & 57 km respectively forming Wan sub basin as a part of
Godavari basin with drainage area of 802.17 sq. km and 767.86 M CFT of water.

The present study is confirmed to a stretches of 15 km at U/S and 10km at D/S

of Wan project. Water samples (03 each (Total, 06)) at U/S and D/S of Wan project
where outfalls in the forms of municipal sewage, Industrial effluents and agricultural
runoff are discharged into the river, were collected.

Water samples were collected from sampling station at monthly intervals for a
period of two years. Collected samples were analyzed for said parameters using APHA
(1995). Care is taken in selecting sampling station in order to give comprehensive idea
of overall quality of river.

Calculation of WQI :

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 The water Quality Index (WQI) was calculated using the Weighted Arithmetic
Index method. The quality rating scale for each parameter qi was calculated by using
the expression :

Qi = (Ci/Si) x 100

A quality rating scale (qi) for each parameter is assigned by dividing its
concentration (Ci) in each water sample by its respective standard (Si) and the result
multiplied by 100.

Relative weight (Wi) was calculated by a value inversely proportional to the

recommended standard (Si) of the corresponding parameter:
Wi = 1/Si
The overall Water Quality Index (WQI) was calculated by aggregating the
rating (Qi) with unit weight (Wi) linearly :
WQI = Σ Wiqi
Generally, WQI were discussed for a specific and intended use of water. In this
study the WQI for drinking purposes is considered and permissible WQI for the
drinking water is taken as 100 :
∑qi wi
Overall WQI =
∑wi
Table 1 : Physico-chemical characteristics and calculation of water quality index
of River Wan
Sr. No. Parameter Overall average seasonal value
1 pH 7.18
2 TDS (Total Dissolved School) 516
3 Total Hardness 368
4 Calcium 246
5 Magnesium 122
6 Sodium 12
7 Potassium 31
8 Chloride 110
9 Sulphate 30.0
10 Iron 0.52
11 Electrical conductivity 825

All units are in mg/l except pH and EC (micromhos/cm)

Table 2 : Computed WQI values for River Wan

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 Parameter Std. Permissible Wi qi qiwi
value Ci
Si = x 100
Si
pH 7-8.5 0.13 92.64 12.04
TDS 500 0.002 1.032 0.2
Total HARD 200 0.005 233.5 1.16
Calcium 75 0.0133 489.33 4.89
Magnesium 30 0.0330 33.33 10
Sodium 20 0.050 63.5 3.175
Potassium 10 0.100 31 3.10
Chloride 200 0.005 55 0.275
Sulphate 200 0.0 28.5 0.1225
Iron 1 0.01 52 52
Electrical 400 0.0025 206.25 0.515
conductivity
Total 1.346 87.827

∑qi wi 87 .827
Overall WQI = =
∑wi 1.346

= 65.24 < 100

As WQI is less than 100, fit for drinking purpose.

Table 3 : Water quality classification based on WQI value

WQI value Water quality
< 50 Excellent
50-100 Good - water
100-200 Poor – water
200-300 Very poor water
> 300 Water unsuitable for drinking

III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION :

The pH is a measure of hydrogen ion concentration and important indicator of

water quality and extent pollution in watershed areas. Its value determines whether
water is acidic or alkaline. IS: 10500, prescribed the limiting value of pH between 65
to 85 for potable waters. The pH values for all samples ranges between …….. and
were found to be within limits.

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 The desirable limits for total discovered solids as IS : 10500 is 500 mg/l, where
as the permissible limits in absence of alternate source is 2000 mg/lit, beyond this
palatability decreases and may cause gastro intestinal irritation. In the water samples
collected from river the TDS veowers from ………. to ……….. and were within
desirable limits.

The total hardness is sum of calcium and magnesium concentrations both

expressed as CaCo3 in mg/l. Carbonates and bicarbonates of calcium and magnesium
causes temporary hardness. Sulphates and chlorides cause permanent hardness. The
permissible limit for hardness is 600 mg/l. as per IS : 10500, values beyond this causes
encrustation in water supply and adverse effect on domestic use.

The hardness levels in the samples was between ……………. to ……………

and were below permissible limits.

The presence of calcium in water results from passage through or over deposits
of lime-stone, dolomite, gypsum and such other calcium becoming rocks.

The desirable and permissible limits as per IS : 10500 for calcium hardness is
75 mg/lit and 200 mg/lit. The samples collected were in the range of …………..
Hence found to be within desirable limit.

Magnesium hardness is relatively abundant element available in earths crust. It

is important element contributing to hardness, generally present in lower concentration
than calcium.

In the samples collected from river the overall hardness lies between …….. was
found to be within permissible limit.

Sodium is also one of most abundant available element in natural water and is
due to vast use in agriculture and existence in boiler fad water, the samples of river
bears average value of ……. and was found to be under permissible limit.

Potassium ranks seventh among the element in order of abundance, but exist
and in river water remains low. The sample average value are below permissible limit.

The presence of chlorides in natural water can mainly attributed to dissolution

of salt deposits in the form of ions (ci), high concentration may indicate pollution by
sewage, industrial wastes or saline water. It is the major form of inorganic anions in
water for aquatic life. High chloride content has a delecterious effect on metallic pipes
and structures as well as agricultural plants.

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 The desirable limit for chloride is 250 mg/l as per IS : 10500. The average
chloride level in the water samples was …….. and hence within permissible limit.

Sulphates are found appreciably in all natural waters, particularly those with
high salt content. Besides industrial pollution and domestic sewage, biological
oxidations.

IV. CONCLUSION:
At the outset, the study of physico-chemical characters of River Wan reveals
that, river water can be used for public consumption. The overall WQI of the samples
was 65.25, is use than 100, the upper limit for drinking water. Application of Water
Quality Index (WQI) in this study has been found useful in assessing the overall quality
of water. This method appears tobe more systematic and gives comparative evaluation
of water quality of sampling stations. It is also helpful for public to understand the
quality of water as well as being useful tool in many ways in the field of water quality
management.

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