Assessment of Water Quality Index : A case study of river Gaula at

Haldwani , Uttarakhand , India.

Department of Civil Engineering

Graphic Era Hill University , Bhimtal Campus

Presented by:
Bhavneet Singh (1965002)
Biren Joshi (2065430)
Under the Supervision of:
Nikhil Samant (2065426)
Asst. Prof. Satish Kumar
Mohit Upadhyay (1965008)
OUTLINE
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Literature Review
 Study Area
 Objective
 Methodology Applied
 Result and Discussion
 Conclusion
 Future Scope
 References
 ABSTRACT
Gaula is an important river in Haldwani , Uttarakhand. Hence an attempt has been made to study Water Quality
Index (WQI) and pollution and changes in quality of water.
Water quality index (WQI) is a useful tool for quick estimation of quality of any water resource. The quality of
river water was classified into permissible, slight, moderate and severe on the basis of the pollution strength at
four sampling stations of the river for a period of three season. Assessment of WQI of River Gaula includes
physico-chemical parameters viz. pH, Biological Oxygen Demand, Dissolved Oxygen, Total Alkalinity, Total
Hardness, Total Dissolved Solids, Total Suspended Solids and Chloride that indicate the extent of pollution. The
main causes of deterioration in water quality were lack of proper sanitation, unprotected river sites, high
anthropogenic activities and direct discharge of industrial effluents.

Keywords: Water Quality Index, Pollution, River Gaula, DO, BOD, COD.
 INTRODUCTION
Rivers are the important source of water that plays an important role in development of nation and
sustenance of life. However, they are being polluted due to rapid industrialization, urbanization and other
developmental activities. Gaula is an important river in Uttarakhand , it originates from the Paharpani
village and traverses through kathgodam, Haldwani, Kicha and finally merges into River Ram Ganga at
Bareilly, covering a distance of about 578 km. Recently great concern has been universally voiced
regarding environmental pollution arising as a side effect of rapid industrialization and subsequent
urbanization. Today, the main concern with environmental pollution is with its impact on the health of the
present generation and the future ones. Untreated domestic waste way into the rivers through sewage,
outfalls drains etc. Water quality index is one of the most effective tools to monitor the surface as well as
ground water pollution and can be used efficiently in the implementation of water quality upgrading
programmes (Alam 2010). WQI provides the single number that expresses overall quality based on the
different parameters. It summarizes large amount of water quality data into simple terms i.e. excellent,
good, bad etc. that is easily understandable and usable by public. Four sites namely: Chanfi, Ranibagh,
Haldwani and Outer Haldwani have been selected and the samples were taken for the physico-chemical
analysis of water which includes pH, Biological Oxygen Demand, Dissolved Oxygen, Total Alkalinity,
Total Hardness, Total Dissolved Solids, Total Suspended Solids and Chloride. The present study was
Fig.1. Gaula river , Location : Ranibagh , Haldwani
(Source: Google)

Fig. 2 Gaula Barrage , Location : Ranibagh , Haldwani

(Source: Google)
 Objective
 To investigate the Water Quality Index of Gaula river.
 To predict the water quality and rank it as Excellent, Good and Bad on the
basis of points achieved on score table .
Literature Review

S.No Author and Year Research Details

1 K.Yogendra and E.T
Puttaiah(2008)
2 ASHWANI KUMAR
AND ANISH DUA (2008)
The present study was intended to calculate water quality index(WQI) of
Gopishettykere of Shimoga in different season. This paper deals with the Study
on the influence of environmental perimeter on water quality of water body. The
weighted arithmetic index has been used for calculating of WQI. WQI obtained
for rainy, winter and summer season are 9.6,101.7,106.3 which indicate poor
water quality, PH is 6.2-7.8, concentration of chloride is 156mg/l & 178mg/l.
Concentration of dissolved oxygen is 3mg/l & 4mg/l, BOD concentration is
28mg/l to 33mg/l.
The objective of this study is to investigate the water quality of River Ravi at
Madhopur, District Gurdaspur (India) which is a part of Indus River System. It
was done by considering eight important physico-chemical properties using
Central Public Health Environmental engineering Organisation (CPHEEO),
1991 & Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), 1975 standards. The WQI
values for the River Ravi ranged from 54.8 to 97.88.Total hardness (TH) ranged
from 160 mg/l to 730 mg/l. In the present study, the calcium ion content of water
ranged from 26.69 mg/l to 98.5 mg/l and magnesium ion at the sampling site
ranged from 18.03 mg/l to 120.85 mg/l.
S.No Author and Year Research Details

3 Deepak Gupta, Reetika Water quality assessment of Narmada River along the different topographical
Shukla, Mahesh Prashad regions of the central India Parameters using a portable Oakton multi-parameter
Barya, Gurudatta Singh tester and a pH meter from Hanna. The Winkler method was adopted for DO and
& Virendra Kumar BOD determination, the titrimetric analysis was used to estimate alkalinity and
Mishra EDTA for analysis of both total and calcium hardness. Chloride was determined
(2017-18) using the argent metric method, and NO3− was estimated by spectrophotometer
The pH of the Narmada River varied from slightly acidic to alkaline 6.2-8.9 Ec-
83.1μS/cm-323μS/cmTds-59mg/l-230mg/lAlklinity-10mg/l-118mg/lChloride
conc.-8.5mg/l 138.5mg/l Pre-monsoon BOD ranged from 1.1 mg/l at Bheda ghat to
10.8 mg/l at the Dindori. The calculated WQI implies that the river water quality
was poor at present and is not suitable for daily needs in both seasons.

4 Shiow-Mey Liou, Shang- 2530 samples from 205 monitoring stations on 21 main rivers throughout Taiwan
Lien Lo and Shan-HSIEN are employed, from 1994 to 2000. t is obvious that the value of pH is ranging
Wang (2003) narrowly, so does the measurement of temperature. High and positive correlation
(underlined values) can be observed between DO, BOD5, ammonia nitrogen, SS
and turbidity (r = 0.66 to 0.80). The dissolved oxygen is strongly correlated with
ammonia nitrogen (r = 0.73) and BOD (r = 0.66), which are closely related to
organic contamination.
S.NO Author and Year Research Details

5 Deepak Gupta, Study of River Ramganga at Bareilly U.P. Indiastudy Water Quality Index (WQI) and
Reetika Shukla, pollution or changes in the quality of water. Water Quality Index (WQI) was calculated
Mahesh Prashad by using the Weighted Arithmetic Index method as described by Cude (2001). Water
Barya, Gurudatta Quality Index for different station are 97.94,92.76,108.27it was concluded that the
Singh & Virendra water quality of river Ramganga is unfit for drinking purposes.
Kumar Mishra
(2017-18)

6 Shweta Tyagi, Water Quality Assessment in Terms of Water Quality Index Methods-National
Bhavtosh Sanitation Foundation Water Quality Index (NSFWQI), Canadian Council of Ministers
Sharma ,Prashant of the Environment Water Quality Index (CCME WQI),Oregon Water Quality Index
Singh1, Rajendra (OWQI),Weighted Arithmetic Water Quality Index Method, After the study of different
Dobhal (2013) water quality indices, it may be inferred that the aim of WQI is to give a single value to
water quality of a source along with reducing higher number of parameters into a
simple expression resulting into easy interpretation of water quality monitoring data.
S.NO Author and Year Research Details

7 Cao Truong Son, Cau River is the longest river branch of the Thai Binh River system at 288 km and its
Nguyen ThịHuong basin area covers 6,030 km2. The Vietnam Environmental Agency (VEA)
Giang, Trieu Phuong recommended the WQI as a suitable water index for overall evaluation of water quality
Thao, Nguyen Hai for multiple usage purposes WQI is done according to VEA’s guidance. The average
Nui, Nguyen Thanh WQI scores were 67.52 and 69.67 in the dry and rainy season, respectively, indicating
Lam and Vo Huu sufficient quality for irrigation supply. The average concentration of pollutants was
Cong lower in the dry season, excluding TSS, DO and NH4+The TSS concentration was
double the permission level, ranging from 49.46 to 54.52 mg/L compared to 20 mg/L
of regulated value. The COD concentration was also higher ranging from 11.63 to
13.62 mg/L

8 Salwan Ali Abed Water quality index for Al-Gharraf River, southern IraqThe aim of this research is to
Salam Hussein Ewaid develop a water quality index (WQI) for Al-Gharraf River based on physicochemical
(2017) water quality parameters, The Water Quality Index for the river was calculated from
ele- ven parameters namely: BOD, TDS, pH, DO, turbidity, PO4, NO3, chlorides, TH,
EC, and alkalinity for five sampling stations to assess the suitability of Al-Gharraf
River water for drinking purposes.The WQI was calculated using the weighted
arithmetic water quality index method the observed range of water quality index
values of Al-Gharraf River (without turbidity) is 43.0 to 88.7
S.NO Author and Year Research Details

9 Rahul Ray, Shiva The area of this study is the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The Niger Delta covers an
Shankar Choudhary area of 70,000 Km2 of marshland, creeks, tributaries and lagoons. The WQI has been
and Lal Bahadur Roy calculated by using standards of drinking water quality recommended by the World
(2021) Health Organization (WHO) and Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR). In
the present study, pH ranges from 6.87 to 7.05, 6.53 to 7.20 and 5.74 to 8.9 for the
entire pipe borne water, borehole water and stream water samples analyzed
respectively. it is concluded that all the pipe borne water and bore hole water samples
analyzed in this study are fit and suitable for drinking and for other domestic
applications while the stream water samples are found unfit and unsuitable for human
consumption based on the water quality index standard applied in this study.

10 RUMMAN MOWLA Water quality parameters of 34 different water stations along the Faridpur-Barishal
CHOWDHURY1, road in Bangladesh were collected to determine water quality index (WQI). Six most
SARDAR YAFEE important parameters - pH, total dissolved solids, dissolves oxygen, biochemical
MUNTASIR2 and M. oxygen demand, electrical conductivity and temperature difference were considered
MONOWAR for WQI The calculation of WQI was made using weighted arithmetic index method
HOSSAIN(2012) The observed range of water quality index along the road in pre monsoon is 19 to 96
by the arithmetic mean method. The values of the WQI showed that the water of the
maximum stations are poor and very poor in condition. The results revealed that
although WQI of most of the water bodies are beyond acceptable limit but could be
used for domestic and household purpose after purification.
 The Study Area
Gaula river in Haldwani , Uttarakhand
• Gaula is a major in Haldwani and the source of water supply to entire population of city.

• Gaula river is 578 km long which originates from Paharpani village and meet river RamGanga
in Bareilly.

• As for the investigation , the quality of river Gaula needs to be checked .

Sample Collection
 Methodology
• Details Of Study Area

• Water Quality Index And Its Method

• Parameters Considered For Assessment Of Water Quality Index

• Canadian Council Of Ministers Of The Environment Water Quality

Index(CCMEWQI) Method Used
Details Of Study Area

 The Gaula River, or Gola River, is a river in India originating in the Lesser
Himalayas. It is approximately 500 km (310 mi) long.
 The river is also known by the names of Kichha and Baigul (or more
specifically Baigul West) in its lower course.
 It originates in the Paharpani Village of Uttarakhand state, and flows south
past Kathgodam, Haldwani, Kichha and Shahi, finally joining the Ramganga River
about 15 km (9.3 mi) northwest of Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh, Ramganga in turn is a
tributary of the river Ganges.
 It is mainly a spring fed river; this river is source of water
for Haldwani and Kathgodam. A beautiful dam exists over this river in Kathgodam.
Water Quality Index And Its Methods
Initially, WQI was developed by Horton (1965) in United States by selecting 10 most
commonly used water quality variables like dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, coliforms,
specific conductance, alkalinity and chloride etc. and has been widely applied and
accepted in European, African and Asian countries. The assigned weight reflected
significance of a parameter for a particular use and has considerable impact on the index.
Furthermore, a new WQI similar to Horton’s index has also been developed by the group
of Brown in which was based on weights to individual parameter. Recently, many
modifications have been considered for WQI concept through various scientists and
experts. A general WQI approach is based on the most common factors, which are
described in the following three steps:

•Parameter Selection
•Determination of Quality Function (curve) for Each Parameter Considered as the Sub-
Index
•Sub-Indices Aggregation with Mathematical Expression
•Canadian Council Of Ministers Of The Environment Water Quality Index (CCMEWQI)
Canadian Council Of Ministers Of The Environment
WQI

CCME Water Quality Index formula

Formula 1

Calculation of the index is based on three terms: scope (F1) – number of parameters that are not
compliant with the water quality guidelines, frequency (F2) – number of times that the guidelines are
not respected and amplitude (F3) – the difference between non-compliant measurements and the
corresponding guidelines.
Division of these terms by 1.732 is based on the fact that each of the three factors contributing to the
index can reach the value of 100. The maximal length is, therefore, expressed as:

Formula 2

Division by 1.732 reduces the maximal length to 100. The index produces a value from 0 to 100. The
higher the number, the better is the water quality.
Canadian Council Of Ministers Of The Environment
WQI

Value of WQI Quality of water

96-100 Excellent

81-95 Good

66-80 Medium

46-65 Bad

0-45 Very Bad

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

 The Gaula River during the months of December, January, February, March and April in the year
2022-2023. After calculation the CCMEWQI water quality comes under the category of “medium”.
After calculation the CCMEWQI water quality comes under the category of “medium”. In the
present work the water quality is examined in On the basis of results, various water quality
characteristics were computed and are compared with WHO/BIS/ICMR standards. From this
comparison, presented in the current work the following conclusions can be attained:
 The pH value varies from 8.1 to 9.5 which depicts the alkaline nature of the River water. The reason
behind the alkalinity of the River water may be the high rate of photosynthesis.
 Electrical conductivity ranges between 206 to 265.
 Presence of high amount of suspended matter like organic matter, silt, clay, matter may leads to high
turbidity of water. Turbidity ranges between 15.3 to 20. It is also observed that the amount of
turbidity during all the months (Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May) are above the permissible limit.
Total hardness was recorded between 225 to 324. High temperature and weathering of rocks adds Ca2+ and Mg 2+
salts and gives hardness in water.
TSS ranges from 305 to 465. Maximum value recorded was 465 in the month of May due to the surface runoff and
heavy tourist influx.
TDS ranges from 199 to 342 which are within the permissible limits.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) indicates the health and condition of any water surface. DO is noticed to be within the
range of 7.3 mg/l to 8.8 mg/l. Highest value of DO was found in the month of April.
 BOD being the pollution parameter is primarily used to assess the quality of the water.
It also signifies biodegradable load in the River. The BOD value was found to be
within the permissible limits at all the testing stations, its values ranges from 2.3 to 3.9
 . Highest BOD was found in the month of May, high tourist influx and recreational
activities may be the reasons behind it.
 CONCLUSION

 The results of the current work present the various physical and chemical water
parameters and the quality assessment of Gaula River CCMEWQI. The WQI values
depict that state of water comes under the category “Medium” by CCMEWQI and
requires the appropriate treatment before drinking. It has been observed that quality of
water was deteriorated in the month of April and May due to heavy tourist influx. On
comparison with BIS/ICMR/WHO work also tells that electrical conductivity, turbidity,
pH, hardness were not falls under the permissible value.
FUTURE SCOPE

 The Biological parameters can be investigated in further research.

 The future research can be done further to investigate quality of river Gaula in
upcoming years.
 Stations can be taken near Kicha and at location where Gaula river and Ram Ganga
river meets .
 More data can be collected and analysed for future reference.
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(India). Global journal of environmental sciences, 8(1).

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• Son, C. T., Giang, N. T. H., Thao, T. P., Nui, N. H., Lam, N. T., & Cong, V. H. (2020). Assessment of Cau
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Supply: Research and Technology-Aqua, 69(2), 160-172.

• Ewaid, S. H., & Abed, S. A. (2017). Water quality index for Al-Gharraf river, southern Iraq. The Egyptian
Journal of Aquatic Research, 43(2), 117-122.

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• Etim, E. E., Odoh, R., Itodo, A. U., Umoh, S. D., & Lawal, U. (2013). Water quality index for the assessment
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Thank You