A comparative assessment of the status of Surajkund and Rani Pond, Aurangabad, Bihar, India using overall Index of Pollution and Water Quality Index

Abstract

The Water Quality Index is one of the most effective tools to communicate information on the quality of water to the people. An attempt was made to assess the annual and seasonal status of Surajkund and Rani Pond, Aurangabad, Bihar, India using the overall Index of Pollution and Water Quality Index from November 2017 to October 2019. The values of eleven parameters namely water temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, total alkalinity, hardness, total dissolved solids, chloride, nitrate and fluoride were calculated following standard methodology. A statistically significant difference was found among these parameters. The values were compared with the standard to determine the overall Index of Pollution and Water Quality Index. Results indicated that electrical conductivity, total alkalinity and total dissolved solid were higher than prescribed limits. The values 1.5–3.50 of the overall Index of Pollution estimated that the average status of water of Surajkund was acceptable (C2) but Rani Pond and Surajkund during the summer season were slightly polluted (C3). The values 74.18–233.89 of the Water Quality Index inferred that the average status of water of Surajkund and Rani Pond was slightly polluted (C3). However, on a seasonal basis, the water quality of Surajkund was acceptable (C2) but Rani Pond was slightly polluted (C3) to polluted (C4). The results revealed anthropogenic activity and entry of untreated sewage in these water bodies. The water quality felt the necessity to adopt proper management policy and conservation efforts to these water bodies.