Assessment of water quality using different physicochemical and biological parameters: a case study of Buddha nallah, Punjab, India

Abstract

For the assessment of physicochemical and microbiological quality of Buddha Nallah the water samples were drawn from 7 different sites and analysed during winter (December 2020) and summer (May 2021) for most probable number, heterotrophic plate count, total coliform, fecal coliform, indicator, emerging pathogens and physicochemical parameters. A strong correlation was found among the indicator organisms (r= 0.504-0.898), while relatively weak or no correlation was found between indicator and emerging pathogens. Moreover, the correlation between indicator and emerging pathogens was found to be heavily dependent on physicochemical parameters. Cluster analysis successfully classified the different polluted sites based on physicochemical and microbiological parameters. The water quality index (WQI) score of all sites was found between 0-25 indicating poor water quality and emergency treatment is required for reuse. Based on present study results, it has been concluded that water of study area is highly polluted and pose serious health risk concerns due to presence of fecal and emerging pathogens in samples.