Chapter 7 - Evaluation of water quality in the Brahmani River basin, Odisha: A multicriteria decision-making approach for sustainable management

Abstract

This study assesses the water quality of the Brahmani River in Odisha, India, a critical source of local drinking water, ecology, and economy. Data spanning three years (2020–23) from seven different sites were analyzed using the CRITIC-based water quality index (WQI) and multicriteria decision-making methods like MOORA. These methods incorporated weights and rough set theory to produce an unbiased evaluation of pollution levels. Spatial mapping was conducted using the inverted distance weighting (IDW) interpolation method in ArcGIS 10.5. Most water quality parameters were found to be within the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, indicating generally safe levels for human consumption. However, certain stations revealed compromised water quality, particularly station St-(1), which had the highest pollution level with a performance score of Yj=0.54. Station 7 also recorded high levels of pollution, mainly due to household waste, industrial effluents, and agricultural runoff. Overall, the study's findings indicate a range from good to poor water quality across the sampling locations, with none achieving excellent status. The water is slightly alkaline, but dissolved oxygen (DO) levels are healthy. The subpar water quality is primarily attributed to poor management of domestic, industrial, and agricultural wastes. The study recommends continuous monitoring and local regulatory interventions to mitigate both point-source and diffuse pollution. Given the river's significant role in the community, urgent measures are needed for ecological sustainability. The methodologies employed also offer a framework for future water quality research.