Monitoring water quality of River Ganga using multivariate techniques and WQI (Water Quality Index) in Western Himalayan region of Uttarakhand, India

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The quality of high altitude glaciers fed surface water across Himalayan regions is very sensitive to global climate change and anthropogenic activities. In order to maintain and conserve the water quality of significant rivers like Ganga, a proper and regular monitoring system is essentially required. The Upper Ganga Basin in Himalayan terrain, covering a stretch of ∼294 km from Gangotri to Haridwar has been selected in order to perceive the water chemistry of River Ganga, using multivariate statistical techniques, such as Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Pearson Correlation Matrix and Cluster Analysis (CA). The study was carried out at twenty four sampling sites during three seasons i.e., pre-monsoon (May–June), monsoon (August–September) and post-monsoon (December) in the year 2016. The dominance of Total Coliform (TC) (MPN/100 ml) was found less in the epirhithron zone but was found higher in the metarhithron and hyporhithron zone of the river basin during pre-monsoon (average 174.62 ± 185.71), monsoon (average 176.18 ± 192.44) and post-monsoon (average 37.76 ± 39.26). The outcomes from the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) predicted the impact of geogenic and anthropogenic inputs on the hydrochemistry of river water. Additionally, Water Quality Index (WQI)indicated from “excellent” to “good” status of Ganga River water quality. The findings of the study help to understand that the Ganga River water quality is affected by anthropogenic activities related to domestic sewage, industrial effluents, agriculture runoff, religious tourism, and weathering processes. River water in hyporhithron segment can be a potential threat to human health, and aquatic life, if not treated well. This study can provide relevant information for policy makers, aquatic researchers, riparian population (local communities, priest, vendors, and hoteliers), tourists and government officials. With the help of this study, a strengthened environment policy can be implemented with proper management plan to maintain the ecological integrity of River Ganga.