Pollution status and water quality assessment in pre-monsoon season: A case study of rural villages in Allahabad district, Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

Water quality of village ponds being the main source of water for irrigation, washing, bathing and drinking purposes in rural India, has been observed deteriorating due to discharge from local industries, domestic waste, land and agricultural drainage. The main objective of present work is to study status of water quality and pollution status of some major rural village ponds situated in industrial activity zone of Allahabad district, Uttar Pradesh. Water samples were collected and analyzed for pH, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, turbidity, total coliform and fecal coliform during pre-monsoon season from February 1, 2019 to June 30, 2019. It was found that values of pH, DO, BOD, turbidity, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, total coliform and fecal coliform were in the range of 7.45–9.68, 3.85–6.45 mg/l, 12–72 mg/l, 68–312 NTU, 2.568–5.459 mg/l, 3000–13,000 MPN/100 ml and 2400–10,000 MPN/100 ml, respectively. High values of turbidity, BOD, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, total coliform and fecal coliform indicated pollution in pond water and eutrophication of ponds. Results of the present study were compared with acceptable limits given in Indian Standard IS 10500:2012 and recommendations to the local authorities (Gram Panchayats and Village Pradhan) were made for safe usage of pond water. The study will not only help and warn the gram panchayats to protect them from many water associated diseases, help the local authorities, save aquatic life maintaining the ecosystem but also contribute a lot to the research keeping the future aspects in this area in focus for other villages.