Water quality characteristics of River Tons at District-Dehradun, Uttarakhand (India)

Abstract

In the present research work an approach to assess the water quality status of Tons river at Dehradun (Uttarakhand) has been done during January 2008 to June 2008. The Tons is the largest tributary of the Yamuna and flows through Garhwal region in Uttarakhand, touching Himachal Pradesh. Its source lies in the 20,720 ft (6,315 meters) high Bandarpunch mountain and is one of the most major perennial Indian Himalayan rivers. The parameters studied were temperature, velocity, TS, TDS, TSS, pH, free CO2, DO, hardness, calcium, magnesium, BOD, COD, chloride and alkalinity. Except DO all the studied parameters showed higher range of values in summer period and lower values in winter period. On the other hand DO showed reversed pattern by reveling maximum values in winter which may be due to higher solubility of oxygen at lower ambient temperature. Water of river Tons is of alkaline in nature so far as pH is concerned. The average values of BOD, TS, hardness and alkalinity were observed beyond the standard limits. The presence of bacteria was clearly shown by the value of BOD which has gone beyond the standard limit that can affect public health by causing fatal diseases.