Affiliations: [a] Department of Zoology and Environmental Sciences, Gurukula Kangri University, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India | [b] Department of Chemistry, D.A.V. (P.G.) College, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India | [c] Uttarakhand State Council for Science & Technology, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
Abstract: Ganga Canal is being used for ritual bathing, washing of clothes, domestic needs and irrigational purposes. These activities are leading to degradation in its water quality day by day and thus, month by month and site by site. In order to assess the monthly and spatial variations, water samples of Ganga Canal from its origin to exit point at Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India were assessed for physico-chemical water quality characteristics. These water samples were collected from five sampling sites namely Bhimgoda Barrage, Haridwar (origin point); Premnagar Ashram Ghat, Haridwar; Pathari Power Plant, Bahadrabad; Rail Bridge, Roorkee and Uttam Sugar Mill Limited, Narsan (exit point). Total 15 water quality characteristics namely pH, EC, TDS, turbidity, total hardness, alkalinity, bicarbonate, chloride, sulphate, nitrate, fluoride, sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium were analyzed on monthly basis from March, 2014 to August, 2014. The values of turbidity and fluoride in analyzed water samples exceeded their respective permissible limits as per Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), 2012 specifications. Magnesium was detected more than its desirable limit at three study sites namely S-3, S-4 and S-5. Moreover, the water quality assessment of Ganga Canal was found to be excellent for irrigation purpose with respect to three irrigation water quality parameters viz. Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR), Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC) and Sodium Percent (Na%). The results emphasized need of regular assessment and proper monitoring of Ganga Canal water for maintaining its water quality and subsequently, health of local population along with millions of tourists and pilgrims at Haridwar.
Keywords: Ganga canal, water quality, irrigation water quality, Haridwar
