Abstract:
This study aimed to assess the water quality of the Kalu Ganga Basin using the
Water Quality Index (WQD method. Water samples were collected from three
different locations within the basin, and various physicochemical parameters
such as pH, Turbidity, and Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Electrical
conductivity (EC), Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Ammonia, Total Alkalinity, Total
Hardness, Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Iron, Sulphate, Nitrate
were measured. The WQI was calculated using the weighted arithmetic mean
method, and the results were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
The results showed that the WQI values varied across the three locations, with
the highest mean value recorded at kandana (118.7), followed by Ilimba
(98.38) and Raw Kalu ganga (72.41). The study revealed that the water quality
in the Kalu Ganga Basin was below the good water quality, as all WQI values
fell within the "good" and "poor" category. However, the study identified some
areas for improvement, particularly in the Raw Kalu Ganga area) which had a
lower WQI value compared to the other two locations. The results can be used
in policy and decision-making regarding water resource management and
conservation efforts in the area.
