An integrated study of water quality in the Ganol River Basin, India: Application of hydro-chemical, multivariate statistical, and water quality index techniques

The Ganol River, a vital water source for Meghalaya, India, faces significant environmental degradation due to human activities, primarily the improper disposal of domestic and commercial wastes. This study aims to assess the current water quality of the Ganol River through hydro-chemical analysis, multivariate statistical methods, and Water Quality Index (WQI) analysis. Over a span of 6 years (2014-2020), monthly water samples were collected from ten source points or stations along the river. The findings revealed that some environmental variables had mean values below the standard limit, while others, notably dissolved oxygen (DO) and turbidity, had higher values. The Pearson correlation coefficients was used to establish the closeness or relationship within and between physico-chemical characteristics, with some displaying strong positive connections and others showing moderate to negative correlations. The study identified several key environmental contaminants, including conductivity, BOD, COD, TSS, D.O, chloride, TDS, sulphate, hardness, calcium, magnesium, potassium, fecal coliform, and total coliform, based on their highest factor loading values. Such contaminants are significantly impacting aquatic life and the overall ecosystem of the Ganol River. Moreover, the Water Quality Index (WQI) assessment indicated a continuous decline annually in the water quality of the Ganol River. This decline poses a severe threat to the river's sustainability and the well-being of the communities relying on it for various purposes.