WATER QUALITY ANALYSIS OF RIVER BHOGDOI FOR A STRETCH THROUGH JORHAT TOWN OF ASSAM

Abstract

This study is focussed at analysing the water quality of river Bhogdoi, identifying causes of its deterioration due to pint and non-point source pollution and recommending a series of measures for restoration of the health of the river. There lies a considerable number of point-source as well as non-point-sources on both sides of the river, which have a typical impact on the water quality. Pollutants from these sources discharge into the river due to the lack of stringent rules and regulations. The city of Jorhat collects its water from the river and considerable size of the population depends upon the river directly or indirectly. Further, this polluted water reaches the downstream areas where farmers grow various crops. It is feared that many of the toxins carried by the water of Bhogdoi get deposited in the crop fields and have already become a part of the food chain. In light of these considerations, a scientific study was felt to be of necessity to analyse the gravity of the situation. Accordingly, major physical, chemical and biological indicators of the water of river Bhogdoi were tested.