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International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET)

e-ISSN: 2395-0056

Volume: 12 Issue: 02 | Feb 2025

p-ISSN: 2395-0072

www.irjet.net

Assessment of Water Quality Parameters of the Yamuna River: A case study of Wazirabad Barrage aKunal, aManju,aRupin, bDr. Abdul Rehman aB.Tech. Civil Engineering Student, Lingaya's Vidyapeeth, Faridabad, Haryana, India bAssistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Lingaya's Vidyapeeth, Faridabad, Haryana, India

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Abstract - Untreated sewage, industrial effluents, and agricultural runoff all contribute to the serious pollution of the Yamuna River, a crucial water source in northern India. The Wazirabad Barrage is a crucial location where pollution has a major impact on river health, and this study assesses the water quality parameters there. To evaluate factors like pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), turbidity, and heavy metal concentrations, a number of physicochemical and biological tests were carried out. Levels of contamination were measured using standard analytical methods, such as spectrophotometry and APHA. The water is deemed extremely polluted and unfit for drinking, aquatic life, or irrigation due to the results, which show high BOD and COD, low DO, and excessive TDS. The Water Quality Index (WQI) assessment confirms a poor water quality status, highlighting the urgent need for intervention. The findings suggest that advanced wastewater treatment technologies, strict industrial discharge regulations, and sustainable water resource management are essential to improving river conditions. This study provides valuable insights for environmental agencies and policymakers, aiding in the formulation of strategies to rehabilitate the Yamuna River and restore its ecological balance.

Keywords— Water Quality Index (WQI), Pollution Assessment I. INTRODUCTION

testing advanced treatment methods like bioremediation, nanotechnology, and artificial wetlands to clean the water. Government projects such as the Namami Gange Programme and the Yamuna Action Plan aim to build more sewage treatment plants, monitor industrial waste, and improve riverbanks in cities like Delhi, Agra, and Mathura. Public awareness campaigns and stricter pollution laws are also being introduced. However, real change needs community involvement, better waste management, and strict law enforcement to prevent future pollution.

Clean water is essential for life, nature, and farming. It keeps people and animals healthy, prevents diseases, and supports daily needs like drinking and hygiene. In farming, clean water helps grow crops, improves soil, and avoids harmful chemicals that can reduce productivity. Dirty water harms human health, wildlife, and the environment. So, protecting water sources is necessary for food security, nature, and overall well-being. The Yamuna River is heavily polluted due to industrial waste, untreated sewage, and farm chemicals. Rapid urban growth has increased pollution with harmful substances like heavy metals and chemicals, making the water unsafe. Poor waste management and illegal dumping make things worse. As a result, the Water Quality Index (WQI) of the river is very low, especially in cities like Delhi. This pollution harms the environment and public health, requiring urgent action.

Yamuna enters Delhi state at Palla village, which is 15 kilometers upstream of the Wazirabad barrage. Yamuna travels 48 kilometers in Delhi out of which 22 km stretch is severely polluted. Severe level of surface pollutants is shown in Figure1. Water quality assessment involves various physicochemical and biological tests to determine contamination levels-

Pollution in the Yamuna causes many problems. Contaminated water spreads diseases like cholera and typhoid, affecting millions who depend on the river. Toxic chemicals kill fish and other aquatic life, reducing biodiversity. Using polluted water for farming damages soil, lowers crop production, and adds harmful substances to food. The river’s toxic foam and bad smell also worsen air quality, affecting people’s health. Without immediate action, the damage may become irreversible.

 pH Test – Measures the acidity or alkalinity of water.  Electrical Conductivity (EC) – Assesses the presence of dissolved salts.  Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) – Indicates the concentration of dissolved substances.  Turbidity Test – Measures the clarity of water.  Temperature Test – Affects biological and chemical processes in water.

Physicochemical Tests:

To improve the Yamuna’s water quality, researchers and the government are working on solutions. Scientists are

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