An Assessment of Water Quality in River Periyar, Kerala, South India Using Water Quality Index

Abstract

River periyar of Eloor-Edayar industrial stretch has been a subject of pollution study for many years but so far, indexing of water quality has never been attempted. Indexing of water quality variables was carried out using water quality index method developed by Canadian Council of Ministry of Environment (CCME). Statistical techniques like correlation and regression using SPSS software was used to understand the relation between parameters and water quality index. Overall water quality index showed "Poor" quality index in the river, with each sampling site coming under the "poor" quality index range. Correlation analysis showed that water quality index decreases with increase in parameter concentration and vice versa for parameters like calcium, sulphate, chloride, nitrate-nitrogen, total hardness, fluoride, and conductivity. From the analysis, it was found that the water quality index range increases with increase in pH and dissolved oxygen. Regression analysis was used to identify the extend to which each factor; scope, frequency and amplitude, used in the calculation, influenced the water quality index. From the analysis, it was observed that the number of parameters that exceeds the guideline (Scope, F 1) and the number of times each parameter exceeding the guideline (Frequency, F 2) affects the water quality index of the river. While the extend to which each parameter exceeding the standard limit (amplitude, F3) does not affect the water quality index.