impact of organized bathing on Ganga basin water quality during KUMBH-2022 by spatial and temporal analysis

This current study explores the effect of mass bathing during the occasion of Kumbh in Prayagraj on Ganga Basin River water quality by Spatial and Temporal Analysis. Due to the nature of pollution entering the river during this event, the following 7 different sampling sites were selected Sobatiyabagh(s-1), Daraganj(s-2), Gaughat(s-3), Sangam(s-4), Arail Kachar(s-5), Arail Uphar(s-6), Chhatnag(s-7). Kumbh Mela was held from 14 Jan-2022 to 1st March-2022. Water samples were collected during the monthly intervals from December 2021-March-2022. The found values of different Physicochemical parameters like Ph, Electrical conductivity, Hardness, Dissolved Oxygen, BOD, etc., of samples were compared with permissible limits (According to WHO, BIS). The result concluded that except for BOD and hardness, all parameters are within permissible limits during Kumbh. But pre- and post-Kumbh samples results stated that chloride contents are also high in some places. However, it is clear in the present investigation that Ganga Basin water is not potable even when it is not used directly for other purposes.