Good News: Maha Kumbh Water Passes Bathing Quality Test

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has affirmed that the Ganga and Yamuna rivers' water quality throughout the recently completed Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj was still within the standards for bathing. This evaluation was presented to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) after analyzing the statistical values of the collected water samples. The research revealed inconsistencies in data on water quality according to some reasons such as sampling time, river flow, and also due to man's activities that affected results at testing.

Ongoing bimonthly observation of Ganga water since January 12 and even on so-called "auspicious" days of bathes was made at five locations in the Ganga and two points along Yamuna. The most important parameters that were tried included pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), and fecal coliform count (FC) for which the quality of water is deemed of utmost importance. The findings found staggering variations in the parameters on the same point on different dates and on different points on the same date. Statistical treatment was used to offset variability between January 12 and February 22, for ten mass bathing sites with twenty sampling occasions. The experts' panel stated that water quality properties at individual points and moments may not be a good representative of the overall river situation.

Statistical treatment, however, found median values of key indicators to be within tolerable limits. The median level of FC was 1,400 units/100 ml, less than the limit of 2,500 units. DO reading was 8.7 mg/l, well above the minimum requirement of 5 mg/l, and BOD was 2.56 mg/l, well below the limit of 3 mg/l. Although the statistical data were encouraging, an earlier report submitted on February 17 by the CPCB had reported that water quality at many places in Prayagraj was poor even compared to the primary standards of bathing as the fecal coliform composition was high.

The huge numbers of pilgrims taking a dip along the river added to elevated bacterial levels through enhanced levels of contaminations at some places. The observations revealed differences in water quality depending on human activities and natural processes. The NGT will hear the case on April 7, with additional considerations on how to ensure water quality in highly packed religious gatherings. The CPCB report identifies the intricacies in determining river water quality, considering the dynamic behavior of environmental parameters and human intervention. The report emphasizes the requirement for ongoing monitoring and additional control measures to suppress pollution in revered river stretches.

Source & Credits:Information sourced from NDTV and The Hindu.