Exploresearch (ISSN: 3048-815X) ( Vol. 03 | No. 2 | April - June, 2026 )

Statistical Assessment of Wastewater Quality of Untapped Drains Discharging Untreated Sewage into River Ganga at Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh

Author: Manjeev Vishvkarma & Azizur Rahman Siddiqui

River Ganga at Prayagraj is experiencing severe pollution because of the presence of untreated domestic wastewater from a number of urban drains. In this context, the aim of this study is to analyze water quality of untreated domestic wastewater of 25 drains, which discharge into the river, based on data collected by the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) in July 2024. For the purpose, six key water quality parameters including pH, Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Total Coliform (TC), and Fecal Coliform (FC) have been used in a correlation analysis. The study has shown that the water of the drains has a considerable organic and microbial pollution. In particular, very high BOD (111.68 mg/L) and COD (380.56 mg/L) levels indicate heavy pollution in terms of organic compounds. Moreover, a very high content of Total Coliform and Fecal Coliform also shows severe pollution with sewage posing serious environmental and health risks. Besides, the correlation analysis has revealed a strong positive relationship between BOD and COD (r = 0.78) as well as Total Coliform and Fecal Coliform (r = 0.89). In conclusion, it is important to note that this study has shown that untreated sewage contributes significantly to poor water quality in the river Ganga at Prayagraj, hence there is an urgent need for better wastewater management.

Vishvkarma, M. & Siddiqui, A. (2026). Statistical Assessment of Wastewater Quality of Untapped Drains Discharging Untreated Sewage into River Ganga at Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. Exploresearch, 03(02), 116–132. https://doi.org/10.62823/ExRe/2026/03/02.226

  1. Akpor, O. B., D. A. Otohinoyi, D. T. Olaolu, and B. I. Aderiye. 2014. “POLLUTANTS IN WASTEWATER EFFLUENTS: IMPACTS AND REMEDIATION PROCESSES.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Earth Science 3(3):050–059.
  2. Birol, Ekin, and Sukanya Das. 2010. “Estimating the Value of Improved Wastewater Treatment: The Case of River Ganga, India.” Journal of Environmental Management 91(11):2163–71. doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2010.05.008.
  3. Dimri, Deepika, Achlesh Daverey, Ambika Kumar, and Archana Sharma. 2021. “Monitoring Water Quality of River Ganga Using Multivariate Techniques and WQI (Water Quality Index) in Western Himalayan Region of Uttarakhand, India.” Environmental Nanotechnology, Monitoring & Management 15:100375. doi:10.1016/j.enmm.2020.100375.
  4. Sharma, Vishwa Raj, Kamal Bisht, and Shubham Kumar Sanu. 2022. “Assessment of Physicochemical Characteristics of Water Quality along Balua Ghat, Yamuna River in Prayagraj Metropolitan City, India.” https://ir.vidyasagar.ac.in/jspui/handle/123456789/6799.
  5. Singh, Anoop Narain, Ankur Mudgal, Ravi Prakash Tripathi, and Padam Jee Omar. 2023. “Assessment of Wastewater Treatment Potential of Sand Beds of River Ganga at Varanasi, India.” AQUA - Water Infrastructure, Ecosystems and Society 72(5):690–700. doi:10.2166/aqua.2023.200.
  6. Essam Sharaf El Din, Hossam El-din Fawzy, & Samah Abo Ramadan. (2020). Use of Multivariate Statistical Analysis for Detecting Spatial and Seasonal Attributes of Surface Water Quality. International Journal of Engineering Research and, V9. https://doi.org/10.17577/ijertv9is030013
  7. Muniz, D. H. F., & Oliveira-Filho, E. C. (2023). Multivariate Statistical Analysis for Water Quality Assessment: A Review of Research Published between 2001 and 2020. Hydrology, 10(10), 196. https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology10100196
  8. Bhaduri, A. (2025). Ganga in crisis: Pollution and health risks rise in Prayagraj's sacred rivers. India Water Portal. https://www.indiawaterportal.org/rivers-and-lakes/rivers/ganga-in-crisis-pollution-and-health-risks-rise-in-prayagrajs-sacred-rivers
  9. Kanaujiya, A. K., & Tiwari, V. (2023). Water quality analysis of River Ganga and Yamuna using water quality index (WQI) during Kumbh Mela 2019, Prayagraj, India. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 26, 5451-5472. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-023-02907-9
  10. Tiwari, D., Yadav, M., Kumar, R., & Singh, S. K. (2025). Comparison of Ganga River water quality along major urban centers in the state of Uttar Pradesh, Bharat. AIP Conference Proceedings, 3262(1), 020012. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0247189
  11. Alam, A., Barkatullah, M., & Kumar, A. (2023). Water Quality Status of Different Ghats of River Ganga in Patna Urban Area. ASEC 2023, 85. https://doi.org/10.3390/asec2023-15408
  12. Tiwari, D., Kumar, R., Yadav, M., Rai, S., & Singh, S. K. (2024). Holistic Analysis of Ganga Basin Water Quality: A Statistical Approach with WQI, HMCI, HMQI, and HRI Indices. Research Square Platform LLC. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-4139270/v1
  13. Tiwari, D., Yadav, M., Kumar, R., & Singh, S. K. (2025). Comparison of Ganga River water quality along major urban centers in the state of Uttar Pradesh, Bharat. AIP Conference Proceedings, 3262(1), 020012. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0247189.

DOI:

Article DOI: 10.62823/ExRe/2026/03/02.226

Download Full Paper: