In 2016, the Union Water Resources Ministry commissioned a study to investigate the “unique properties” of the Ganga. The research was conducted by the National Environmental Engineering and Research Institute (NEERI) located in Nagpur. NEERI is a lab under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). The title of the study was ‘Assessment of Water Quality and Sediment To Understand Special Properties of River Ganga’.
Singular Characteristics of the River Ganga
The research showed that the river Ganga holds a higher number of organisms with antibacterial properties compared to other Indian rivers. It was observed that these components are particularly concentrated in the upper Himalayan stretches of the river. Five pathogenic species of bacteria (Escherichia, Enterobacter, Salmonella, Shigella, Vibrio) were selected for isolation from the Ganga, the Yamuna, and the Narmada as part of the study. Their numbers were then compared with the bacteriophages present in the river water. Because bacteriophages, a type of virus that eliminates bacteria, are typically found near each other, their presence was significant. In the river Ganga, the bacteriophages were detected to be approximately 3 times more than bacterial isolates.
Unique Antibacterial Properties
The findings confirmed that bacteriophages hold immense potential as an antibacterial pharmaceutical due to their higher proportion in the waters of the Ganga. This unique component distinguishes the Ganga from other Indian rivers.
Water Quality Analysis
| Parameter | Status |
|---|---|
| Heavy metals (chromium, aluminium, manganese, arsenic, chromium, lead) | Found above the Drinking Water Quality Standards at select locations |
| Organic contamination (mostly from domestic sewage) | Present in the water |
| Microbiological parameters (total coliforms, faecal coliforms and E. Coli) | Show an increasing trend in terms of degree of contamination |
The overall water quality analysis revealed substandard results. Heavy metals like chromium, aluminium, manganese, arsenic, chromium and lead were found above the Drinking Water Quality Standards at select areas. Organic contamination, largely due to domestic sewage, was also identified. The water quality was not only noticeably below the drinking water standards for chemical parameters but there was also pollution due to the discharge of domestic sewage.
Pollutant Sources and their Impact
The major sources of pharmaceuticals and hormones in the river water are attributed to sewage/industrial wastewater discharge and anthropogenic activities. High organic (disposal of ritualistic material and offerings such as flowers, milk etc.) and inorganic (agricultural and industrial flow containing phosphorus, nitrogen and micro-nutrients) pollutants were found. These pollutants, along with sewage disposal, support the growth of planktons in the river Ganga. Thus, it becomes vital to prevent ritualistic material from entering the river.
