The Ganges River is one of the most polluted rivers in the world yet is used by 500 million people for domestic, industrial, and agricultural purposes. Without proper waste management procedures, the waste generated from inhabitants and local industries have been thrown directly into the river, resulting in heavily polluted waters. People are using this contaminated water out of necessity and it is causing many to experience gastrointestinal diseases that can lead to death if untreated. The pollution has caused less dissolved oxygen to be available for aquatic life, resulting in a decrease of some plant and animal species.
Our research supports our hypothesis that the level of pollution in the Ganges has been relatively constant over time due to the lack of effective sewage treatment plants. The amount of pollution, measured by faecal coliform and biological oxygen demand (BOD) levels, are impacted by a number of factors dependent on the location at which the sample was collected. These factors include the flow of the river, the amount of aquatic life, the local population, and the number of nearby industries. These factors, along with our limited time and knowledge, prevent us from concluding that the river's overall levels of FC and BOD show any directional trend. However we can conclude that the pollution levels have been constant in the sense that they are consistently measured above the levels permissible for human consumption.
While the local government has implemented waste treatment facilities and water monitoring stations, these plans have been largely ineffective in improving the water quality to a level safe for inhabitant usage. Many of the treatment plants were not designed to treat the amount of waste generated in that area, leaving some plants unable to treat all of their waste while others are capable of treating more waste than they actually have. Some of the treatment plants are completely inoperable due to clogged or disconnected pipes unable to be repaired because of the lack of funding and skilled workers. The plants that are functioning experience frequent power outages that temporarily debilitate their ability to treat water. When plants are capable of treating the waste water, the clean water is often used for agricultural purposes instead of being placed into the river. While this benefits malnourished inhabitants by providing them with more crops, it decreases the flow of the river resulting in more concentrated amount of pollutants.
Our research points to the need for adequate fundraising in order to make required changes in the current system. Once funding is acquired, resources should be focused on repairing sewage treatment plants that are already built. Emphasis should be put on ensuring the treatment load matches the demands of the area, with leeway for the inevitable growing population. Funding must be invested in purchasing generators that allow treatment plants to run during the frequent power outages. A task force of qualified scientists and engineers must work together to train more individuals on running and maintaining the current systems in order to keep treatment malfunctions to a minimum. This is a multivariable problem with no easy solution, however strategic action must be a priority for the Indian government in order to improve the lives of inhabitants and the river ecosystem.
Authors: Emma Shaw, Brianna Jecmen, Kara Bracken, Ryian Hubbard
References
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Hamner, Steve, et al. "The role of water use patterns and sewage pollution in incidence of water-borne/enteric diseases along the Ganges
River in Varanasi, India." International Journal of Environmental Health Research 16.2 (2006): 113-132.
Helmer, Richard, and Ivanildo Hespanhol. Water Pollution Control a Guide to the Use of Water Quality Management Principles.
London: E & FN Spon, 1997. Water Pollution Control - A Guide to the Use of Water Quality Management. United Nations
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<http://www.cpcb.nic.in/upload/NewItems/NewItem_203_Ganga_report.pdf>.
Wohl, Ellen, Prof. "Special Essay: The Ganga – Eternally Pure?" Global Water Forum. Colorado State University, 05 Mar. 2012. Web.
20 Nov. 2014. <http://www.globalwaterforum.org/2012/03/05/special-essay-the-ganges-eternally-pure/>.
Note: Click on the pictures to be directed to their source. Any graphs without an embedded link were created by the authors.
Ganga Basin. Central Pollution Control Board. N.D. Web. 20 Nov. 2014. <http://www.cpcb.nic.in/newitems/8.pdf>.
Hamner, Steve, et al. "The role of water use patterns and sewage pollution in incidence of water-borne/enteric diseases along the Ganges
River in Varanasi, India." International Journal of Environmental Health Research 16.2 (2006): 113-132.
Helmer, Richard, and Ivanildo Hespanhol. Water Pollution Control a Guide to the Use of Water Quality Management Principles.
London: E & FN Spon, 1997. Water Pollution Control - A Guide to the Use of Water Quality Management. United Nations
Environment Programme, the Water Supply & Sanitation Collaborative Council and the World Health Organization by E. & F.
Spon, 1997. Web. Nov. 2014. <http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/resourcesquality/wpccasestudy1.pdf>.
"Pollution Assessment: River Ganga." (n.d.): n. pag. Ganga Report. Central Pollution Control Board, July 2013. Web. Nov. 2014.
<http://www.cpcb.nic.in/upload/NewItems/NewItem_203_Ganga_report.pdf>.
Wohl, Ellen, Prof. "Special Essay: The Ganga – Eternally Pure?" Global Water Forum. Colorado State University, 05 Mar. 2012. Web.
20 Nov. 2014. <http://www.globalwaterforum.org/2012/03/05/special-essay-the-ganges-eternally-pure/>.
Note: Click on the pictures to be directed to their source. Any graphs without an embedded link were created by the authors.