Effect of COVID-19 lockdown on the water quality index of River Gomti, India, with potential hazard of faecal-oral transmission

The COVID-19 lockdown has been reported as a ventilator for the reinstatement of natural resources across the globe. Hence, the present study attempts to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 lockdown on the water quality of River Gomti across its stretch of similar to 960 km through the assessment of 'Water Quality Index' (WQI). The study also highlights the potential risk of faecal-oral transmission of COVID-19 through intake of river water facing the issue of direct discharge of domestic sewage. A deterioration in the water quality was witnessed at -69% sampling locations during the lockdown period (May 2020). Interestingly, none of the water samples during the pre-lockdown, lockdown, and post-lockdown periods across the whole stretch belonged to the excellent category (WQI<25). The DO levels fell across similar to 69% and similar to 88% of the sites during the lockdown and post-lockdown periods, respectively. Moreover, there was an increase in the BOD 5 levels across similar to 69% and 75% of the sites during lockdown and post-lockdown periods, respectively. These findings indicate that the release of sewage without or with partial treatment is a chief contributor of water pollution in the groundwater fed River Gomti. Thereby, highlighting the possible risk of faecal-oral transmission of the corona virus, and creating a major concern for the residents across its stretch. The urban sprawl and riverfront development in Lucknow city also emerge as potential causes of water quality deterioration in River Gomti, considering that the water quality at five sites within the city was under the unfit category regardless of the lockdown situation. Thus, the urgent need of management of domestic sewage release into the river and further research on the potential risk of faecal-oral transmission of COVID-19 have been suggested in the study.

Automated summary

The study evaluated the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on the water quality of River Gomti, revealing deterioration in water quality during the lockdown period and highlighting the potential risks of faecal-oral transmission of the virus. Suggestions for managing domestic sewage release into the river and further research on the potential risk of faecal-oral transmission of COVID-19 have been made based on the findings.