Qualitative evaluation of Kanhan river and its tributaries flowing over central Indian plateau

Water quality evaluation of Kanhan river and its tributaries viz. Pench and Nag rivers was carried out in order to assess the qualitative changes and possibility of point and non-point pollution loads in these rivers for the post monsoon and summer seasons. pH, turbidity, conductivity, total alkalinity and total hardness were found in the range 7.1 - 8.7, 0.8 - 35 (NTU), 227 - 970 (mu Scm(-1)), 7.1 - 8.7, 158 - 486 (mg/L) and 142 - 246 (mg/L), respectively. Ca, Mg, Na and K were in the range 24 - 62, 13 - 28, 15 - 183 and 3 - 33 mg/L, respectively. The respective ranges of Cl, SO(4), NO(3) and PO(4) were observed between 19 - 102, 8 - 23, 3 - 32 and 0.1 - 1.4 mg/L. DO and COD in the rivers ranged between nil to 8.5 and 7 - 172 mg/L, respectively. Absence of DO and higher COD in Nag river is due to its sewage content from Nagpur city. Nag river showed higher bacterial counts than Kanhan and Pench rivers. The temporal and spatial variability in the river water quality may be attributed to catchment characteristics, agricultural and urban activities in catchment and on the bank of the river. The values of RSC, ESP and SAR indicated that the water of Kanhan and Pench rivers are suitable, whereas that of Nag river is unsuitable for irrigation purpose.