WATER QUALITY OF RIVERS OF DEORIA (U.P.) AND NEIGHBOURING DISTRICTS IN BIHAR - A REVIEW

Abstract

Water is one of the most important natural resources on Earth. It plays a critical role in supporting all living organisms, sustaining ecological systems, protecting human health, and enabling food production and economic development. Water quality generally refers to the composition of water at levels optimal for the healthy growth of plants and animals. The safety of drinking water is affected by various contaminants, including physical, chemical, and microbiological agents, which can cause serious health problems. Due to the growing human population, industrialisation, the use of fertilisers, and other anthropogenic activities, water bodies are becoming increasingly polluted with harmful contaminants. There is therefore an urgent need to protect and conserve water resources. Accordingly, it is essential to understand the physico-chemical parameters of water, such as colour, temperature, acidity, hardness, pH, sulphate, chloride, DO, BOD, COD, and alkalinity. Accurate assessment of these parameters is crucial for evaluating the condition of water sources and ensuring that they remain safe and sustainable for both ecological and human use. This study evaluates the physico-chemical characteristics and contaminant levels of groundwater and surface water sources in Deoria district (Uttar Pradesh) and selected neighbouring districts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.