International Journal of Botany Studies

www.botanyjournals.com
ISSN: 2455-541X
Received: 11-10-2022, Accepted: 28-10-2022, Published: 14-11-2022
Volume 7, Issue 11, 2022, Page No. 35-39

Water quality index determination of a freshwater inland lake in Jaipur, Rajasthan

Shikha Gupta*, Jai Singh, Gajendra Pal Singh
Department of Botany, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

Abstract
The goal of the current study was to determine the water quality for public consumption, recreation, and other uses by
computing the Water Quality Index (WQI) of a freshwater inland lake in Jaipur, Rajasthan. The study of how environmental
factors affect the lake's water quality is the subject of this essay. Water quality can be assessed using a variety of techniques
for industrial, agricultural, and drinking purposes. For the general public or for any intended purpose, as well as in efforts to
decrease pollution and manage water quality, the Water Quality Index, which describes water quality in terms of an index
number, offers a valuable picture of the general water quality. The suitability of water for a certain function is influenced by a
variety of factors. In this study, Water Quality Index of an inland lake, Lake Chandlai in Jaipur district of Rajasthan was
determined on the basis of various physico-chemical parameters like pH, turbidity, electrical conductivity, total dissolved
solids, total alkalinity, chloride, dissolved oxygen, phosphate and nitrate studied for a period of two years (2018-20).

Keywords: anthropogenic, lentic, eutrophic, physicochemical parameters and water quality

Introduction and comprehend. A single number is used to represent the

Being closely related to human welfare, fresh water is of state of the water by taking into numerous water quality
crucial concern for humanity. The most significant supplies criteria into account. A water quality index, which is based
of water for human activities are surface waterbodies. on a few very important features, can offer a concise
Lakes, whether they are created naturally or artificially, indication of water quality. Generally speaking, water
serve as filters for underground water, but since they lack quality indices combine information from various water
the ability to clean themselves and are more likely to quality measures into a mathematical equation that assigns a
acquire contaminants, their ecosystems are more number to the healthiness and ecological status of a
complicated and delicate. These bodies of water also serve waterbody.
as temporary nesting sites for migratory birds and as The present study was carried out on an inland urban
habitats for a wide variety of aquatic microflora. The past freshwater lake, Chandlai Lake of Jaipur city in Rajasthan.
decades have seen an increase in anthropogenic influence in The district capital of Jaipur is located in the foothills of the
and surrounding ecosystems and their catchment region, Aravalli mountain range and contains a few lentic
which has significantly impacted water quality and waterbodies like this one. These wetlands are artificial or
increased eutrophication. The global phenomenon of man-made reservoirs that were built to store water for home
eutrophication is linked to the enrichment of water bodies or agricultural usage. These water bodies have a very
with nutrients. It is a very gradual process that takes appealing quality on both an intellectual and visual level.
hundreds of years to complete naturally, causing succession They don't just reflect their surroundings but they also
and ageing in the lake. The water level of these water reflect the civilization around them. Most of these water
bodies, however, has been rapidly declining in more recent bodies are in poor condition due to neglect by the
times as a result of a variety of anthropogenic activities, conservation authorities. Due to encroachment and
including the use of lakewater for multiple uses, such as pollution, the majority of the waterbodies (like Ramgarh
bathing, washing clothing, swimming, cleaning lake of Jaipur) have perished. This context led to the current
kitchenware, irrigation, as well as other recreational work on Chandlai lake which is facing all similar serious
pursuits. Additionally, because they include a lot of threats to its existence. The study was completed between
chemical fertilizers, agricultural runoff laced with October 2018 and September 2020.
insecticides, and other industrial discharges, the water
sources that feed the lakes are also highly contaminated. Study Area
This leads to very rapid and severe eutrophication in such Jaipur is the biggest and the capital city of Rajasthan,
lakes. Lakes in cities are frequently nourished by the direct located in the eastern part of the state. The central
drainage of the cities' residential and commercial coordinates of the Jaipur district are 26.55° North latitude
surroundings. Thus, these urban waterbodies are regrettably and 75.52° East longitude, located at 390 meters altitude
under high environmental stress and are in danger as a result from mean sea level. It is situated in the foothills of the
of development activities. Aravali range, surrounded by hillocks in northern and
Based on a number of water quality parameters, the Water eastern sides and plains in western and southern sides. It
Quality Index (WQI) delivers a single value that indicates also has many small water bodies, sometimes the only
the total water quality at a specific location and time. The sources of water on which most of the agricultural lands are
water quality index aims to convert voluminous data on dependent for irrigation. For the present study, an urban
water quality into knowledge that the general public can use wetland, Chandlai lake was selected.

35
International Journal of Botany Studies www.botanyjournals.com

The Chandlai lake, situated near Chandlai Village, is at an rating with the unit weight of each parameter into
altitude of 333 meters above Sea Level having geographical consideration linearly, using following equation:
coordinates: 26°41'45"N and 75°52'36"E. The lake is 10 feet
deep, covers an area of 195 hectares with a total catchment WQI=∑ Wn*Qn/ ∑Wn
area of 4,096 hectares. Most of its catchment area is already
converted into residential site by Housing board. n = number of water quality parameters
Throughout the year, this water body pretty much receives Wn = unit weight (Wn) for each parameter
household waste and drainage water from surrounding Qn = quality rating corresponding to nth parameter
areas.
Unit Weight (Wn) for each parameter is calculated by using
Materials and Methods the recommended permissible standard limit (Sn) of that
The water samples from the lake were collected every parameter. It is calculated by using following expression:
month and analysed for ten physicochemical parameters.
Some parameters like pH, water temperature, turbidity, total Wn =K/ Sn
dissolved solids and electrical conductivity were monitored
Wn= unit weight for the nth parameter
at the sampling locations with the help of portable
Sn = Standard value for nth parameter
instruments and other parameters like total alkalinity,
K=1/∑1/Sn (Constant for proportionality)
chloride, nitrate, phosphate and dissolved oxygen were
Quality rating (Qn) corresponding to nth parameter is a
tested in the laboratory as per the standard procedures.
number reflecting the relative value of this parameter in the
(Trivedi & Goel 1986; APHA 1992a, 1992b, 1999, 2012) [22,
2-5] polluted water with respect to its standard permissible value
.
and unit weight. Quality rating (Qn) is calculated using the
For the calculation of Water Quality Index (WQI) of the
following expression:
lake in this study, nine important parameters were chosen.
The WQI has been calculated by using the permissible Qn = 100[Vn -Vo] / [Sn - Vo]
limits of water quality recommended by Bureau of Indian
Standards (BIS 2012) [7] and United States Environmental Qn =Quality rating for the nth water quality parameter
Protection Agency, (US EPA 1986) [23]. Vn =Observed value of the nth parameter
The weighted arithmetic index method (Brown et al. 1972) Sn =Standard permissible value of the nth parameter
[6]
has been used for the calculation of WQI of the Vo = Ideal value of nth parameter in pure water. (i.e., 0 for
waterbody. It is an increasing value index, that is, WQI all parameters except pH (Vo value is 7) and Dissolved
values gets bigger with increasing pollution. The overall oxygen (Vo value is 14.6 mg/l) (Tripathy and Sahu 2005)
Water Quality Index is calculated by aggregating the quality [21]
.

Table 1: Classification of water quality based on weighted arithmetic method* (Brown et al. 1972) [6]
WQI Values Status
0-25 Excellent
26-50 Good water
51-75 Poor water
76-100 Very poor water
>100 Unsuitable for human consumption
*increasing value index, i.e., WQI values gets bigger with increasing pollution.

Table 2: Permissible Water standards and their calculated unit weights.

Parameter Standard Permissible limits (BIS 2012; US EPA 1986) Individual Unit weights (Wn)
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 4 0.024
pH 8.5 0.011
Turbidity (NTU) 5 0.019
Phosphorus (mg/L) 0.1 0.943
Nitrate (mg/L) 45 0.0021
Total Dissolved Solids (mg/L) 500 0.0002
Alkalinity (mg/L) 200 0.0005
Conductivity (µmho/cm) 250 0.0004
Chloride (mg/L) 250 0.0004
∑Wn=1

RESULTS lake for four seasons, post rainy, winter, summer and rainy
The mean value of the values observed for every season in was calculated separately in tables 4, 5, 6 and 7 respectively.
two years was computed and listed in Table 3. WQI of the

36
International Journal of Botany Studies www.botanyjournals.com

Table 3: Seasonal variations of the physicochemical parameters of Chandlai lake (2018-2020)

Seasons
Post rainy Winter Summer Rainy
Parameters
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 3.3 3.7 1.6 3.7
pH 7.6 7.4 7.6 7.5
Turbidity (NTUs) 71 66 71 83
Phosphorus (mg/L) 0.03 0.03 0.05 0.03
Nitrate (mg/L) 3.8 3.9 4.7 5.0
Total Dissolved Solids (mg/L) 965 1262 1186 979
Alkalinity (mg/L) 349 407 425 388
Conductivity (µmho/cm) 1508 1972 1852 1529
Chloride (mg/L) 250 292 309 245
WQI 60 57 74 59

Table 4: Calculation of Water Quality index in Post Rainy season (2018-2020)

Observed values Standard valuesUnit weights Quality rating
Wn*Qn
(Vn) (Sn) (Wn) (Qn)
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 3.3 4 0.024 107 2.511
pH 7.6 8.5 0.011 37 0.413
Turbidity (NTUs) 71 5 0.019 1413 26.654
Phosphorus (mg/L) 0.03 0.1 0.943 32 29.860
Nitrate (mg/L) 3.8 45 0.0021 8 0.018
Total Dissolved Solids (mg/L) 965 500 0.0002 193 0.036
Alkalinity (mg/L) 349 200 0.0005 175 0.082
Conductivity (µmho/cm) 1508 250 0.0004 603 0.228
Chloride (mg/L) 250 250 0.0004 100 0.038
∑Wn=1 ∑Wn*Qn=60
Water Quality Index (∑Wn*Qn/∑Wn) = 60

Table 5: Calculation of Water Quality index in Winter season (2018-2020)

Observed values (Vn) Standard values (Sn) Unit weights (Wn) Quality rating (Qn) Wn*Qn
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 3.7 4 0.024 103 2.428
pH 7.4 8.5 0.011 24 0.267
Turbidity (NTUs) 66 5 0.019 1329 25.062
Phosphorus (mg/L) 0.03 0.1 0.943 31 28.813
Nitrate (mg/L) 3.9 45 0.0021 9 0.018
Total Dissolved Solids (mg/L) 1262 500 0.0002 252 0.048
Alkalinity (mg/L) 407 200 0.0005 203 0.096
Conductivity (µmho/cm) 1972 250 0.0004 789 0.297
Chloride (mg/L) 292 250 0.0004 117 0.044
∑Wn=1 ∑Wn*Qn=57
Water Quality Index (∑Wn*Qn/∑Wn) = 57

Table 6: Calculation of Water Quality index in summer season (2018-2020)

Observed values (Vn) Standard values (Sn) Unit weights (Wn) Quality rating (Qn) Wn*Qn
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 1.6 4 0.024 123 2.888
pH 7.6 8.5 0.011 43 0.471
Turbidity (NTUs) 71 5 0.019 1419 26.764
Phosphorus (mg/L) 0.05 0.1 0.943 46 43.612
Nitrate (mg/L) 4.7 45 0.0021 11 0.022
Total Dissolved Solids (mg/L) 1186 500 0.0002 237 0.045
Alkalinity (mg/L) 425 200 0.0005 213 0.100
Conductivity (µmho/cm) 1852 250 0.0004 741 0.279
Chloride (mg/L) 309 250 0.0004 124 0.047
∑Wn=1 ∑Wn*Qn=74
Water Quality Index (∑Wn*Qn/∑Wn) = 74

37
International Journal of Botany Studies www.botanyjournals.com

Table 7: Calculation of Water Quality index in Rainy season (2018-2020)

Observed values (Vn) Standard values (Sn) Unit weights (Wn) Quality rating (Qn) Wn*Qn
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L) 3.7 4 0.024 103 2.435
pH 7.5 8.5 0.011 34 0.374
Turbidity (NTUs) 83 5 0.019 1666 31.411
Phosphorus (mg/L) 0.03 0.1 0.943 26 24.465
Nitrate (mg/L) 5.0 45 0.0021 11 0.023
Total Dissolved Solids (mg/L) 979 500 0.0002 196 0.037
Alkalinity (mg/L) 388 200 0.0005 194 0.091
Conductivity (µmho/cm) 1529 250 0.0004 612 0.231
Chloride (mg/L) 245 250 0.0004 98 0.037
∑Wn=1 ∑Wn*Qn=59
Water Quality Index (∑Wn*Qn/∑Wn) = 59

Discussion found to be highest during summer season and low during

Water quality Index (WQI) of Chandlai lake is established rainy season. A similar observation has been made by
from the mean observational data of various Shastry et al. (1972) [19] and Rani et al. (1995). Turbidity
physicochemical parameters for four different seasons in the values observed in Chandlai Lake were much above the
period of two years (2018-20) i.e., post rainy season, winter desirable limit of 4 NTU in freshwater bodies (BIS 2012) [7].
season, summer season and rainy season. The observed It ranged between very high values of 52 to 91 NTUs which
mean values of various physicochemical parameters clearly indicate to the opacity of the upper layers of this
seasonally are given in Table 3. Season wise WQI lake. The phosphates are found in permissible levels in this
calculations are depicted in the Table 4, 5, 6 and 7. For post lake (<0.1mg/l) and these low contents (only highest in
monsoon season, the WOI was calculated 60; for Winter, summer season due to reduced flows) may be due to
WQI amounted to 57; for Summer season, WQI was as high utilization of the nutrients by phytoplanktons (Froelich et al.
as 74 and for monsoon, WQI value of lake was 59, which 1985) [9]. Its considerable level of availability in water
indicate the poor quality of water throughout the year bodies, often leading to eutrophy may be accounted to both
(Chatterjee & Raziuddin 2007) [8]. This water quality naturogenic and anthropogenic reasons (Ghosh 2021) [12].
assessment analysis demonstrates unequivocally that the The nitrate concentrations ranged from 1.1 to 9.6 mg/l in
waterbody's status is beginning to be eutrophic and that it is Lake Chandlai during the study period. Such values indicate
of low quality for human consumption. Additionally, it has the unsuitability of water for domestic use. The
been noted that the pollutant load is significantly higher in concentration of dissolved oxygen regulates the distribution
the summer than it is in the post-rainy, winter, and rainy of flora and fauna. The present investigation indicated that
seasons. The following physicochemical parameter the concentration of dissolved oxygen fluctuated between
fluctuations, which were seen across the study's different 1mg/1 and 5.6mg/1. Seasonally, the concentration of
seasons, further support the above water quality indices. dissolved oxygen was more during monsoon and winter and
The pH of water is a crucial characteristic that defines its least during summer due to less rainfall and elevated water
acceptability for a variety of applications among all the temperatures which enhance the decomposition of dissolved
physicochemical factors chosen for the Water Quality Index organic matter by microbes, thus depleting the oxygen
computations. The pH in this study ranged from 7.1 to 8.2. content of the water. The findings of Reddy et al. (1982),
pH levels mostly stayed in a range of neutral in many Ghosh and George (1989) [13], Swarnalatha and
samples. However, the lake was found to be slightly alkaline Narasingarao (1993) [20], and Venkateswarlu (2019) [24] are
when the average values for four seasons were considered. all consistent with this observation. It can be inferred from
In their research on several waterbodies, Ambasht (1971) [1], the physicochemical data previously observed that the
Shardendu and Ambasht (1988) [18], Swarnalatha and waterbody exhibits eutrophication-related characteristics.
Narasingarao (1993) [20], and Rani et al. (1995) also made The lake's poor ecological condition is indicated by low
similar comparable observations. The total dissolved solids dissolved oxygen, high electrical conductivity and total
and electrical conductivity levels were both found to be dissolved solids concentrations, and a very high turbidity.
exceptionally high, being highest during the summer season. Although, the water of Lake Chandlai is good for
Higher levels of total dissolved solids may be ascribed to aquaculture as fishes can easily tolerate total dissolved solid
the presence of lots of iwaste water runoffs which levels of more than 1000 mg/l in such aquatic ecosystems
potentially pollute water sources through their solid and (Hameed-ur-Rehman et al. 2015).
liquid wastes, as also noted in another study by Rana et al. The following reasons were identified for the deterioration
(2016) [15]. High levels of electrical conductivity is probably of Chandlai lake during the study: massive water extraction
due to the developmental activities like construction of for irrigation and other purposes, pollution and massive
roads and buildings, improper disposal of garbage and sedimentation, intensive fishing practices, shrinking of the
sewage leading to high amounts of dissolved inorganic area due to encroachment and constructions, neglection by
substances in ionized form, as also reported by Kerketta et Government for conservation purposes, reduction in the
al., (2013) [10]. Another of the most crucial factors in number and stay of migratory birds and garbage disposal are
determining the water quality is chloride. According to reducing its recreational value and ecological status as is
Munawar (1970) [14], higher chloride concentrations are an also evident by its high values of water quality index almost
indication of greater organic pollution. In the present study throughout the year. High WQI values of this fresh water
the concentration of chloride fluctuated between 192mg/l body show that the condition of the lake is deteriorating due
and 412mg/l in the study period. Seasonally, chloride was to lack of proper conservation strategies. Thus, application

38
International Journal of Botany Studies www.botanyjournals.com

of Water Quality Index technique for the overall assessment rivers in middle Gangetic plains, India. Environmental
of the water quality of a waterbody is a useful tool in monitoring and assessment,2011:174(1):401-415.
deciding their conservation management plans. 17. Reddy KR, Campbell KL, Graetz DA, Portier KM. Use
of biological filters for treating agricultural drainage
References effluents (Vol. 11, No. 4, pp. 591-595). American
1. Ambasht RS. Ecosystem study of a tropical pond in Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of
relation to primary production of different vegetation America, and Soil Science Society of
zones. Hydrobiologia,1971:12:57-61. America,1982:11(4):591-595.
2. American Public Health Association APHA method 18. Shardendu AR, Ambasht RS. Limnological studies of a
4500-NO3: Standard Methods for examination of water rural pond and an urban tropical aquatic ecosystem:
and wastewater, 1992a. oxygen informs and ionic strength. J Trop
3. American Public Health Association APHA method Ecol.,1988:29(2):98-109.
Standard Methods for examination of water and 19. Shastry JS, Fan LT, Erickson LE. Analysis of water
wastewater, 1992b, 4500. quality data using spectral analysis. Water, Air, and
4. American Public Health Association (APHA) Standard Soil Pollution,1972:1(3):233-256.
Methods for examination of water and wastewater, 20. Swarnalatha N, Narasinga Rao A. Ecological
1999. investigation of two lentic environment with special
5. American Public Health Association (APHA) Standard reference to Cyanobacteria and water pollution, 1993.
Methods for examination of water and wastewater. 21. Tripathy JK, Sahu KC. Seasonal hydrochemistry of
22nd ed. Washington, 2012, 1360. ISBN 978-087553- groundwater in the Barrier Spit system of the Chilika
013-0 Lagoon, India. Journal of Environmental Hydrology,
6. Brown RM, McClelland NI, Deininger RA, O’Connor 2005, 13.
MF. A water quality index—crashing the psychological 22. Trivedi RK, Goel PK. Chemical and biological methods
barrier. In Indicators of environmental quality Springer, for water pollution studies, Env. Publication, Karad.,
Boston, MA, 1972, 173-182. 1986.
7. Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Indian standard 23. USEPA (United States Environmental Protection
specification for drinking water, 10500. New Delhi, Agency) Quality Criteria for Water – 1986, U. S.
India, 2012. Environmental Protection Agency Report, EPA 440/5-
8. Chatterjee PR, Raziuddin M. Studies on the water ,1986, 86-001.
quality of a water body at Asansol town, West 24. Venkateswarlu V, Seshaiah PV, Arun P, Behra PC. A
Bengal. Nature, Environment and Pollution study on water quality parameters in shrimp L.
Technology,2007:6(2):289-292. vannamei semi-intensive grow out culture farms in
9. Froelich PN, Kaul LW, Byrd JT, Andreae MO, Roe coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh, India. International
KK. Arsenic, barium, germanium, tin, dimethylsulfide Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies,2019:7(4):394-
and nutrient biogeochemistry in Charlotte Harbor, 399.
Florida, a phosphorus-enriched estuary. Estuarine,
Coastal and Shelf Science,1985:20(3):239-264.
10. Kerketta P, Baxia SL, Gora RH, Kumari S, Roushan
RK. Analysis of physicochemical properties and heavy
metals in drinking water from different sources in and
around Ranchi, Jharkhand, India. Veterinary
World,2013:6(7):370-375.
11. Ghosh A, George JP. Studies on the abiotic factors and
zooplankton in a polluted urban reservoir: Hussain
Sagar, Hyderabad: impact on water quality and
embryonic development of fishes. Indian Journal of
Environmental Health,1989:31(1):49-59.
12. Ghosh SK. Evaluating and Predicting the Risk of Algal
Blooms in a Freshwater Lake through a 4-Dimensional
Approach: A Case Study on Lake Mitchell (Doctoral
dissertation, South Dakota State University), 2021.
13. Gupta S, Gupta SK. A critical review on water quality
index tool: Genesis, evolution and future directions.
Ecological Informatics,2021:63:101299.
14. Munawar M. Limnological studies on freshwater ponds
of hyderabad-India. Hydrobiologia,1970:36(1):105-
128.
15. Rana A, Bhardwaj SK, Thakur M. Surface water
quality and associated aquatic insect fauna under
different land use in Solan (district Solan), Himachal
Pradesh. Indian Journal of Ecology,2016:43(1):58-64.
16. Rani N, Sinha RK, Prasad K, Kedia DK. Assessment of
temporal variation in water quality of some important

39