Water Quality Assessment of the Chenab River, Flowing from Pul Doda to Baggar (J & K State), for Domestic Use

Twenty water samples of Chenab river in J&K State were subjected to chemical analysis for elements Si, Ca, Mg, Na, K, Mn, Ni, Cu, Pb, Zn and Fe. Out of these elements Si, Mn, Ni, Pb and Fe were found to be above permissible limits. Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and pH were present below the recommended permissible limits, and hence the waters can be regarded non-toxic for domestic use. High Pb values in waters can be linked with bad sanitation existing on both the banks of the Chenab river and hence the mass awareness programmes are necessary for maintaining good sanitation throughout the belt to lower down the Pb values of the waters. Adequate forestation in the watershed areas and vetiver grass technology on the high repose slopes are also needed to lower down the high values of Si, Mn, Ni, Pb and Fe of the Chenab water. Vetiver grass will also control higher turbidity values of waters of the Chenab.