Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

CLASSIFICATION OF RIVERS OF BRAHMAPUTRA BASIN IN ASSAM, INDIA BASED ON DESIGNATED BEST USE CONCEPT

Rekha Bora, Lalit Saikia, Larihun Jeengaph and Rupjyoti Payeng

Abstract

River water quality is an important issue as rivers are one of the major sources of fresh water for drinking, agriculture, residential use, hydroelectric power plant, tourism, transportation, and others. In spite of abundance of surface water in Brahmaputra basin, only 47% rural population of Assam has access to potable water. It is important to check water quality at regular intervals and prevent and control their pollution. An attempt was made to study water quality of rivers of the Brahmaputra basin in Assam focusing designated best use concept. Water quality status was evaluated from analysis of water samples and secondary data from reports of Central Water Commission and Pollution Control Board, Assam. It is found that water of most of the rivers fall under ‘B’ and ‘C’ class (as per designated best use concept, class ‘B’ water can be used for bathing and class ‘C’ water can be used as drinking water source with conventional treatment followed by disinfection). Most of the rivers of the Brahmaputra basin have moderate or low pollution, mainly due to rejuvenated life every year during monsoon. However, with contemporary issues of population explosion, increasing demand for water, flood, growing pollution and climate change, it is imperative to take precautionary approach to the pristine as well as ecologically challenged rivers of Brahmaputra basin in India.