Water quality of the river Ganga at Phaphamau (Allahabad) : effect of mass bathing during Mahakumbh

An examination of the water quality of the river Ganga at Phaphamau (Allahabad) was carried out at the Mahakumbh festival in 1989. Water samples were collected from three sampling points one day before the festival and one day after. Analysis was carried out for physicochemical and bacteriological parameters. The biological oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, and fecal coliforms were all elevated during bathing. It was concluded from the results that mass bathing causes significant changes in the river's water quality. The study indicated that the water at Phaphamau was not fit for drinking or bathing purposes. The presence of fecal coliforms in the water also indicated the potential presence of pathogenic microorganisms, which might cause waterborne diseases. © 1996 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.