Study of Physico-chemical and Biological Characteristics of the Water of River Ganga at Patna, India

River Ganga arises on the southern slopes of the Indian central Himalayan region beginning the Gangotri glacier. The river covers catchment area of 8, 61,404 km2 and its total length in the state Bihar stretch is 475 km. This study was carried out at Patna in the river Ganga at two sampling sites, viz., Digha Ghat (upstream) and Gai Ghat (downstream). The objective of the study was to observe the eminence of water of Ganga at Patna. The results that indicate that the river reaches near the city of Patna (upstream at Digha Ghat) are less polluted with pH 7.75, DO 7.42 mg/l, BOD 2.48 mg/l and COD 15.12 mg/l, while when the river leaves city after travelling 18 km (downstream at Gai Ghat), concentration of all pollutants increases significantly (pH 6.28, DO 6.22 mg/l, BOD 2 mg/l and COD 23 mg/l). The concentration of coliform bacteria (total coliform ranges from 5000 to 6000 MPN/100ml and faecal coliform ranges from 2200 MPN/100ml and 3000 MPN/100ml at both the sites) was recorded at higher level than the upper limit of the permissible level. This increment may be due to domestic and sewage discharge from the city. The municipality of Patna has sewage treatment plant capacity of about 109 MLD but whereas the city generates approximately 250 MLD sewage/township discharge. For the maintenance of pristine quality of water of the river Ganga, the sewage need be treated before discharge