Water Quality Degradation in the Daman Ganga River under Industrial Influence

Abstract

The Daman Ganga River is one of the vital freshwater resources in western India. Rapid industrialization and urbanization in the Vapi Daman region are threatening this valuable water source. This study assesses the water quality of the river at two representative locations downstream of the GIDC Weir near NH, 48, Vapi (17 July 2025) and Zery Causeway, Daman(UT) (18 July 2025) to evaluate spatial variations in the pollution status. A wide range of physicochemical, nutrient, ionic, and bacteriological parameters were measured following APHA, BIS, WHO, and CPCB standard protocols. The results show a definite quality degradation downstream, with the Daman site exhibiting significantly higher levels of conductivity, suspended and dissolved solids, nutrients (NH3-N, TKN, phosphate), organic pollution indicators (COD, BOD), major ions, fluoride, and coliform bacteria. A dimensionless min-max normalization method was employed to combine multi, parameter datasets, thus facilitating inter, parameter comparison and visualization of cumulative pollution trends. The normalized results pinpoint the heavy metal effluents and dissolved solids from industrial effluents and municipal sewage as the major contributors to water quality deterioration downstream, along with a decrease in dissolved oxygen content. In general, the study reveals the impact of human activities on the Daman Ganga River, especially in the downstream stretch, which calls for the implementation of pollution control measures, strengthening of regulations, and continuous monitoring to ensure ecological integrity and public health.