In the heart of Odisha, India, the Mahanadi River Basin is undergoing a silent crisis. Rapid urbanization and population growth are taking a toll on the river’s water quality, posing significant challenges for the region’s water supply and, by extension, its energy sector. A groundbreaking study published in the Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies, translated from English as ‘Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies’ sheds light on these issues and offers innovative solutions to tackle them.
The research, led by Abhijeet Das from the Department of Civil Engineering at C.V. Raman Global University in Bhubaneswar, employs cutting-edge techniques to evaluate the spatiotemporal impact of various factors on the surface water quality of the Mahanadi River. The findings are not just academically significant but also hold substantial commercial implications, particularly for the energy sector, which relies heavily on water for cooling and other processes.
Das and his team collected water samples from 16 different locations along the river over four years, focusing on the monsoon period. They analyzed 21 parameters, including physicochemical properties, to determine the water quality index (WQI) and its spatial distribution. The results paint a concerning picture. “More than 62.5% of the examined samples were above the allowable threshold of Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN),” Das revealed. High concentrations of chloride and nitrate at certain sites highlighted the impact of man-made factors, such as agricultural fertilizers and industrial effluents. Moreover, geogenic contaminants like fluoride exceeded the World Health Organization’s permissible threshold at some locations.
The study utilized innovative techniques, including the Methods Based on Removal Effects of Criteria (MEREC) Water Quality Index, Additive Ratio Assessment (ARAS) modeling, and Random Forest (RF) machine learning approaches. These methods helped identify locations with the highest influence of cumulative factors like sewage discharge, lowering of the water table, dilution, and surface runoff, which lead to water quality variability.
One of the key findings was the significant role of chloride, electrical conductivity, sulfate, and nitrate in affecting the WQI of the river. “The spatial distribution maps highlight that both small man-made actions and natural causes impact the chemistry of surface water during the monsoon season,” Das explained. This insight is crucial for developing targeted mitigation strategies.
The energy sector, which relies on consistent and clean water supply for various operations, stands to benefit significantly from these findings. Understanding the spatial and temporal variations in water quality can help energy companies plan their water usage more effectively, reduce operational risks, and comply with environmental regulations. Furthermore, the innovative techniques employed in this study offer a blueprint for future water quality monitoring and management efforts.
The study also underscores the need for immediate government attention to address the poor water quality at various sites. Das hopes that the findings will prompt policymakers to take action and implement sustainable water management practices.
As the Mahanadi River Basin continues to face pressures from urbanization and industrialization, the insights from this research become increasingly valuable. The energy sector, in particular, can leverage these findings to enhance its water management strategies, ensuring a more sustainable and resilient future. The study, published in the Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies, marks a significant step forward in the quest for cleaner, safer water in the region.
