Assessment of Physicochemical and Bacteriological Parameters of Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh, India

The study was conducted to assess the water pollution and specifically the sanitary-bacteriological state of Sukhna lake. Water samples were collected from six different sites every alternate month for the year 2013. Water samples were analysed for physicochemical parameters such as pH, temperature, color, total dissolved solids (TDS), dissolved oxygen (DO) and biological and chemical oxygen demand (BOD and COD). Bacteriological analysis included total viable count of bacteria (TVC), total number of coliform (TC), faecal coliform (FC) and faecal Streptococci (FS) by multiple tube fermentation methods. The values for most of the parameters were within the criteria limit set by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and BIS standards for a freshwater lake suitable for recreational activities and propagation of fisheries and wild life. Maximum BOD values were recorded during the months of May and July, when the water levels were lowest for the year and ranged from 3.7mg/l to 5.8mg/l for all the six locations suggesting moderate organic pollution during these months only. TVC and TC values does confirm presence of coliforms in the lake water and likewise high TC and FC counts in three sites (A, C and D) during the months of May and July 2013, suggest slight to moderate organic and sewage pollution. In conclusion, the water of Sukhna lake at all sites falls in the category of fresh water suitable for different recreational activities as well as for the fish and duck population of the lake for the greater part of the year.