An Assessment of Seasonal Variation in Water Quality of Sai River in Pratapgarh, UP, India

Aim: The present study investigates seasonal variations in the physico-chemical characteristics of the Sai River in Pratapgarh district, India, across three sites representing different levels of anthropogenic influence. Study Design: The study was based on field based quantitative analysis. Place and Duration of Study: Three sites at Sai River in district Pratapgarh, UP, India. Duration of the study was 2 years. Methodology: Water samples were collected during winter, summer, and rainy seasons and analysed for temperature, pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), electrical conductivity (EC), total alkalinity (TA), nutrients, solids, and other parameters following APHA standard methods. Results: The findings reveal distinct spatial and seasonal differences in water quality. Downstream sites exposed to domestic sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial discharge exhibited consistently higher values of turbidity, BOD, COD, EC, TDS, alkalinity, and nutrients, while DO levels decreased notably during summer. Rainfall improved oxygen availability but increased suspended solids and nutrient influx. Conclusion: Among the three sites, Site III showed the highest degree of degradation. Overall, the study highlights the cumulative impact of human activities on the Sai River and emphasizes the need for regular monitoring and effective pollution-mitigation strategies to preserve riverine health.