Impact of Rice Mill Wastewater on the Water Quality of River: A Case Study from Rajim, Chhattisgarh

The Mahanadi River, located in Chhattisgarh, is experiencing significant water pollution near Rajim, primarily due to wastewater discharged by rice mills. This wastewater contains harmful substances such as rice husks, dust, and chemicals, leading to the degradation of the river's water quality. The pollution not only affects the aquatic ecosystem but also poses health risks to local communities dependent on the river for drinking, irrigation, and other daily activities. To assess the extent of this pollution, key water quality parameters are analyzed, including temperature, electrical conductivity (EC), pH, alkalinity, total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), total solids (TS), total hardness, chemical oxygen demand (COD), and biological oxygen demand (BOD). These parameters help determine the level of contamination and its impact on both the river's ecosystem and the people living nearby, highlighting the need for effective wastewater treatment and pollution control measures.