Comprehensive assessment ofthe water quality and pathogenic risk of West Kochi canals, Kerala, India

This study focused on quality and pathogenic risk assessment of water samples collected from highly polluted Rameshwaram, Eraveli and Calvathy canals in West Kochi. Organoleptic, physical, chemical and microbiological analysis of water samples, such as odour, colour, temperature, pH, alkalinity, salinity, turbidity, conductivity, total solids (TS), total dissolved solids (TDS), dissolved oxygen (DO), biological oxygen demand (BOD), oil and grease, chloride, calcium and sulphate was carried out and compared with the permissible limits of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The study shows that some of the analysed parameters were higher than the permissible limits of the CPCB, and the presence of potential pathogens was confirmed. Calvathy canal was found to have a high level of pollution, followed by Eraveli and Rameshwaram canal.