Water quality, heavy metals, and microbial assessments of <scp>Nile River</scp> water at <scp>Beni‐Suef</scp> governorate, <scp>Egypt</scp>

Abstract This study investigates the assessment of the water quality and microbial quality of the Nile River water within the Beni‐Suef governorate in Egypt. Twenty water samples were collected seasonally from Autumn 2023 to Summer 2024. The findings showed a significant increase in nitrate, ammonium, and orthophosphate concentrations, especially in the vicinity of agricultural drainage points. Place, season, and inter‐group interactions were attributed to the significant differences seen in the analysis of variance for all bacterial groups. Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment‐water quality index was used to assess each location's overall water quality. The majority of physicochemical characteristics were found to be within allowable bounds for irrigation, drinking water, and the protection of aquatic life. Extreme caution is advised in the Beni‐Suef governorate's River Nile, even though the levels of water contamination are below WHO‐acceptable thresholds. To preserve this essential water resource, recommendations include implementing sustainable agricultural practices, enforcing stronger regulations on polluting sources, and launching public awareness initiatives. These precautions include limiting the excessive use of organic fertilizers, establishing pollutant industries, and avoiding the use of wastewater and sewage sludge in agriculture.