New Delhi

Amidst growing concerns following a report highlighting increased faecal coliform (FC) levels in the river at Prayagraj, Professor Umesh Kumar Singh of the Centre for Environmental Science at the University of Allahabad affirmed on Friday that the water at Triveni Sangam remains safe for bathing.

“The level of dissolved oxygen in the water, as shown in the report, is good... On the basis of the current data, I can say that the water at Triveni Sangam is fit for taking a bath,” Singh told ANI.

He expressed concerns about the report from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), urging that further work was needed as the data presented appeared incomplete. The professor pointed out that key factors such as the concentration of nitrates and phosphates were not included in the findings.

“A few days ago, the CPCB prepared a report that stated increased levels of faecal coliform (bacteria) in the water. I believe the CPCB needs to work more on the report because their data is not complete. The concentration of nitrates and phosphates needs to be included, as this would allow us to tell if sewer water is present. When I analysed the data, I found that these details were missing,” Singh added.

Associate Professor RK Ranjan of the Central University of South Bihar also questioned the CPCB's conclusions, asserting that there was insufficient data to declare the Sangam water unsafe for bathing.

“The Central Pollution Control Board's data is inconsistent. To conclude that the water is unsafe for bathing would be premature. There is not enough data to support that the waters in Prayagraj are not safe to bathe in,” Ranjan told ANI.

He further explained that there could be various reasons behind the data, including the large crowds bathing in the waters. "Similar data can be seen from Garhmukteshwar, Gazipur, Buxar, and Patna. There could be many reasons for this to happen. One reason is the large number of people bathing in the same waters. The timing and location of the water sample collection also matter,” Ranjan added.

Assistant Professor Amit Kumar Mishra from the School of Environmental Sciences at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) echoed the call for more comprehensive data, noting that the presence of coliform bacteria was not unusual.

“I would say we need more data sets; we need more measurements... There is a huge population bathing at the Mahakumbh. If you talk about the coliform bacteria, it's nothing new. If you look at the data from the Shashi Snan peaks, you’ll see E. Coli bacteria peaks at that time. So, in conclusion, I would say we need more data sets, more parameters, and more monitoring stations, especially downstream,” Mishra said.

He further clarified that a concentration of three micrograms per litre of faecal coliform was considered safe for bathing. Regarding fluctuations in concentration, Mishra stated that examining the pH level of the water, which is typically alkaline, would offer more insight.

“For bathing purposes, three micrograms per litre is safe, and we can say the water is good for bathing. However, if you see the variation in the data from the Sangam ghat, it fluctuates around three. Sometimes, it goes up to four or 4.5. I would say the dissolved oxygen level is a sign of a very healthy water body. Also, if you look at the pH range, it’s all alkaline water,” Mishra explained.

In response to the concerns raised, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath dismissed the allegations of faecal contamination in the waters at Triveni Sangam, reassuring the public that continuous monitoring and purification processes were in place to ensure water quality.

ALSO READ: Scientist Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar's wife was behind his famous Urdu poetry collection

Addressing the state Assembly, Adityanath stated, "Questions are being raised about the quality of the water at Triveni... All the pipes and drains around the Sangam have been sealed, and the water is only released after purification."

The Chief Minister further emphasised that the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) is regularly assessing the water quality at Sangam to maintain standards.