| The Lead, Mercury, Iron and Copper concentrations in the water were higher than permissible limits. Copper (Cu) is one of the metal, which are essential to human health. It’s presence in the aquatic environment may be due to accumulation of domestic and agricultural wastes, Cu is found in highest concentration in winter whereas lowest in rainy season. The concentration of Zn in this site is under permissible limit. It is an essential mineral of importance to both plants and animals. In this study, lead levels were above the recommended limits (0.01ppm) for water. Pb is a toxic element, which has no significant biological function and shows their carcinogenic effects on aquatic biota and humans even at low exposures. Pb exposure is known to cause musculo-skeletal, renal, ocular, neurological, immunological, reproductive and developmental effects. Mercury is a highly toxic element that is found both naturally and as an introduced contaminant in the environment. The concentration of Hg in water is highest than prescribed limits by WHO (0.006), Indian Council of Medical Research (mg/l) and BIS, IS: 10500- Desirable (mg/l) (0.001ppm). According to Indian standards Fe and Cu concentrations are also higher than desirable limits. In present study mining, fertilizers, domestic waste products are main reasons of heavy metal contamination, which is responsible for the many health hazards in population living across the River.
Keywords: water pollution, heavy metal
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