Application of WQI for assessment of water quality of high altitude lake Dodi Tal, Garhwal Himalaya, India

Dodi Tal is one of the most important and beautiful high altitude lakes of Garhwal Himalaya, India. This high altitude lake is the preferred destination for large number of tourists, trekkers, Van Gujjars (local pastoral communities) in addition to local people. All these visitors depend for their requirements of water (drinking, cooking, etc) on this lake. Thus, conservation and management of this high altitude lake is of paramount importance. The basic data on water quality of this lake is a pre-requisite for its conservation and management. The physico-chemical and microbial characteristics of water of Dodi Tal were studied monthly during November 2014–October 2015 (except the inaccessible months of February and March). Various physico-chemical parameters including temperature, pH, DO, turbidity, BOD, conductivity, TDS, free CO₂, total hardness, chlorides, total alkalinity, nitrates, sulphates, phosphates, calcium hardness, magnesium, sodium and potassium were analyzed for assessing the water quality of the lake. Microbial assessment of water quality was undertaken with the help of coliform detection. Assessment of Water Quality Index was also used for the assessment of water quality of high altitude Lake Dodi Tal of Garhwal Himalaya, India. The results indicated that the water quality of the lake in general stands good in terms of standards for drinking water (WHO and ISO standards).