Evaluation of Bank Filtration for Drinking Water Supply in Patna by the Ganga River, India

Hydrogeological investigations in Patna by the Ganga River, together with water quality investigations were conducted in 2005-2006 to evaluate riverbank filtration (RBF) wells in the city. A groundwater flow model was used to obtain a better characterization of the groundwater flow conditions. The investigations showed that RBF is an efficient treatment technique for the removal of coliform bacteria (>4 log). The increase in Ganga water level during monsoon helps improve the surface water groundwater interaction by scouring a 10 m thick sediment layer deposited on the river bed during the pre-monsoon. The dissolved organic carbon concentration was found to be low in Ganga water and groundwater (both <3 mgL(-1)), except in monsoon the river water showed an increase (4.9 mgL(-1)). The investigated RBF wells in Patna were found to provide sustainable drinking water in terms of quality and quantity throughout the year.

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