Removal of Heavy Metals and Planning of Pilgrim Facilities at Religious Places Near Rivers

Abstract

India is blessed with the best of nature’s bounty. We have everything like mountains, rivers, seas, dessert, greenery, etc. We have a large number of rivers which are the major source of fresh surface water. Some of these rivers are of religious importance, lakhs of people visit the river and pollute the river due to bathing, pooja material disposal, etc. The industrial influents and the pooja material disposal have contributed to the increase in heavy metal concentration in the river. The pollution in the river has increased to such an extent that this water is not safe for drinking and even for bathing purposes. The pilgrims visiting these holy rivers face many problems like bathing in polluted water, drinking the polluted water, resulting in skin diseases, changing clothes in open, and many others. Hence, we have proposed a filter using peanut husk that removes and reduces iron and lead concentration from the water. Also providing preliminary treatment to the water is introduced in the grey water treatment bed which removes BOD, COD, and toxic compounds making the river water safe for bathing and drinking. We have also developed a representative model for the facilities of bathing, drinking, changing rooms, and toilets for the pilgrims visiting the river, which has the potential to improve the current scenario at these riverbanks.