Entropy‐Based Water Quality Index and Human Health Risk Assessment in Eastern Gangetic Plains

Groundwater in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India—a UNESCO World Heritage Site and major Buddhist pilgrimage center—shows largely acceptable quality for drinking and irrigation but poses noncarcinogenic health risks due to elevated nitrate levels. A study analyzing 50 groundwater samples found that while the entropy water quality index (EWQI) classified 96% of samples as good to excellent, 16% exceeded safe limits for adults and 24% for children. Principal component analysis revealed combined geogenic and anthropogenic influences, primarily from mineral dissolution and rock weathering. Irrigation indices suggested suitability for agricultural use, though targeted management is needed to address nitrate contamination in this ungauged region.

Kumar, S., Maurya, N. S., & Kumar, S. (2026). Entropy‐Based Water Quality Index and Human Health Risk Assessment in Eastern Gangetic Plains. CLEAN – Soil, Air, Water, 54(7). Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/clen.70230