| The Ken River, a significant hydrological feature in the Bundelkhand area of Central India, flows through the states of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, acting as a tributary to the Yamuna River. The Ken River begins at Ahirgawan village on the north-west slopes of the Kaimur Range in Katni district, Madhya Pradesh. It travels for a distance of 427 kilometres until joining the Yamuna River in Chilla village in Fatehpur, Uttar Pradesh. Chilla village is located at coordinates 25°46'N and 80°31'E. The river is among the sixteen permanent rivers in Madhya Pradesh and has a significant impact on supporting the wildlife of Panna National Park. It serves as an essential drinking water supply as it passes through about 55 km of the park from south to north. In order to assess the fluctuations in water quality throughout the year, samples were gathered from multiple sites within and near Panna District. These samples were then examined for important physicochemical factors including temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, turbidity, total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), chloride, sulphate, phosphate, nitrate, alkalinity, total hardness, calcium hardness, and magnesium hardness. The water quality evaluation was performed with the established techniques endorsed by the American Public Health Association (APHA-AWWA) for the testing of water and wastewater. The results were contrasted with the drinking water quality requirements set by the World Health Organisation (WHO). This research offers crucial insights into the seasonal variations in the quality of surface water in the Ken River. It specifically focusses on the appropriateness of the water for drinking purposes at specific locations. The findings of this study give essential information for regulatory bodies and policymakers involved in the management of the Ken River basin.
Keywords: Physiochemical parameter, Water quality, Kenya river
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