Abstract:
The riverbank filtration (RBF) scheme in Haridwar by the Ganga River and Upper Ganga
Canal (UGC), consisting of 22 caisson wells, is operating sustainably for > 50 years
[1,2] (Figure 1; Box 1). A consistent removal of ≥ 4 log10 (≥ 99.99 %) of pathogens (Total
Coliforms and E. coli) has been observed since monitoring commenced in 2005 [1–6].
RBF removes turbidity by ≥ 2.5 log10 during monsoon, when the Ganga has a turbidity in
the range of 100–744 NTU [2–6]. The RBF scheme effectively meets peak water demand
during religious gatherings when > 1 million bathe in the Ganga and UGC.
