According to a recent report released by Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), the Water Quality Index (WQI) in Mumbai and Thane is deteriorating. The report which is titled as 'Water Quality Status of Maharashtra for 2018-19' had collected samples from several seawaters across Mumbai and Thane and concluded that the quality of water has worsened by nine times in the last 10 years.
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WQI is calculated using 43 parameters. Out of this, pH level, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and faecal coliform are core parameters. According to the report, the water quality has deteriorated due to untreated or semi-treated industrial waste that is being released in the water. Following are the parameters for the Water Quality Index (WQI):
| 91-100 | Excellent water quality |
| 71-90 | Good water quality |
| 51-70 | Medium or average water quality |
| 26-50 | Fairwater quality |
| 0-25 | Poor water quality |
WQI of 38 and less indicates "bad to very bad" water quality or heavily polluted. This is non-drinkable. Mithi river which provides water to the majority of the city has recorded the worst WQI of 30. Seawater near Gateway of India was recorded at 49 and the average WQI in all water bodies in Mumbai is 50.
Also Read: Mumbai - the most polluted city of Maharashtra: Greenpeace India
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