Longitudinal Assessment of Organic Pollution in Gurugram Urban Drains, Haryana: A Source-Traceable Analysis of HSPCB BOD Monitoring Records (2022–2025)

Abstract

The drainage system in urban areas is essential for transporting sewage from homes and other places to
natural water bodies. In this specific study, the assessment of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and fecal
coliform (FC) data obtained from three drains in Gurgaon called Leg I, Leg II, and Leg III (Badshahpur) was
conducted based on the survey reports of the Haryana state Pollution Control Board (HSPCB). During this
analysis, only the readings taken from HSPCB were considered in which BOD was specifically mentioned as
a parameter for testing. The month was kept unchanged in the report, and data with incomplete records
were not averaged for the whole year or estimated. Based on the current verification five records related
to BOD were found for May 2022, December 2022, December 2023, April 2024, and July 2025. The report
related to July 2025 contains BOD and flow data that allowed calculating the BOD loading of 3.82, 8.65,
and 94.54 tonnes per day for the Leg I, Leg II, and Leg III respectively. According to the estimates
mentioned, the combined BOD load was 107.02 tonnes/day, with Leg III making a contribution of
approximately 88.34%. The studies referring to FC values in 2021 and July 2025 describe drops of 96.0%,
94.8%, and 91.9% for Leg I, II, and III correspondingly; however, these facts did not refer to one period of
time and sampling, so it should not be taken as the annual trend of decline. Additionally, the analysis
provides a differentiation between direct monitoring and estimates made by the researchers and indicates
the necessity of consistent monitoring (in time) regarding concentrations and flows.