author(s)
AK Rai, Abha Singh, Kamin Alexander and OP Verma

abstract
Rivers are Lifeline of any country. They have a very important role in the economy of a country and welfare of its society. Water quality of the river is one of the major factors in determining the health status of peoples and environment; as water is an essential ingredient for health and hygiene. The present study was carried out at the junction of Sangam in Prayagraj, which is famous as Terath Raj Prayag in Hindu mythology. In the present study samples from river Yamuna and Ganga were studied for the various parameters such as pH, temperature, TDS, TSS, Electrical conductivity, Acidity, Alkalinity, DO, BOD, COD, chloride concentration and Productivity of water. The total bacterial count was done by SPC method, catalase and peroxidase enzyme activity was estimated. Most of the assessed physical and chemical parameters were found to be above than permissible limits of WHO and CPCB. The microbiological parameters confirmed presence of high level of total bacterial count in the rivers. Enzymatic characteristics of water was assessed in order to measure capability of water to self-purify naturally in respect to various factor affecting the activity of enzyme in self-purification of water.