Int.J.Curr.Res.Aca.Rev.2017; 5(2): 63-70 63 International Journal of Current Research and Academic Review ISSN: 2347-3215 (Online) ҉҉ Volume 5 ҉҉ Number 2 (February-2017) Journal homepage: http://www.ijcrar.com doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.20546/ijcrar.2017.502.009 Solar Distillation an Advance Treatment for Decontamination of River Water Anuradha Awasthi, Bhawana Pathak and M.H. Fulekar* School of Environment and Sustainable Development, Central University of Gujarat, Gandhinagar, 382030 Gujarat, India *Corresponding author Abstract Article Info River water Sabarmati is contaminated from the various sources viz industrial waste, domestic waste and other sources. River water is characterized for physico-chemical parameters at different location along the side of Gandhinagar- Ahmadabad and found unsuitable for drinking purposes unless treated by advance treatment technology. The Solar distillation unit developed and modified with three inbuilt basins system has been used for treatment of Sabarmati river water. The first step involved in the treatment of river water is to vaporize the water based on solar radiation allowed to interact with the three basins of solar distillation unit during vaporization and condensation. The rate of water, which is coming from the inlet tank, was measured and vaporized, condensed water was collected, after each hour during morning to evening (8:00am to 6:00pm).The data indicates the physico-chemical characteristics of river water existing at different location and physico-chemical characteristics of river water; after solar distillation treatment. Parameter such as pH, Turbidity, Ammonia, Nitrate, nitrite, sulphate, BOD and COD were found reduced due to deposition of contaminants by solar distillation process. The river water after solar distillation was found complied with the standard for intended use. Thus, the present solar based distillation unit, under solar radiation treatment via vaporization, condensation was found effective and efficient for treatment of river water. Accepted: 25 January 2017 Available Online: 20 February 2017 Keywords Sabarmati river water, solar distillation, Subhash Bridge, Solar radiation etc. Introduction Global society in the 21st century is facing challenges of improving the quality of air, water, soil environment and maintaining the ecological balance. Environmental pollution has become a major global concern (Fulekar et al., 2014).Increasing numbers of industries, besides production are responsible for rising environmental problems. (Olaniram, 1995). As per notations, given by world health organization (WHO), less than 1/6 of the world’s population have not assessedpure or potable drinking water (European Public Health Alliance, 2009). Water pollution destroy the nature by two way,negative effects on living organisms either by impact on environment directly and indirectly that damage the human well being and causes the harmful effects to the community(Carter, 1985). The water pollution is hazardous for both the aquatic life and human health (Hugh and Madoka, 2005), so it is necessary that water quality of river meet the standards. Quality of Water is important for the human health and environment (Turner et al., 1998). River water is the key source of fresh water.