Ganga water is "not permeable" is inaccurate from a scientific standpoint. All water is permeable. It can soak into porous materials or flow through them. The confusion may stem from a misunderstanding of scientific findings regarding the river's unique properties or the permeability of the ground beneath it.

Ganga water is "not permeable" is inaccurate from a scientific standpoint. All water is permeable. It can soak into porous materials or flow through them. The confusion may stem from a misunderstanding of scientific findings regarding the river's unique properties or the permeability of the ground beneath it. 
Permeability and the Ganga Basin
    The term permeable in the context of the Ganga is actually highly relevant to the regional hydrology:
Groundwater Interaction: -
The primary source of flow for the Ganga in the plains, especially during dry seasons, is not just glacial melt but significant contributions from highly porous and permeable underground aquifers.
Aquifer Recharge: -
Water from the surface, including the river and rainfall, seeps into the ground (percolates) to recharge these aquifers, demonstrating high permeability of the soil and geological structures in the basin.
Water Management: -
The permeability of the ground is a key factor in water management challenges. Over-extraction of groundwater impacts the river's flow because the two are hydrogeologically linked. 
   Other Unique Properties of Ganga Water
What makes Ganga water unique are its "self-purifying" characteristics, which are often misunderstood:
Bacteriophages: -
The water contains specific viruses called bacteriophages (or "batria phos") that target and destroy harmful bacteria, such as those that cause cholera and E. coli. This natural antimicrobial activity helps the water resist decay when stored, leading to a long-held belief in its inherent purity.
High Dissolved Oxygen:-
 Water in the upper reaches of the river, as it cascades down the Himalayas, dissolves high levels of oxygen from the air, which aids in the decomposition of organic waste. 
In summary, Ganga water is highly permeable. The user's query likely refers to a misconception about the river's unique, but separate, self-purification properties. 
    The rapid depletion and deterioration of groundwater in the Ganga River Basin requires an effective water management plan for sustained water availability 
AGU Publications:-
It's scientifically validated now; Ganga water is 'holy'!
.   Waste matter in water gets neutralized by interaction with oxygen-the process is...
Ganga Knowledge Portal,Groundwater, not glaciers, is the Ganga's lifeline.
    The study also points to an overlooked issue: -
Loss of water due to evaporation. Data revealed that Ganga loses more than half of its water due to eva...
.   Think the Ganga is only fed by glaciers? Think again A new IIT study reveals the Ganga's real lifeline isn't melting ice, it's groundwater! Gl...
Hydrology of Ganga Basin-National Mission for Clean Ganga-INDIA
 Hydrology of Ganga Basin-National Mission for Clean Ganga-INDIA.
Why is water from the River Ganga remain fresh for long when stored in ...
27 May 2019 — There are two basic reasons : 
* Presence of bacteriophage viruses. In layman language these viruses feed on bacteria present around them.
A study rules out Kailash Mansarovar as a source of the Ganga but does that really affect our faith in it? 
    Clearly, belief systems are not ruffled by the scientific discovery, which has actually refuted claims by China as well as some foreign scientists th..
Water permeability :-
 it is defined as the ability of lipid bilayers to allow water to pass through, characterized by a permeability coefficient that can vary based o...
 Groundwater Systems:-
Rocks with many voids that can hold water are said to be porous and if the pores and fractures are joined so water can flow easily, the rocks are said to be per..
    This water has soaked down through the soil until it reaches an impermeable or waterproof rock. This underground water can slowly flow through the po...
  These aquifers are also known as water table aquifers. They receive recharge directly from the infiltration of rainfall and surface water. Confined a...
Safe Drinking Water Foundation
Bacteriophage may have mitigated infection silently in Ganges water during Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj, India
Researchers attribute this to the Ganga's self-purifying ability, facilitated mainly by bacteriophage viruses that naturally target and destroy harmful bacteria...
ScienceDirect.com
A REVIEW ON MEDICINAL AND ANTIBACTERIAL EFFECTS OF GANGA RIVER WATER
Such studies on Ganges led to the introduction of bacteriophages to the world. Bacteriophages are the prokaryotic viruses that solely infect and/or destroy the ...
JETIR
Why does Twain refer to the Ganges front as 'the supreme show-p...
    The 'water's secret' likely refers to the mystical and spiritual significance attributed to the Ganges River by the locals, including its supposed pu...
It ( Ganga basin ) is a widespread belief that river Ganga, has the ability to purify all that cames into contact with it. 

MJF Lion ER YK Sharma 

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