Background: Freshwater resources in rapidly urbanising and industrialising regions are subject to multiple and compounding anthropogenic pressures, resulting in significant deterioration of water quality with severe consequences for aquatic ecosystems and human health.

Objective: This study assesses the physicochemical and microbiological water quality of a river system across five land-use zones (urban, peri-urban, agricultural, industrial, and forested) and evaluates spatial and seasonal patterns of contamination using the Water Quality Index (WQI).

Method: Water samples were collected from five designated sampling sites across three seasons (dry, wet, post-monsoon). Parameters measured included pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), turbidity, nitrates, and total coliforms. Results were compared against WHO and national guidelines, and the WQI was computed for each site. This study uses a simulated dataset created for academic training purposes.

Key Results: The industrial zone site (Site 4) exhibited the most severe contamination across all parameters, with a WQI score of 31 (Unsuitable). The agricultural zone site (Site 3) showed critical nitrate pollution (38.7 mg/L against a limit of 10 mg/L). Only the forested reference site (Site 5) met WHO standards for all parameters (WQI = 94, Excellent). Seasonal analysis revealed dry-season concentrations of pollutants were generally highest due to reduced dilution capacity.