<![CDATA[Sand mining activities from riverbeds or banks can harm the environment, especially water quality, by increasing turbidity, which can endanger ecosystems and human health. This study aims to analyze the water quality of the river around the sand mining area using the Water Quality Index (WQI) method. In this study, water samples were collected at three points: upstream, middle, and downstream, with three repetitions conducted over three consecutive days near the sand mining area of Sembubuk Village, Muaro Jambi Regency. The test results showed significant values in several parameters, including TSS at the midpoint, which reached 252 mg/l. This figure indicates a high number of suspended particles in the water. The turbidity value at the midpoint was also very high, at 285 NTU, indicating very cloudy water. In addition, the DO level at the midpoint of the mining site was the lowest, at 2.21 mg/l. This low DO indicates that the mining process releases oxidized materials trapped in the bottom sediment, which consume oxygen in the water. These parameters individually did not meet the river water quality standards. The method used combined various parameters, and the overall value could reflect the combined conditions of each parameter. Thus, the analysis of the WQI pollution level of the Batanghari River around the sand mining area in Sembubuk Village, Muaro Jambi Regency, indicated that the pollution level was at "Poor" status, with an average WQI value of 50.33. The midpoint had the highest WQI classification value among the points, at 50.42, indicating the greatest contribution of mining activities to the decline in water quality. Although the status improved to "Good" on the second day, this improvement was temporary. Overall, the river's condition remained poor, as its status reverted to "Poor" on the third day.]]>
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