Water quality was determined in the different stretches of the river Sutlej (S1, S2, and S3) for a period of 1 year (November 2006 to October 2007). S1 was at Ropar Head Works, S2 at U/S of Budha Nallah at Phillaour, and S3 was D/S of Budha Nallah in district Ludhiana (Punjab). Relatively low values of TDS, turbidity, BOD, total alkalinity, total hardness, chlorides, nitrates, and phosphates were recorded at S1 and S2 as compared to S3. Heavy metals like Pb, Zn, Cr, and Ni were detected at S2 and S3. On the basis of water quality standards given by Central Pollution Control Board, the water quality was at “A–B” at S1, “B–C” at S2, and “D–E” at S3. For the computation of water quality rating and water quality index, nine parameters were considered. The mean values of these parameters were compared with WHO, ICMR, and ISI standards. The water quality index at stations S1, S2, and S3 was 32.84, 51.01, and 132.66, respectively. This clearly indicated that the river water at station S2 and S3 was found to be unsafe for human consumption.