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Evaluation of Water Quality of the Titas River Using Nsf Water Quality Index

S. Islam
Department of Civil Engineering, IUBAT - International University of Business Agriculture and Technology, Uttara Model Town, Dhaka-1230, Bangladesh

M. T. Rasul
Department of Civil Engineering, IUBAT - International University of Business Agriculture and Technology, Uttara Model Town, Dhaka-1230, Bangladesh

M. J. B. Alam
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet-3114, Bangladesh

M. A. Haque
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet-3114, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The Titas River, a trans-boundary river of Bangladesh flows almost the entire Brahmanbaria district, consumes a huge amount of sewage, agricultural discharges and runoff, waste produced from human excreta, discharges of two oil mills and contaminants from other minor sources. A study is conducted to find the water quality status of the river during the period from July 2008 to June 2009 and by using National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) water quality index, the probable use of this water is predicted. This work consists of laboratory tests for the evaluation of some water quality parameters of the Titas and to identify its probable use in various purposes. The results of the laboratory tests and NSF water quality index suggest that the water can be used for recreation, pisciculture and irrigation purposes but requires treatment before using for drinking.

Keywords: Water pollution; Faecal coliform; Dissolved oxygen (DO); Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD).

Location: Department of Civil Engineering, IUBAT - International University of Business Agriculture and Technology, Uttara Model Town, Dhaka-1230, Bangladesh

Start Date: 00-07-2008

End Date: 00-06-2009

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Water quality

Objectives:

The main objective of the WQI system is to use it as a preliminary means of assessment of a water body for compliance with the standards adopted for five designated classes of beneficial uses.

Methodology:

The water samples were collected both in wet and dry seasons from ten locations maintaining a distance of 2 to 3 km from each other. This study has covered approximately 22-26 km linear distance near Nabinagar Upazila where Station-1 is at downstream and Station-10 at upstream. The concentrations of river water quality parameter were determined in the laboratory and some tests in the field (pH and temperature). DO, BOD5, PO₄, NO₃, FC and TS of river water were determined following standard procedure (APHA-AWWA-WPCF 1989) [12] and pH, temperature and turbidity were measured by pH meter, thermometer and turbidity meter respectively. The values of water quality parameters tested werecompared with Bangladesh drinking water quality standard and in some cases with inland surface water quality for recreation, pisciculture and irrigation to observe the quality of the river water [13]. An equation of NSF water quality index was found by using weighted factor of individual parameter and sub-index of each water quality parameter based on their respective testing values which can be found by water quality index calculator or water quality index curve of respective parameters. The water quality index of individual parameter was calculated from water quality index calculator used by Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, Center of Environmental Quality, Wilkes University. To find the water quality index of individual parameter, the mathematical average of the concentration of all the location was taken. Using water quality index, some predictions were made for the uses of the water at different purposes. 3. Data Analysis The river water quality parameters which are necessary for finding NSF water quality index, such as DO, FC, pH, BOD5, temperature, PO₄, NO₃, turbidity and TS are analyzed along with their standard values for Bangladesh [13] (BDS = Bangladesh Drinking Water Quality Standard, R = Recreation, P = Pisciculture and I = Irrigation).

Source of Information: J. Sci. Res. 3 (1), 151-159 (2011)

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

It is now clear from the analysis that the water quality of the Titas River is of medium category and belongs to Class-III based on NSF water quality index. It is not suitable for drinking but fit for other purposes like non sensitive pisciculture, livestock drinking, irrigation and recreation. Generally, once a trend in pollution sets in, it accelerates day by day. So, there is a possible risk of heavy water quality deterioration in near future. The proper authority should take necessary steps to maintain the acceptable water quality andensure the flow of the Titas. Some steps could improve the river water quality like proper dredging, using pesticides and fertilizers in controlled manner, discharging domestic and industrial effluents after proper treatment and building up awareness about river pollution to the surrounding community.

Knowledge Management: Journal