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Water Quality: in the Environmental Perspective of North Western Region of Bangladesh

A. K. M. H. Talukder
Department of Botany, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh.

Moniruzzaman Khondker
Department of Botany, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh.

K. K. Anam
Department of Botany, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Water quality parameter measurements such as temperature, pH, NH₃-N, Cl^-, SO₄²-, Fe, DO, BOD₅, COD, total coliform, arsenic and chromium (VI) from important surface and ground water sources in the north west region of Bangladesh were carried out. Except Ghagot River, Nandakuja river and Bamandanga beel, the surface water quality were within permissible range when compared with standards proposed by the Department of Environment, Bangladesh. On the other hand the pollution of the above mentioned rivers and the beel was mainly due to the contaminating discharges from open latrines and Natore Sugar Mills (for Nandakuja river). However, the pollution was regarded as temporary and not harmful for the aquatic ecology in the area because of enhanced self purification capacity of the water bodies during monsoon. Slight contamination of some ground water sources as indicated by the values of BOD₅, COD and coliform count was observed. To avoid fish kill risks at Nandakuja river waste input by Natore Sugar Mills should be stopped.

Keywords: Water, Quality, North Western Region

Location: Rangpur, Pabna, Bogra, Rajshahi, Natore, Kurigram, Naogaon and Gaibandha Districts

Start Date: 00-02-1992

End Date: 00-03-1992

Program Area: Quality and Nutrition

Commodity: Water quality

Objectives:

To investigate water quality as well as environmental impact assessment studies in the north west region of Bangladesh

Methodology:

All the major rivers and beels of the northern part of Bangladesh were sampled for the surface water quality study. Water samples from some deep and shallow tubewells were also taken for analyzing the ground water quality. Samples for the present study were collected through a single visit to each station between February and March 1992. Grab sampling method was followed for surface water collection. On each visit to the station surface water samples were collected at a depth of 46 cm by a hand pump. For ground water samples at first the tubewell was flushed for 2-3 minutes then water was poured into the collection vessel throughout fall pipe of the tubewell head. All samples were kept in previously cleaned HDPE bottles and stored at 4°C in ice box. The analysis was started within 6 hour of collection. Water temperature was recorded with the help of a mercury centigrade thermometer during sampling at each station. Measurement of pH and ammonia-nitrogen was completed on site by adding 6 drops of wide range 4 pH indicator solution and 3 drops of Nessler Reagent to the 5 ml volume of water sample, respectively and then matching the developed color with the color comparator disc of the HACH Water Quality Test Kit (Model FF-I A, USA). Samples for dissolved oxygen (DO) were fixed on-site by adding 2 ml manganous sulphate solution and 2 ml alkaline iodide- azide reagent to the 300 ml sample in BOD bottle. The sample were later on analyzed in the laboratory following Azide Modification of Winklers' Method (ASTM 1987). Parameters like nitrate-nitrogen, sulphate, chloride, iron, chromium (VI) and arsenic were determined in the laboratory, Department of Environment (DOE), Dhaka following UV- spectrophotometric screening method (APHA 1985), gravimetric method (ASTM 1987), silver nitrate titration method (ASTM 1987), phenanthroline method (APHA 1985), diphenyl- carbohydrazide method (ASTM 1987) and silver diethyl dithioearbamate method (ASTM 1987), respectively. Other parameters such as BOD₅, COD and coliform count were analyzed in the DOE laboratory, Bogra following standard BOD₅measurement method (APHA 1985), dichromate oxygen demand method (ASTM 1987) and membrane filter technique (APHA 1985), respectively.

Source of Information: Bangladesh J. Sci. Res. 12(1): 49-54, 1994 (June), ISSN: 0253-5432

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The present study revealed that surface water quality of the northern part of Bangladesh is reasonable. Although bacterial and organic matter pollution are observed in some of the rivers and beels these problems are considered temporary. So, it does not warrant anything harmful long-term effect upon the aquatic ecology of the region. Monsoonal wash-out and flow of some major rivers are the greatest remedy against the pollutants. However, discharge of untreated effluent from Sugar Mills must be stopped to avoid the fish-kill risk of Nandakuja river.

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