EVALUATION OF WATER QUALITY INDEX FOR RIVER MUTHA BY WEIGHTED ARITHMETIC MEAN METHOD

Abstract

Rivers play a very important role in social, cultural and economic development of any region. River Mutha in Pune is highly polluted due to discharge of municipal sewage (partially treated or untreated), industrial waste as well as solid waste. Despite of various standards and laws made by government, many industries are discharging their waste directly into the river and making its quality poor day by day. Detailed analysis is needed to evaluate different factors in polluting water. The aim of the work is to calculate water quality index for Mutha River considering the physical, chemical and biological parameters such as pH, Temperature, Turbidity, Dissolved Oxygen, Biological Oxygen Demand, Total Solids, Electrical Conductivity, Sulphates, Phosphates, Nitrates, Chlorides and MPN. The indices computed for winter and summer season for four locations such as: Khadakwasla downstream, near Vitthalwadi, near Omkareshwar Temple and near Sangam Bridge. The result showed that water quality varied from good to very poor range. In general the water quality degrades downstream. Khadakwasla Dam water quality is observed to be better than other three locations. This research has large scope to understand effect of rapid industrialization on deteriorating river water quality leading to environmental problems and health issues.