Analytical assessment of Mahabadchai river water quality using Iran water quality index

Background and Objective: With the industrialization of communities, population increase and use of surface water, river pollution has been increased by agricultural, industrial pollutants and urban wastewater. Therefore, investigation of river pollution for regional and environmental planning is of great importance. To evaluate surface water pollution, a number of surface water quality indices have been investigated. Materials and Methods: Iran water quality index for surface water resources (IRWQISC) approach was used to evaluate the water quality of the Mahabadchai river, Iran. Sampling was carried out along the Mahabadchai river based on some criteria such as approximately to drainage areas for landfills/domestic and agricultural effluents. Results: Pearson correlation coefficient between physical, chemical and microbial parameters of water showed that fecal coliform, BOD, COD, nitrate, ammonium, phosphate, turbidity and total hardness had a significant positive relationship with each other at 99% confidence. According to this index, upstream samples of the river are classified as good, mid-stations relatively good to moderate category, and downstream samples of the river are classified as relatively bad. Conclusion: Based on the relationship between each variable, fecal coliform, BOD, COD, ammonium, and turbidity were more effective in determining the IRWQISC. Most of the examined variables showed low concentrations in upstream areas of the river while their concentration gradually increased along the river to downstream areas, especially close to urban and industrial districts.