Integrated river quality management by CCME WQI as an effective tool to characterize surface water source pollution (Case study: Karun River, Iran)

Evaluation of surface water quality is a complex process undertakingmultiple parameters. Converting great amount of parameters into a simpler expressionand enabling easy interpretation of data are the main purposes of water quality indices.The main aim of this study is to plan effective water resources management system forKarun River by combination of CCMEWQI and Geographic Information System (GIS).The investigation was carried out to set a management plan through exploratory andspatial analysis of physicochemical water parameters of collected samples from 10stations over one year period. Since all indices were obtained from index, river zoningwas conducted by GIS. Moreover, trace metals concentrations (As, Cr, Cd, Fe, Zn, Mn,and Al) ranged in safer limit. The highest values of F1 belonged to aquatic life and thelowest ones belonged to irrigation. Aquatic life and drinking uses received the maximumvalues of F2. The lowest values were devoted to livestock and then recreation uses. It wasinferred from index that the quality of the Karun River is principally impacted by highturbidity, TDS, NO3, SO4, and PO4 due to high suspended sediment loads. The maincause is incremental agricultural, industrial, and residential effluents. Amongst stations,station one only received the priority for drinking water supply and recreation.