Assessment of Textile Effluents and Ground Water Quality of Adjacent Areas in Paharang Drain Faisalabad

Abstract

This study was conducted for the assessment of textile effluents and ground water quality of adjacent areas in Paharang drain Faisalabad. The study was aimed to analyze the physicochemical parameters and heavy metal concentrations in various textile and industrial effluents, to evaluate the effects on the ground water quality of surrounding areas of Paharang drain. Fifteen ground water samples and ten wastewater samples of drain were collected and analyzed by using standard methods. Results of wastewater samples were compared with Pak EPA standard limits that indicated the physicochemical parameters including PH, Total Suspended Solids, Total Alkalinity, Oxidation Reduction Potential, Salt and Temperature were found within the permissible limits. While rest of physicochemical parameters (Electrical Conductivity, Total Dissolve Solid, Turbidity, Chloride, Sodium Chloride, Fluoride and Total Hardness) were found exceeding the permissible limits in wastewater samples. In order to analyze the impacts of wastewater on nearby ground water aquifers, groundwater samples were analyzed for the same parameters and results were compared with Pak EPA standard limits. In groundwater pH, Temperature, ORP, Turbidity, Total Alkalinity and TSS were found within the permissible limit while EC, TDS, Salt, Total Hardness, NaCl, Cl and Fluoride in most of samples were found above the standard limits of Pak EPA. Heavy metals like nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), lead (Pb) and arsenic (As) concentrations in wastewater and ground water samples were not detected. Heavy metals (Ni, Cr, Fe, Pb and As) were found within the prescribed concentrations in drain and ground water samples. A combine effluents treatment plant at the end of Paharang drain may improve the River Chenab water quality, however, for improving the ground water quality in adjacent areas; textile wastewater treatment at individual factories is required