Assessment of water quality of stream passing through Bahria University Islamabad for non potable usage (T-1301) (MFN 4007)

Abstract

The present study was conducted to assess the quality of stream water passing through Bahria University and sector E-8 of Islamabad for non potable purposes. To check the suitability of stream water, the quantitative analysis of physico-chemical parameters was conducted. Sampling was done in three different seasons of premonsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon. Three sampling sites were selected along the length of stream to check the quantity of parameters like color, electrical conductivity, turbidity, pH, alkalinity, hardness, total suspended solids, total dissolved solids, dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, and some common ions such as Na+, K +, SO4 2-, PO4 3-, NO3 - , Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , Cl - , CO3 2- and HCO3 - . The results showed that all the physical and chemical parameters of stream water were within desirable permissible limits except turbidity, total suspended solids, biological oxygen demand and chemical oxygen demand. Average turbidity was calculated to be approximately 3.5 (w/v) percent more than the required limit at all sampling sites. The average amount of total suspended solid also increases from 170 to 215 ppm during monsoon season. Similarly the biological oxygen demand and chemical oxygen demand were found to be a little higher i.e. 107 and 155ppm respectively at second sampling site (Naval Complex). The increase was due to the addition of municipal waste of Naval Complex. This rise in biological oxygen demand and chemical oxygen demand was temporary and their value goes below the permissible limits as the stream flows towards third sampling site i.e. Bahria University. The physico-chemical characteristics of stream under investigation suggested that there was no harm for using this water for non potable purposes. On the basis of the findings of the research, it is concluded to use the stream water for watering green belts. Further, this stream water can be used as a test project in order to check the suitability of water for landscaping and agricultural irrigation.