Assessment on Buriganga River Water Quality at Selected Locations

Abstract

This assessment has been performed to investigate the present water quality of Buriganga river at selected locations and to find possible solutions to prevent the degradation of the Buriganga river water quality. The present water quality parameters have been compared with the irrigation standard of Bangladesh (ECR, 1997) and also to investigate the trend of changing of the water quality parameters with respect to time. To ensure better and healthy environment to the riverine areas of Buriganga river and to protect the river water from pollution several steps must have been taken. From three stations (Babubazar Bridge ghat, Badamtoli ghat and Wise ghat), nine samples have been collected. The selected parameters are pH, DO, BOD, EC, TDS and Turbidity. From the laboratory test it has been noted that the DO value of sample-6 is 2.9 mg/L under Badamtoli ghat which is the biggest threat to the aquatic organism. The EC, TDS and Turbidity value Badamtoli ghat is comparatively higher than the other stations. The overall average DO and BOD value of three stations are not satisfactory. The Water Quality Index developed from the weighted arithmetic index method which represents that the index value of the three stations that are respectively 151, 134 and 136 which indicate that the water is unfit for irrigation according to ECR, 1997. Since 2011 to 2021 the pH value trends to rises up. The TDS value also trends to rises up. On the other hand, the DO value is significantly decreasing. From this observation the indication is clear that the water quality of Buriganga river is degrading with an alarming rate which unfolds a huge environment and health risk.