Evaluation of Aydughmush River water quality using the National Sanitation Foundation Water Quality Index (NSFWQI), River Pollution Index (RPI), and Forestry Water Quality Index (FWQI)

Abstract

In rivers, water flowing results in dilution and decomposition of pollutants faster than standing water. Water quality index (WQI) is a tool to reflect the composite influence of different water quality parameters. WQI is a fast and simple manner to show water quality from the point of view of a special consumption such as human consumption etc. Therefore, in this study, the water quality of the Aydughmush River evaluated by the National Sanitation Foundation Water Quality Index (NSFWQI), Forestry Water Quality Index (FWQI), and River Pollution Index (RPI). This study surveyed the parameters of the NSFWQI and RPI including dissolved oxygen percentage, temperature difference, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), fecal coliform bacteria, turbidity, total suspended solids, pH, and phosphate. In addition, 22 parameters were measured for FWQI calculating. These parameters were measured at eight stations for one year (2010–2011). The results showed that water quality of Aydughmush River is within the “Medium” category according to the NSFWQI and the “Negligibly polluted” class based on RPI. The overall water index was in the borderline at all the stations but it was excellent at station D based on FWQI. According to this study, the results of NSFWQI and FWQI are consistent with each other but RPI index has different results.

Keywords:

• Aydughmush River
• Water Quality Index
• NSFWQI
• RPI
• FWQI