Abstract:
Guder River is important river around the Balesa town. As a result, the primary goal of this
study is to explore the water quality characteristics of the Guder River and consider the source
of pollutants that will contribute to harm to the community in the future. Five sample locations
were selected and sampling was done twice in each of the wet and dry seasons. Various
physicochemical and bacteriological characteristics namely, pH, PO4
3-
, Turbidity, TDS, TH,
DO, BOD, NO3
-
,Ca2+
, EC, Mg2+, K+
, CO3
-2
, HCO3
-
, SO4
2-
, Cl-
, Na+
and Fecal coliform were
determined for all samples following standard procedures. The analysis' results were contrasted
with the upper permissible limit values for irrigation and drinking that were suggested by the
FAO and WHO, respectively. The Weighted Arithmetic Water Quality Index (WAWQI) approach
was used to assess the water quality for drinking purposes. WQI results ranged from 60.60 to
119.76 in the dry season and from 212.7 to 262.5 during the rainy season. The calculated WQI
values show that during the wet season, all sampling locations were categorized as "unsuitable"
for drinking. It ranged from poor to unsuitable Category during the dry season. With the
exception of the magnesium ratio during the wet season at sample point SP4, all river water
samples were suitable to be used for irrigation when tested using the irrigation water quality
index, which included SAR, RBC, PI, %Na, SSP, KI, and MH values. From the analyses, it is
understood that Turbidity (84 ± 15.6 to 105.5 ± 13.4 NTU), PO4
-3
(0.33 ± 0.11 to 0.46 ± 0.17
mg/L), BOD5 (6.0 ± 0.51 to 11.3 ± 0.6 mg/L) and Fecal coliform (43 ± 5.7 to 110 ± 10.6
CFU/100ml) during the wet season and Turbidity (8.54 ± 2.13 to 15.68 ± 0.95NTU), PO4
-3
(0.100 ± 0.03 to 0.242 ± 0.03 mg/L), BOD5 (2.42 ± 0.08 and 6.91 ± 1.12) except SP2 and SP3;
and Fecal coliform (13 ± 0.7 to 42 ± 24 CFU/100ml) during dry season so, all are wet and dry
season acceptable limit in FAO. This sp2 and sp3 have been related to human activities and
natural process that load pollution into the river. Finally, the study recommends sustainable
management to prevent pollution in Guder River.
Description:
A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF WATER SUPPLY AND
ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
ARBAMINCH WATER TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE,
SCHOOL OF GRADUATES‟ STUDIES IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN WATER SUPPLY
AND SANITATION ENGINEERING
