Conference on Inclusive & Sustainable Growth

Role of Industry, Government and Society Conference Proceedings: 2011

Development of Water Quality Index: A Case of Sabarmati River Front Development Project
Bina Patel

Abstract
Sabarmati River Front is of particular importance in the study of surface water pollution because recreational activities, urban run-off etc. are discharged and stagnant condition into the river bringing about considerable change in the river water quality. These anthropogenic activities for recreational purposes on the river Sabarmati pose a serious threat not only to organisms in the river but also the downstream water. In addition, once the surface water is contaminated, its quality cannot be restored by stopping the pollutants from the source. It therefore becomes imperative to regularly monitor the quality of the water and to device ways and means to protect it. A study is conducted to develop the water quality index of the Sabarmati River Front Development Zone for water quality parameters are DO, FC, pH, BOD5, Total Phosphate (PO4), Nitrate (NO3), Turbidity & Total Solids (TS) by using Modified Delphi Techniques. The results of the laboratory test and developed water quality suggest that the water water quality of the river Sabarmati, in river front zone, falls under category medium to bad. The critical parameters used here are BOD, DO and Fecal Coliforms. Water Quality is not suitable for recreational purposes and is only fit for other purposes like non sensitive pesiculture, livestock drinking and irrigation.

Keywords: Water Quality Index; Water pollution; Faecal coliform; Dissolved oxygen (DO); Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD).

Ms. Bina Patel

Conference on Inclusive & Sustainable Growth

Role of Industry, Government and Society Conference Proceedings: 2011

Introduction
Development along the river side can create an environment so that river gains its image as an asset of the city. The outside world always views the city region as one, built around the river, not divided by it. So development of such projects Stitches natural resource with the surrounding urban development. Internationally there have been many Riverfront development projects which were successful. For creating such an environment in Ahmedabad an initiative was taken for developing a Riverfront project along the Sabarmati River. Presently this project is under execution. But there are many speculations linked with the project. Speculation about water quality of the project. This project is also being seen as basis to adjudge the replicability of such kind of riverfront projects in other cities of India. Sabarmati River Front is of particular importance in the study of surface water pollution because recreational activities, urban run-off etc. are discharged and stagnant condition into the river bringing about considerable change in the river water quality. These anthropogenic activities for recreational purposes on the river Sabarmati pose a serious threat not only to organisms in the river but also the downstream water. In addition, once the surface water is contaminated, its quality cannot be restored by stopping the pollutants from the source. It therefore becomes imperative to regularly monitor the quality of the water and to device ways and means to protect it. The concept of water quality is fundamental to the study of environmental engineering and water resources because they explore the relation between water requirements and the form and extent of permissible departure from purity. This is linked with the term pollutants/ pollutions. A substance (either natural or man-made) becomes a pollutant only when it is introduced at a level or in a form that upsets the normal functioning of an ecosystem, or that affects human or animal health. In Ahmedabad there are few attraction centres present like Kankaria lake, Vastrapur Lake. After completion of this project will those attraction centre remain as it is or riverfront will become one and only attraction centre of the city. So water quality management needs a thorough study. This project is developed around a natural resource but water quality management for the sustainability of such project needs to be studied. Presently the water in River Sabarmati is through Narmada canal. But as global warming is taking place there are chances that rivers dry up and in such a condition what will be the water quality change in future of this project. On the other hand if floods take place or the high flood level (HFL) increases, in such a situation water quality of this project comes under question. So for such project water quality change need to be thoroughly studied.

Ms. Bina Patel

Conference on Inclusive & Sustainable Growth

Role of Industry, Government and Society Conference Proceedings: 2011

Water quality index is one of the most effective tools to communicate information on the quality of water to the concerned citizens and policy makers or water resource managers. It, thus, becomes an important parameter for the assessment and management of surface water. WQI is defined as a rating reflecting the composite influence of different water quality parameters. WQI is calculated from the point of view of the suitability of surface water for fish, wildlife and bathing.

Aim
To study various surface water quality parameters of Sabarmati Riverfront Development Project as a case and providing the information on the physic chemical characteristics in order to appreciate the quality of the river as well as to help decision makers to undertake immediate corrective actions and restore & manage the quality of water in Sabarmati Riverfront Development Zone

Objectives
To identify the critical parameters affecting the river quality Sabarmati Riverfront Development Zone To understand the water quality in Sabarmati Riverfront Development Zone in terms of identified parameters To develop an index of water quality To suggest measures to restore the quality of water based on water quality index

Study Area: Sabarmati River Front Development Zone

Ahmedabad City lies between 22o 55 and 23o 08 North Latitude and 72o 30 and 72o 42 East Longitude. The city is devoid of any major physical features except for the river Sabarmati, which cuts the city into two parts: eastern walled city and western Ahmedabad on either side of its banks. Appropriate development of the riverfront can turn the river into a major asset, which can improve the quality of environment and life in Ahmedabad and improve the efficiency of its infrastructure. In May 1997, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation established the Sabarmati River Front Development Corporation Limited (SRFDCL). The SRFDCL was provided with a capital of Rs. One crore and charged with the responsibility of developing the Sabarmati Riverfront. In August 1997, the SRFDCL appointed Environmental Planning Collaborative (EPC) a city based not for profit urban planning and urban development management consulting firm to prepare a comprehensive proposal for the development of the Sabarmati Riverfront.

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Water Quality Monitoring & Development of WQI of Sabarmati Riverfront

Sampling Locations
Eight sampling stations has been decided along the course of the river with mutual consultation with water quality experts, in order to give a comprehensive idea of overall quality of the river. The water quality at these points has been monitored over a period of 8 months once a month and covering three major seasons viz. Post monsoon, Winter and Summer

Sampling Procedure and Sample Analysis

The sampling procedure as per IS 30251 (part-1 through part-49) has been followed. The samples for DO measurement were fixed onsite and for fecal coliform sterilized bottles were used. Surface waters were collected from all the bridges on a monthly basis and segmented as per three seasons i.e. Post monsoon, winter and summer for the year 2010-2011. Month September, October December, January, February March, April Season Post Monsoon Winter Summer

Methods of sampling and test (physical and chemical) for water and wastewater

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The collected water samples have been analyzed for eight parameters: dissolved oxygen (DO), fecal coliform (FC), pH, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), temperature, total phosphate (PO4), nitrate (NO3), turbidity (T) and total solids (TS) using standard procedures of analysis. Standard procedures for each parameters has been annexed herewith in annex1.

Methodology for Development of WQI

WQI is an excellent management and general administrative tool in communicating water quality information. This index has been widely field tested and applied to data from a number of different geographical areas all over the world in order to calculate Water Quality Index (WQI) of various water bodies critical pollution parameters were considered. The Water Quality Index (WQI) has been calculated using Delhi Techniques or Weighted Arithmetic Index method (A structured process for collecting knowledge from experts using questionnaires combined with controlled opinion feedback). The quality rating scale for each parameter [Qi] would be calculated with the help of 11 water quality experts.

Brief Explanation about Water Quality Index

A total of 11 water quality scientists/experts have been interviewed for various water quality parameters and asked them for relative ranking. Eight water quality parameters would be selected to deduce the index. These parameters would be dissolved oxygen (DO), faecal coliform (FC), pH, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), total phosphate (PO4), nitrate (NO3), turbidity (T) and total solids (TS).

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T ABLE 1 W EIGHT AGE C ONSIDERING IMPORTANCE

FROM

E XPERTS

Name of Experts
Dr. A. K. A. Rathi Prof. Neeru Bansal Prof. Saswat Bandyopadh yay Dr. S. S. Rao Dr. D. J. Parikh Dr. Neesha K. Shah Mr. Paresh Patel Mr. Rajubhai H. Darji Mr. Sameer Chokshi Ms. Huma Syed Mr. Minal Makad Weighate of Each Parameter (Wi)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

DO BOD pH Fecal coliform Turbidity Total solids Total phosphate Nitrates

8 8 3 6 4 3 1 2

8 6 5 7 4 3 1 2

8 7 5 7 4 5 3 3

8 5 3 6 2 3 1 1

8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

7 5 5 4 4 3 2 2

7 5 6 1 8 4 3 1

8 7 4 6 5 3 2 1

7 6 3 8 5 2 4 1

8 5 7 2 6 1 4 3

8 7 4 6 1 2 5 3 Total

85 68 51 58 47 32 28 20 389

Total

Sr. No.

Parameter

0.22 0.17 0.13 0.16 0.12 0.08 0.07 0.05 1.0

Note: 1- lowest, 8-highest

T ABLE 2 W ATER Q UALITY P ARAMETER

Water Quality Parameter Weight DO 0.22 BOD5 0.17

AND ITS TENTATIVE

W EIGHTAGES
TS 0.08 PO4 0.07 NO3 0.05

FC 0.16

pH 0.13

Turbidity 0.12

1.1

D E V E L O P M E N T O F WQI C U R V E S

For the development of WQI curves, eleven experts were contacted and their views incorporated. All the experts were of the opinion that WQI curves developed by the United States National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) through modified delphi technique is the best approach available at present and may be adopted as it is. Hence, the value function graphs as developed by NSF have been used here. The different value function graphs for various parameters developed by NSF have been shown below:

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Chart 1: Water Function Graphs of Eight Water Quality Parameters

Calculations of WQI
An equation of water quality index has been found by using weighted factor of individual parameter and sub-index of each water quality parameter based on their respective testing values which can be found by water quality index curve or value function graph of respective parameters. The water quality index of individual parameter was calculated from water

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quality index curve. According to water quality index, following equation was has been used for the calculation. WQI= 0.22*Qi(DO) + 0.17*Qi(BOD5) + 0.16*Qi(FC) + 0.13*Qi(pH) + 0.12*Qi(T) + 0.08*Qi(TS) + 0.07*Qi(PO4) + 0.05 Qi (NO3) where Qi is the water quality sub-index The water quality index has been determined by using the water quality index equation. To find the water quality index of individual parameter, the mathematical average of the concentration of all the locations have been taken. Using water quality index, some predictions would be made for the uses of the water at different purposes. The water quality index relates the water quality parameters to a scale ranging from 0 (very bad) to 100 (excellent). Based on water quality index the classification of water is shown in below table:

T ABLE 3 C LASSIFICATION
WQI Range Water Quality

OF

R IVER W ATER
71-90 Good

BASED ON

WQI
26-50 Bad 0-25 Very Bad

91-100 Excellent

51-70 Medium

Source: National Sanitation Foundation (NSF)

Results & Discussions

The water quality at different sampling locations is presented in charts below along with the value of parameters corresponding to Category B as suggested by Central Pollution Control Board.
8.2 8 7.8 7.6 Post Monsoon Winter Summer 30 35 Post Monsoon Winter Summer

Turbodity (NTU)
L1 L2 L3 L4 L5 L6 L7 L8

25 20 15 10 5 0 L1 L2 L3 L4 L5 L6 L7 L8

pH

7.4 7.2 7 6.8 6.6

Sampling Locations

Sampling Locations

Chart 2: Dissolved Oxygen at different sampling locations

Chart 3: Turbidity at different sampling locations

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1200 1000

12

Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)

Post Monsoon

Winter Limit

Post Monsoon 10 Summer 8 6 4 2 0 L1 L2 L3 L4 L5 L6

Winter Limit

FC (MPN/100 ml)

Summer 800 600 400 200 0 L1 L2 L3 L4 L5

L6

L7

L8

L7

L8

Sampling Locations

Sampling Locations

Chart 4: FC (MPN/100 ml) at different sampling locations

80 70 60 Post Monsoon Summer Winter

Chart 5: Dissolved Oxygen at different sampling locations

1400 1200 Post Monsoon Winter Summer

Total Solids (mg/L)

Limit

1000 800 600 400 200 0

BOD (mg/L)

50 40 30 20 10 0 L1 L2 L3 L4 L5 L6 L7 L8

L1

L2

L3

L4

L5

L6

L7

L8

Sampling Locations

Sampling Locations

Chart 6: BOD5 at different sampling locations

Chart 7: Total Solids at different sampling locations

5 4.5

Post Monsoon

Winter

Summer

4 3.5 Post Monsoon Winter Summer

Total Phosphate(mg/L)

4 3.5 3 2.5 2 1.5 1 0.5 0 L1 L2 L3 L4 L5 L6 L7 L8

Nitrates(mg/L)

3 2.5 2 1.5 1 0.5 0 L1 L2 L3 L4 L5 L6 L7 L8

Sampling Locations

Sampling Locations

Chart 8: Total Phosphate at different sampling locations

Chart 9: Nitrates at different sampling locations

Post monsoon Season: pH of water samples varies between 7.4 to 8.1 in all the eight sampling locations. Total Solids (TS) varies between 194 to 975 mg/l Subhas Bridge to Shashtri Bridge. Dissolved Oxygen varies between BDL to 9.9 mg/l from upstream to downstream. Likewise BOD values varies between BDL to 70 mg/L. However total

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Phosphate and nitrate values are between 0.04 mg/l to 1.95 mg/l. Fecal Coliforms ranges 265 to 385. Winter Season: pH of water samples varies between 7.6 to 8 at Shashtri Bridge to Indira Bridge. TDS of water samples varies between 164 mg/l at Indira Bridge to 1,155 mg/l at Shshatri Bridge. However the BOD values varies between BDL at Indira Bridge to 76 mg/l at shashtri bridge. FC (MPN/100 mL) values varied between 280 mg/l to 463 mg/l. Summer Season: Water sample from Shashtri bridge shows high TDS which may be due to the discharge of treatment plant. In most of the locations the pH is near 7.5 and Dissolved Oxygen <6 mg/l indicating the deterioration of the river condition due to dry weather flow. However the BOD value above 4 mg/l from Gandhi bridge indicated the domestic sewage pollution in the river. In some stations like L7 and L8 the BOD values are higher than 10 to 15 mg/l, which gives a clear picture that, the river water is grossly polluted (ISI 1983; WHO 1984). In Sabarmati River system higher BOD values were recorded during summer season and such observation was also made by Annual Report of GPCP 2008-2009. WQI of eight sampling locations are depicted in chart 10 in post monsoon, winter and summer seasons respectively. The following observations have been made of various water bridges in the study area.
90 80 70 60

Post monsoon

Winter

Summer

WQI

50 40 30 20 10 0
Indira Bridge Subhas Bridge Gandhi Bridge Nehru Bridge Ellis Bridge Sardar Bridge Ambedkar Bridge Shastri Bridge

Sampling Location
Chart 10: Overall WQI values in different seasons

In Post Monsoon Season: The quality of Indira bridge and Subhash bridge are good and fall under B category. The water quality from Gandhi bridge to Ambedker bridge are observed to be of medium quality and are classified as C category. At last sampling point i.e. of Shashtri bridge is having poor water quality and is classified as D category since the outfall of STP is located before the sampling point. WQI values in upstream two stations that show a better rating than downstream due to lower BOD and FC values. The water quality

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during this season is best compared to other seasons and it may be attributed to dilution as a result of rainy season. In Winter Season: The quality of water in winter is comparatively better than summer but worse than post monsoon season. This may be because of the lower temperature and increase in dissolution of oxygen due to lower temperature and decrease in activity of micro organisms. The quality of water, however, in the stretch from Ellis Bridge to Shastri Nagar falls under D category and hence requires attention. In Summer Season: The quality of water in summer is worse as compared to other seasons. This is mainly due to less availability of water for dilution due to increased evaporation rate, high activity of micro organism and low dissolution of oxygen because of high temperature. The quality of water, in the entire stretch falls under C and D categories implying moderate and bad quality. This duration, hence, in particular requires interventions. 1.0 Conclusion It is clear from the study that the water quality of the river Sabarmati, in river front zone, falls under category medium to bad. The critical parameters used here are BOD, DO and Fecal Coliforms. However these are no exclusive and in special cases other parameters may also be looked upon.

Water Quality is not suitable for recreational purposes and is only fit for other purposes like non sensitive pesiculture, livestock drinking and irrigation. Generally, once a trend in pollution sets in, it accelerates day by day. So, there is a possible risk of heavy water quality deterioration in near future. The map below shows the categories of water quality along different stretches.

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References
National Weather Service Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service. http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ahps2/river.php?wfo=mkx&wfoid=18793&riverid=203217&view=1,1, 1,1,1,1,1,1&toggles=10,7,8,2,9,15,6&pt[]=144152&allpoints=141741,144028,141189,144152 ,141951,142454,141979,144575,142233,141984,144500,142603,146132,142737,144852,1 41879&d. [Online] Hargreaves associates, Kennedy coulter rushing watson. N ashville Riverfront Concept Plan. January 2007. ndia's Prosperous Cities with high per capita income. www.trendsniff.com/2008/09/indiasproperous-cities-with-high-per-capita-income/. [Online] September 28, 2008. (EPC), Environmental Planning Collabrative. Proposal for Sabarmati Riverfront Devlopment. Ahmedabad : s.n., May 1998. Associates, Bacon &. Task 2 Final Report, The Riverfront Revitalization. July 2006. Development of international exchange system for river restoration technology. Kazumasa ITO, Junzo SAGO, Yumi IMANISHI, Masafumi ITO. Nanded River Front Development. Urban Renewal: Development of the Sabarmati Riverfront. India Urban Portal. May 2009. Riverfront Strategies for Economic Development. August 2003. QED. Waikerie Riverfront Development - Master Plan. September 2007. Taubman college of Urban Planning, University of Michigan. West Riverfront Detroit Design Charrette. 2004. Rajendra K. Pachauri, Andy Reisinger, Core Writing Team. Climate Change 2007 Synthesis Report. Research, RESMA. STUDY OF PREVAILING LAND PRICES IN AHMEDABAD. Research, Economics Center for Education and. Renaissance On The River- The Impact Of Major Riverfront Developments And Other Major Attractions In The City Center Of Cincinnati USA. Cincinnati : s.n., September 2002. Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service Milwaukee Sullivan Rock River at Jefferson. http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=mkx&gage=jffw3&view=1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1 &toggles=10,7,8,2,9,15,6. [Online] . www.gicl.in/ahmedabad_property_rates.html#commercial. [Online] . Task 3 Final Report, The Riverfront Revitalization Organization Study. May 2007.

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Recreation, Department of Parks and. T h e R i v e r f r o n t D e v e l o p m e n t P l a nPittsburg. EPC. SABARMATI RIVERFRONT DEVELOPMENT PROJECT. 2007. Standard Methods for Water Quality Monitoring Environmental Impact Assessment of SRFDC project prepared by CEPT, 2002 Evaluation of Water Quality of the Titas River Using NSF Water Quality Index by S. Islam, M. T. Rasul, M. J. B. Alam, and M. A. Haque, Published by Journal of Scientific Research Fuzzy Logic Water Quality Index and Importanceof Water Quality Parameters by Raman Bai, Reinier Bouwmeester and Mohan Assessment of Water Quality Index in Mahanadi and Atharabanki Rivers and Taldanda Canal in Paradip Area, India by Pradyusa Samantray, Basanta K. Mishra, Chitta R. Panda and Swoyam P. Rout

Author
Ms. Bina Patel, 4th Semester - M.E. (Environmental Management) L D Engineering College. Email: Binapatel27@gmail.com

Ms. Bina Patel