Title: Application of water quality indices to define surface water quality in Tehran

Authors: Golamreza Asadollahfardi

Addresses: Faculty of Engineering, Civil Engineering Department, Tarbiyat Moalem University, Mofateh Avenue, Tehran, Iran

Abstract: Tehran is one of the capitals of the world that is not situated around a river, therefore surface water discharges into a network of natural streams and even some artificial canals. Owing to the lack of sewerage system, part of the sewage runs to the network of streams without any control. The aim of this work is to identify a baseline for the water quality, which will then help policy-makers and environmental management on planning strategies for the improvement of water quality and usage of water. The data has been monitored over a period of three years. The author|s own data and secondary data was analysed using National Sanitation Foundation|s Water Quality Index (NSFWQI) method. The results for both sets of data were the same, which shows the technique for analysing the water quality in Tehran could be applicable. As a whole, this study shows that the quality of surface water in Tehran is not environmentally acceptable by international standards, especially in dry seasons.

Keywords: catchment area; empirical index; WQI; water quality index; water quality monitoring; Tehran; Iran; surface waters; environmental management; water usage planning.

DOI: 10.1504/IJW.2009.023082

International Journal of Water, 2009 Vol.5 No.1, pp.51 - 69

Published online: 08 Feb 2009 *

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