Assessment of Water Quality Parameters in Karnafuli River: A Case Study in Karnafuli Paper Mill Area

Abstract

Karnafuli River is the largest and important river, located in port city Chittagong of
Bangladesh. Karnafully paper mill is situated in the embankment of this river and dependent
for water supply. This study has been conducted in river basin area near to this paper mill to
assess the important water quality parameters specifically pH, Turbidity, TDS, Temperature
and Dissolved Oxygen (DO). There are three sampling locations consisting of upstream,
middle stream and downstream at the 100 meter distance from each other were been selected
for analysis. The study found the pH, turbidity, TDS, Temperature and DO values in
upstream are 5.5, 36 NTU, 300 ppm, 32 0C and 5.6 mg/l whereas middle stream values are
5.2, 37.2 NTU, 1021 ppm, 34 0C and 4.2 mg/l and downstream values are 5.4, 36 NTU, 751
ppm, 32.3 0C and 4.8 mg/l respectively. Analyzed data has shown that the quality of
discharge water are beyond of Bangladesh national standard and contaminating with river
water causing for adverse impacts on surrounding aquatic environment. The finding, hereby
arguing to treat effluent before discharge into the river and the people and the government
should be sincere for reducing this river pollution.