- Assessment of Water Quality in Urban Areas

Keyword(s):  
2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 207-215
Author(s):  
Nur Afiyah Maizunati ◽  
Mohamad Zaenal Arifin

Ongoing population growth and urbanization can cause pressure on water systems, especially in urban areas. Several previous studies have found evidence of an influence between population and water quality. However, the phenomenon in Indonesia is slightly different, because although population growth has decreased trend, but the acquisition of water quality index still fluctuate in several years. This study aims to determine the significance influence of population on water quality in Indonesia. Data analysis is done through regression of panel data of 33 provinces with fixed effect model, The results showed that the population has a negative influence on water quality in Indonesia. An increase on population by 1,000 people tends to lower the water quality index by an average of 1.13 points (cateris paribus). Population growth control becomes absolute and priority in Indonesia. However, these efforts need to be accompanied by continuous improvement of competence and welfare, so that the social awareness and economic capacity of each population are increased in order to achieve a better maintenance on the quality of the environment.


1979 ◽  
Vol 10 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 171-190
Author(s):  
Pertti Lahermo ◽  
Jouko Parviainen

In this study the changes in the quality of groundwater are described on the basis of material collected at some groundwater extraction plants situated mainly in urban areas. The causes of the marked increase in the content of dissolved solids are evaluated from the 1960s onwards.


1996 ◽  
Vol 34 (12) ◽  
pp. 33-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Hosoi ◽  
Y. Kido ◽  
H. Nagira ◽  
H. Yoshida ◽  
Y. Bouda

The inflow of pollutant load from urban areas and the stagnation of water due to sea water intrusion cause the deterioration of river water quality in tidal zone. In order to improve water quality, various measures such as the reduction of pollutant load by sewage systems, discharge control from sewage treatment plants considering river flow, nutrient removal by aquatic plants, and the dredging of bottom sediments have been examined. The choice of these measures depends on the situation of the river environment and finances. In this study, a field survey was carried out in a typical urban river basin, first. Secondly, on the basis of this survey, a mathematical model was formed to simulate flow and water quality. Several purification alternatives designed for the investigated river basin were comparatively evaluated from the viewpoint of the effect of water quality improvement and their cost. Finally, they were prioritized. Through this case study, a planning process of river water quality management was shown.


1999 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 145-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. J. Pratt

Permeable surfaces for roads and footpaths have been used as a means of disposal of stormwater in developed urban areas. Such surfaces provide an alternative to impermeable concrete or tarmacadam surfaces which would otherwise produce rapid stormwater runoff, leading to possible flooding and degeneration of receiving water quality through the uncontrolled discharge of polluted urban waters. A further advantage may be obtained from such constructions by undersealing them so as to retain stormwater for re-use for non-potable uses. The potential for general introduction of this type of storage and re-use system in residential areas is discussed and possible alternative designs for the drainage infrastructure proposed. To have widespread impact such a strategy must deliver cost savings as well as reduce the impact on the water environment of anticipated water usage demands. The source of such cost savings and the general environmental benefits of such systems will be presented. The materials used in such a sealed construction and the beneficial changes to the stored water quality are outlined. Recent work has also shown that where the pavement is used for car parking any oils dropped on the surface and washed into the structure by the stormwater may also be degraded. Details will be given of a site in the UK where the above construction is to be used to provide stormwater storage for re-use in flushing toilets at a Youth Hostel.


Author(s):  
Valentina Korolevskaya ◽  
Olga Soprunova ◽  
Alina Galperina ◽  
Alina Bareeva

The paper focuses upon the control over environmental pollution of water bodies by human waste products in urban areas, which can be carried out by monitoring hydrobiological indi-cators. In the course of study undertaken in May 2017 and 2018 there was assessed the ecological and sanitary status of the Volga and Kutum rivers that flow on the territory of Astrakhan. Samples were taken at four stations; the choice of station location was determined by the presence of pollutant sources: proximity of the city market or the power plant. Quantitative and qualitative indicators of the state of phytoplankton were used as hydrobiological indicators; the total number of bacteria and the total content of coliform bacteria were evaluated as microbiological indicators. During the study period the ecological and sanitary state of water was rated as satisfactory. The number of algae taxa increased insignificantly (by 3 units), diatoms predominated in the number of genera and number. Despite the presence of 4-5 species of pure water representatives in the investigated waters, the sanitary and bacteriological situation at all the studied stations was found unfavorable; the water was characterized as polluted and dirty. In 2018, there was registered deterioration of water quality compared to 2017, while the calculated saprobity index in the Kutum river indicates the water quality improvement downstream. The increasing value of the water saprobity index in the Kutum river indicates a tendency toward the growing level of organic pollution and necessitates a comprehensive analysis of hydrobiological indicators for systematic monitoring the aquatic environment.


Author(s):  
Nandu Giri ◽  
O. P. Singh

Detailed study was undertaken in 2008 and 2009 on assessment of water quality of River Wang Chhu which flows through Thimphu urban area, the capital city of Bhutan. The water samples were examined at upstream of urban area, within the urban area and its downstream. The water samples were analyzed by studying the physico-chemical, biological and benthic macro-invertebrates. The water quality data obtained during present study are discussed in relation to land use/land cover changes(LULC) and various ongoing human activities at upstream, within the each activity areas and it’s downstream. Analyses of satellite imagery of 1990 and 2008 using GIS revealed that over a period of eighteen years the forest, scrub and agricultural areas have decreased whereas urban area and road network have increased considerably. The forest cover, agriculture area and scrub decreased from 43.3% to 42.57%, 6.88% to 5.33% and 42.55% to 29.42%, respectively. The LULC changes effect water quality in many ways. The water temperature, pH, conductivity, total dissolved solids, turbidity, nitrate, phosphate, chloride, total coliform, and biological oxygen demand were lower at upstream and higher in urban area. On the other hand dissolved oxygen was found higher at upstream and lower in urban area. The pollution sensitive benthic macro-invertebrates population were dominant at upstream sampling sites whereas pollution tolerant benthic macro-invertebrates were found abundant in urban area and its immediate downstream. The rapid development of urban infrastructure in Thimphu city may be posing serious threats to water regime in terms of its quality. Though the deterioration of water quality is restricted to a few localized areas, the trend is serious and needs proper attention of policy planners and decision makers. Proper treatment of effluents from urban areas is urgently needed to reduce water pollution in such affected areas to check further deterioration of water quality. This present study which is based on upstream, within urban area and downstream of Thimphu city can be considered as an eye opener.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Long Ho ◽  
Ruben Jerves-Cobo ◽  
Matti Barthel ◽  
Johan Six ◽  
Samuel Bode ◽  
...  

Abstract. Rivers act as a natural source of greenhouse gases (GHGs) that can be released from the metabolisms of aquatic organisms. Anthropogenic activities can largely alter the chemical composition and microbial communities of rivers, consequently affecting their GHG emissions. To investigate these impacts, we assessed the emissions of CO2, CH4, and N2O from Cuenca urban river system (Ecuador). High variation of the emissions was found among river tributaries that mainly depended on water quality and neighboring landscapes. By using Prati and Oregon Indexes, a clear pattern was observed between water quality and GHG emissions in which the more polluted the sites were, the higher were their emissions. When river water quality deteriorated from acceptable to very heavily polluted, their global warming potential (GWP) increased by ten times. Compared to the average estimated emissions from global streams, rivers with polluted water released almost double the estimated GWP while the proportion increased to ten times for very heavily polluted rivers. Conversely, the GWP of good-water-quality rivers was half of the estimated GWP. Furthermore, surrounding land-use types, i.e. urban, roads, and agriculture, significantly affected the river emissions. The GWP of the sites close to urban areas was four time higher than the GWP of the nature sites while this proportion for the sites close to roads or agricultural areas was triple and double, respectively. Lastly, by applying random forests, we identified dissolved oxygen, ammonium, and flow characteristics as the main important factors to the emissions. Conversely, low impact of organic matter and nitrate concentration suggested a higher role of nitrification than denitrification in producing N2O. These results highlighted the impacts of land-use types on the river emissions via water contamination by sewage discharges and surface runoff. Hence, to estimate of the emissions from global streams, both their quantity and water quality should be included.


Author(s):  
Roohi Rawat ◽  
A. R. Siddiqui

Clean and safe drinking water is important for the overall health and wellbeing; therefore, access to safe potable drinking water is one of the basic amenities of humankind, especially in urban areas with high consumption pattern of the large population inhabiting these spaces. Among the various sources of water, groundwater is considered to be the safest source of drinking water. However, due to rapid industrialization and population growth, the groundwater resources are getting polluted with harmful contaminants. These contaminants can be chemical or microbiological and cause various health problems. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 80 percent of all diseases in the world are directly or indirectly related to the contamination of water. Water in its natural state is colorless, odorless, and free from pathogens with pH in the range of 6.5–8.5. This water is termed as “potable water.” In the present study, the researchers have made an attempt to assess the physiochemical characteristics of drinking water quality in Allahabad and the effect of these contaminants on the health of the consumers. A comparison of the parameter standards as per the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) (ISI, Indian standard specification for drinking water (IS10500). New Delhi: ISI, 1983 ) and the WHO (Guidelines for drinking water quality (Vol. 1). Geneva: WHO, 1984 ) have also been made to understand the national and global benchmarks. With the help of the standards of various parameters given by these organizations, the assessment of water quality of samples from various locations in Allahabad has been done.


2007 ◽  
Vol 56 (11) ◽  
pp. 43-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Soyeux ◽  
F. Blanchet ◽  
B. Tisserand

New European Directive 2006/7/EC concerning the management of bathing water quality introduces the concept of ‘active management of bathing water sanitary quality’ which could lead to a temporary bathing prohibition in case of short term pollution. For the last three bathing seasons, Veolia has carried out in experimental mode this ‘active management’ concept at more than one hundred bathing sites with various characteristics. Results confirm the high level of microbiological pollution observed in sewer overflows during rainy periods, which is the main cause of bathing water quality deterioration. An on-line treatment solution has been successfully tested. This solution may be used in dense urban areas.


Author(s):  
Sorin Cheval ◽  
Cristian Mihai Adamescu ◽  
Teodoro Georgiadis ◽  
Mathew Herrnegger ◽  
Adrian Piticar ◽  
...  

Various environmental factors influence the outbreak and spread of epidemic or even pandemic events which, in turn, may cause feedbacks on the environment. The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was declared a pandemic on 13 March 2020 and its rapid onset, spatial extent and complex consequences make it a once-in-a-century global disaster. Most countries responded by social distancing measures and severely diminished economic and other activities. Consequently, by the end of April 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to numerous environmental impacts, both positive such as enhanced air and water quality in urban areas, and negative, such as shoreline pollution due to the disposal of sanitary consumables. This study presents an early overview of the observed and potential impacts of the COVID-19 on the environment. We argue that the effects of COVID-19 are determined mainly by anthropogenic factors which are becoming obvious as human activity diminishes across the planet, and the impacts on cities and public health will be continued in the coming years.


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