Analyzing Physico - Chemical Quality Parameters of Abay River Near To Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

Abstract

Abay River is an important source of domestic and drinking water in Bahir Dar; Ethiopia. To analyze the quality of this river water samples were collected from various points of the river and tested at the dry season for different physicochemical quality parameters. In addition, samples were taken from point sources such as industrial waste and urban sewage to evaluate their impact on the river. The study was conducted at Bahir Dar, Ethiopia from kebele 11 to Sebatamit 17. The study involved assessing surface water physical and chemical parameters at 12 different points upstream, downstream and at mixing sites. Multi Probe and laboratory analysis were used to measure the physical-chemical characteristics of the Abay River. Water temperature, dissolved oxygen, total dissolved solids, electrical conductivity, salinity and pH were measured by a multi meter probe onsite. Whereas the other parameters such as turbidity, Biological oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand and ammonia was measured using laboratory. Water Temperature (22.2 to 25.5^oC) , Total Dissolved Solids (117 to753 mg/l), Turbidity (12.72 to 240 NTU), Dissolved Oxygen (2.5 to 7.8 mg/l) , pH (6.5 to 7.96), Electric Conductivity (180 to 1158 µS/cm), Salinity (0.11 to 1.5mg/l),Bio-chemical Oxygen Demand (5.3 to 50 mg/l) , Chemical Oxygen Demand (16 to 151 mg/l) and ammonia (0.012 to56 mg/l). Based on the findings the most parameters were above the permissible limit of world health organization and the water was unfit for drinking purpose without treatment.

Keywords: Physico-chemical, Abay River, pollution, water quality, Ethiopia

DOI: 10.7176/CER/12-2-02

Publication date: February 29^th 2020