Abstract:
In developing country, surface water is becoming more and more contaminated from
various sources. The Qeha River's water quality has significantly polluted as a result
of many activities like the removal of garbage from industry, agriculture, and
commercial marketplaces, as well as the expansion of illegal settlements. The river's
utility is being constrained by these circumstances. The goal of the study was to
evaluate the pollution profile and impacts of the Qeha River in the communities of
Gondar. From March through August 2022, water samples were taken from various
sample stations along a section of the Qeha River. Six strategic sample locations were
chosen to investigate the characteristics relating to river water quality. Field &
laboratory analyses were performed. During this study, the key parametric measuring
tools like Incubator, spectrophotometer, membrane filtration and Palintest multiparameter water quality checker were used. The results of the investigation showed
that for both seasons (dry and wet), the range of P
H
(5.51-8.96), Temperature (19.6-23.8)
0
C, Turbidity (22.5-497.3) NTU, Electrical conductivity (260-1305.5) μS/cm,
Total dissolved solids (129-1319) mg/l, Total coliform (0-190) N/100ml, E.coli (0-179) N/100ml, Nitrate (38.4-145) mg/l, Phosphate (1.82-38) mg/l, Dissolved oxygen
(2.5-12.5) mg/l and Biological oxygen demand (4.5-126) mg/l. Almost, the values of
all parameter did not fit with WHO and Ethiopian drinking water quality standards as
well as FAO irrigation guidelines. Using these measured parametric values, the
Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment Water Quality Index (CCMEWQI) was calculated and found as 45.7 for dry season and 43.7 for the rainy season
respectively. According to the findings, the Qeha River's suitability for drinking as
well as irrigation purpose is rated as (marginal) water quality in the dry season and
as (poor) water quality in the wet season, which indicates that, the water from the
Qeha River was unfit for drinking or irrigation use in both seasons. It is
recommended that, stakeholders including the Gondar water supply and sanitation
office, the city administration body, the EPA, and NGOs to educate the downstream
community about the harmful impacts of the Qeha river water and essentially
providing feedback for input to the Gondar town EPA. It is also recommended,
alternative water source be built nearby for drinking or irrigation use.
Key words: Water quality, Index, CCME-WQI method, Qeha River, Gondar town