Evaluation of al-shamiyah river water quality using the canadian council of ministries of the environment (Ccme) water quality index and factor analysis

Abstract

Canadian Council of Ministries of the Environment Water Quality Index (CCME WQI) was used to determine Al-Shamiyah River water quality and its suitability for aquatic life. To calculate CCME WQI, a set of sixteen water quality parameters were evaluated: water temperature (W.T), turbidity (Tur), total dissolved solids (TDS), pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), the biological oxygen demand (BOD5), chlorides (Cl), nitrite (NO2), reactive nitrate (NO3), reactive phosphate (PO4), and dissolved heavy metals (cadmium, copper, chromium, zinc, manganese, lead). In addition, water samples were collected monthly from four sites along Al-Shamiyah River during the period from March 2013 to February 2014. According to CCME WQI analysis, the water quality of Al-Shamiyah ranged from 70.1 to 84.47 at the studied sites, which is considered “Fair–Good”,and was well above the “Marginal” class. The quality of the water is at a desirable level. The water quality seems unaffected by any pollutants that may have entered the river, and it remains at a quality necessary to sustain diverse and sensitive aquatic life. The results of PCA reflected a good look on the water quality monitoring and interpretation of Al-Shamiyah River water.