CHAPTER: I

1.1 Introduction

Water is well thought-out as a most imperative component to our earth surface. It is essential for
all living beings, and man is no exemption. In today's world, river is considered one of the major
sources for surface water and has significant contribution to carry water and nutrients to areas
across the world. It plays a major role in water cycle, acting as a drainage channels for surface
water. Near about 40% of the world's food supply is grown under irrigation, and a wide variety
of industrial processes depends on water (BCAS, 2000). Oki and Kanae (2006) have introduced
river is now an important source of safe water which globally serves about 2,000 km3
freshwater. It is therefore a growing civilization with lots of human activities is seen to the banks
of rivers. However, rising trend of civilization has put a great threat to the river water quality
particularly in developing countries. It is noted that increasing scenario of population density,
land development along river basin, urbanization and industrialization have been subjected for
water pollution and environmental deterioration to the rivers water (Sumok, 2001). One of the
reasons behind the deterioration of river water quality is demonstrated that most of the rivers are
considered as the end point of urban effluent discharges without any prior treatment. It was also
found that an extent of the industrial, agricultural and other anthropogenic activities in the basin
and reduced river discharges has introduced foremost problem for safe water (Sing et al., 2004).

Nepal is among the richest in terms of water resource availability and it is one of the most
important natural resource of the country. Water resources are abundant throughout the country
in the form of snow covers, rivers, springs, lakes, and groundwater. The total renewable water
resource of the country is estimated to be 237 km3/year (225 km3/year for surface sources and 12
km3/year for groundwater sources) and per capita water availability for 2001 was 9600
m3/capita/year. (http://www.wepa-db.net/policies/state/nepal/state.htm)

Whole Nepal is a part of the Ganga Basin and it is estimated that approximately 70% of dry
season flow and 40% of annual flow of the Ganga River comes through Nepal. It is estimated
that there are altogether 6,000 rivers (including rivulets and tributaries) in Nepal and drainage
density is about 0.3 km/km2. The cumulative length of rivers is 45,000 km. There are 1000 rivers
longer than 10 km and about 24 of them are more than 100 km. Rivers in Nepal can be classified
into three broad groups on the basis of their origin. (http://www.wepa-
db.net/policies/state/nepal/state.htm ). Addressing a complex set of reasons that is, drinking
water, irrigation, and recreation; river is considered a major sources of water supply in Nepal.
Nepal’s rivers can be broadly divided into three categories in accordance with their origins. The
first category comprise the three main river systems of the country – the Koshi, Gandaki and
Karnali river systems, all originating from the glaciers and snow- fed lakes. Rivers like the
Mechi, Mahakali, Bagmati, Kamala, Rapti, Kamala, etc., which have their origin in the
Mahabharat range, constitute the rivers of the second category. Stream and rivulets originating
mostly from the Chure hills make up third category; these rivers relay on monsoon rains and are
otherwise dry.

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 1.2 Roshi Khola System

Of the part of Koshi river system, Roshi is one of the tributaries in Kavrepalanchowk that flows
through the source point, Godavari which goes on to joint with Sunkoshi River, as one of the part
of Koshi which finally merges into the Ganges. It covers eastern parts of Kavre and has
enormous potential. This river can be utilized for irrigation purpose, drinking water purpose,
recreational and hydropower plant generation. 5 power plants with a total capacity of 18.5MW
have got a survey licence to generate electricity from this river. Out of these, 2.4 MW Panauti
power plants are already running. Others will come in near future. This river originates from mid
hilly region and joins Sunkoshi River in mid hilly region. Total head is about 600m with river
water discharge approx. 15.5 m3/s. (source DoED). The catchment area of Roshi khola is 87 km2
and has 20 different tributaries that join at 20 different junctions.

1.3 Water Quality Index (WQI)

Water Quality Index is a numerical expression of the state of water quality condition. The
National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) created and designated the Water Quality Index (WQI) to
Compare water qualities of different rivers. The WQI is one of the most widely used of all
existing water quality indices. It was developed in 1970, and can be used to measure water
quality changes in a particular river reach over time, compare water quality of different rivers.
The WQI uses a scale from 0 to 100 to rate the quality of the water, with 100 being the highest
possible score.

1.4 Rational of the study

Conservation and assessment of river water quality particularly in urban areas of Nepal is a
fundamental issue, since the river water is a principal resource of development activities such as
irrigation, fishery, hydroelectricity, and recreation, as well as for drinking, bathing and washing
for the people. Since the water quality assessment programs in Nepal have concerned basically
with the public health issues, conservation of river water quality has received little attention.

Though Nepal is the least urbanized nation (about 14 percent) in the world, urbanization is rapid
in the recent years. Large cities like Kathmandu and Lalitpur of the Kathmandu Valley and
others are expanding rapidly due to rapid population growth and influx of migrants (Pradhan
2004). One major consequence of this rapid urbanization is the pollution of river water due to
discharge of contaminated domestic sewerage and industrial effluents. As a result, not only the
river ecosystem has been degraded, displacing or diminishing its aquatic organisms, but also the
health condition of general people and overall urban environment quality have been affected.

Since the last few years, the water quality of the Roshi Khola and its tributaries has been
degraded due to untreated sewage and industrial effluents and detail study on water quality of
the khola has no been conducted.Therefore, this study is an attempt to find the degree of water
pollution mathematically which is not found yet and also to generate information on water
quality of Roshi Khola.

2
 CHAPTER: II

2.1 Objectives of the study

The general objective of the study is to assess the Water Quality Index of Roshi Khola inside
Panauti municipality.
The specific objectives of the study are:
 To compare the seasonal variation of water quality of Roshi Khola.
 To findout the potential source of river water pollution and purpose the mitigation
measures.

2.2 Scope of the study

The study will cover Roshi Khola inside the Panauti municipality boundary and the result will
reflect for two seasons only (dry and wet season). The generalization of total water quality of the
river will be out of scope because the study donot cover the water sample from source to tail but
only concentrated within the area of Panauti municipality.

2.3 Limitation of the study

 Water Quality Index will be calculated by using only 9 variables (Dissolve oxygen, Fecal
coliform, pH, Biological Oxygen Demand, Temperature, Total phosphate, Nitrate,
Turbidity, Total Solids).
 The general water quality assessment will be assessed on the basis of observed data for
the study period.

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 CHAPTER: III

3.1 Study Area

The study area lies in Panauti munacipality. The area is situated 32 Km far from Kathmadu in the
south eastern part of Kavrepalanchowk district. The municipality is surrounded by Sharda Batase
VDC & Dhulikhel municipality in the east, Kushadevi& Mahendrajyoti VDC in the west,
Ugratara Janjal VDC & Banepa municipality in the north and Kalati Bhumidanda, Chalal
Ganesthan & Balthali VDC in the south. and is situated between 50o29'- 85o33' eastern
longitudes and 70o33'-27o37' northern latitudes.The municipality is situated at the height of
1340m-1825m above the sea level. The area of municipality is 33.78 square kilometers from
which forest cover 41.58%, agricultural land cover 47.52%, settlement cover 8.54%, water cover
0.68% and others 1.68%(basin, grassland). Sandy, loamy and red mud types of soil is found in
the area. Average rainfall in the area is 1200mm with temperate climate. The temperature ranges
from 0o- 32oC. (Panauti municipality, 2014)

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3.2 Study Plan
The entire study program will be based on the following study protocol, which will be approved
by supervisor and the focus will be given to complete the stipulated design and time frame to
maintain the quality of work. Besides, the interview
will be carried to some people about the water use, Literature Review
water quality, fertilizers and pesticides use, etc.
The study is based on primary data but some
secondary data will be collected from all the
materials concerning to the water quality for Site Identification
the assessment purpose.

Field visit, Primary& Secondary Data Collection

Sampling and Analysis

Result & Report Preparation

Draft Report Preparation

Final Report Preparation

Dissemination

3.3 Methodology applied

About 5 sampling sites will be identified along the Roshi Khola stretch inside the Panauti
municipality. The sampling will be carried out within 10m mixing distance of adjoining rivulets
into the Roshi Khola.The trend of water quality will be expressed in terms os Water Quality
Index (NSF, 1970) on the basis of physical, chemical and biological test result as depicted. SOP
will be followed for sampling and analysis.

5
The result will be calculated through software NSF-WQI, Brain Oram, PG, http://www.water
research.net/ Water Quality Index/ WQI.htm 01/31/2012 16:10:40 (modified on 03/12/2014, 10:
05:12). Besides the result of the test result will be transferred to a weighting curve chart where
their numerical values are multiplied by a weighting factor ant then added to get the overall
water quality index for each sites (Verification Mark & Mitchell, 1996).

The formula applied for the calculation of WQI is,

WQI = ∑ n i=1 Wi × Qi
Where,
WQI= Water Quality Index
Qi= values of ‘i’ parameter that is acquired according to relevant diagrams.
Wi= Weight ratio of ‘i’ parameter
n= Number of water quality parameters.

3.4 Variables:
There are nine parameters to be tested for WQI are temperature, pH, turbidity, nitrate,Total
phosphate, Biological Oxygen Demand, Dissolved Oxygen,Total Solids and fecal coliform.
Additional parameters required for assessment of water quality of river are Total hardness,
Calcium, Alkalinity. The well known standard methods will be adopted during the analysis of the
samples. Quality control measures will be duly considered during sampling as well as analysis.

3.5 Expression of Result:

The WQI in each site will be categorised as excellent, good, medium, bad and very bad as
specified by the mannual.

WQI Ranges Remarks

90-100 Excellent
70-90 Good
50-70 Medium
25-50 Bad
0-25 Very Bad
The overall river water pollution will be then depicted on the basis of observed WQI values.

6
 CHAPTER - IV

4.1 Expected Outcomes

 Water Quality Index of Roshi Khola inside the Panauti municipality will be assessed.
 Seasonal variation on water quality of Roshi Khola will be compared.
 The potential source of water pollution will be identified and will find out the purpose of
mitigation measure.

4.2 Work Plans

Activities Time Frame

Jan Feb Mar April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb

Literature
review
Site
Identification
Field Visit &
Data
collection
Sampling &
Analysis
Draft Report
Preparation
Correction &
Revision of
Draft
Final Report
Preparation
Dissemination

4.3 Financial Budget

Title Expenses (Rs)
Transportation 5,000
Laboratory charge 27,000
Stationary 6,000
Field visit 3,000
Miscellaneous 4,000
Total 45,000

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References

BCAS (2000): Pollution study, Management of Aquatic Ecosystem through Community

Husbandry (MACH), Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Mitchell, Mark K and William B Stapp (1996): Field Manual for Water Quality Monitoring.
Thomson-Shore, Inc, Dexter, Michigan pp.272

Oki T, Kanae S (1996): Global hydrological cycles and world water resources. Science
313(5790): 1068-1072.

Panauti municipality (2014): Annual Budget & Program for Fiscal Year 2071/2072. Pp. 1-2

Sumok P (2001): River water quality monitoring; Sharing Sarawak experience. In proceeding of
6th SITE Research Seminar pp. 1-4.

http://www.wepa-db.net/policies/state/nepal/state.htm

http://www.water research.net/Water Quality Index/WQI.htm 01/31/2012 16:10:40 (modified on

03/12/2014, 10:05:)