Civic Pollution and Its Effect on Water Quality of River Toi at District Kohat, NWFP

• Main Authors: Zubair Anwar, Khalid Usman Khattak, Mazhar Islam, Rizwan Ullah Khan, Jabar Zaman Khan Khattak
• Format: Publication
• Language: English
• Published: Maxwell Science Publication 2012
• Subjects: Anthropogenic; fauna; heavy metals; sediments

The present study was conducted to evaluate the physico-chemical parameters as well as level of pollutants (Such as heavy metals and organic wastes) in River Toi originates from Hangu and flow through Kohat city. For this purpose a six months study was conducted from June to November 2008 on pre-selected three sampling sites i.e. upstream (Site-1), main point where city sewage inter the river (Site-2) and downstream (Site-3). The physico-chemical parameters such as alkalinity, hardness, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, pH and temperature were monitored. While heavy metals analysis of lead, cadmium, zinc, arsenic, copper and nickel were conducted. The results revealed that the increased level of heavy metals and physicochemical parameters was recorded at all the sites. The means of physico-chemical parameters recorded during the study at Site I, II and III are alkalinity (357.5, 344.1 and 363.3 mg/L), hardness (315.8, 307.5 and 312 mg/L), TDS (497.5, 445 and 470 mg/L) and electrical conductivity (1230.6, 1119 and 1172.8 :s/cm), DO (2.54, 2.75 and 2.64 mg/mL), temperature (18.2, 18.2 and 18.3ºC) and pH (8.43, 8.31 and 8.35), respectively. The means of different heavy metals recorded during the study at Site I, II and III are lead (0.33, 0.40 and 0.55 mg/L), zinc (0.34, 0.60 and 0.53 mg/L), cadmium (0.03, 0.08 and 0.13 mg/L), arsenic (0.29, 0.63 and 0.51 mg/L), copper (0.04, 0.04 and 0.03 mg/L) and nickel (0.00, 0.01 and 0.01 mg/L), respectively. The results of the heavy metals and water quality analysis revealed that the condition of water is unsuitable for aquatic life and human consumption due to addition of civic and industrial pollution. This issue needed to be resolved immediately with both public and private partnership.