Status of Water Quality Parameters along Haraz River

Water samples have been collected from key parts of Haraz River along different points and analyzed for various water quality parameters during winter and spring season. Effects of industrial wastes, municipal sewage, fish farming and agricultural runoff on river water quality have been investigated. The survey was conducted on along the Haraz River (185 km) from near its headwaters at the Polour, foot of Mount Damavand toward the Caspian Sea in Sorkhrood area. It lies between longitude of 35°522 and 45°52 and latitude of 35°452 and 36°152 . In this study eight stations were selected, depending on the quality of surface water and effluent entering points from industrial and commercial areas and population density in coastal rivers. 120 samples were taken from these stations and analyzed. Analysis performed as standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. This study involves determination of physical, biological and chemical parameters of surface water at different points. The river was found to be highly turbid in the middle and lower parts of the river. But BOD and fecal coliform concentration was found higher in the dry season. The minimum and maximum values of parameters were Conductivity 400 -733.33 µs, DO 8.48 and 12.8 mg/L in stations 5 and 6 respectively, BOD5 1.31 and 3.54 mg/L, COD 8 and 38.67 mg/L, total nitrogen 2.124 and 3.210 mg/L. The results analyzed statistically and used for this river data bank and recommendations for the water authorities.