Assessment of Water Quality and Sediment Contamination in Mehran University Water Treatment Plant from Kalri Baghar (Kb) Feeder River Indus, Sindh, Pakistan

The current article discusses the assessment and monitoring of the water and sediments of the Mehran University water treatment plant with exposure to chemical parameters and heavy metals. Water samples were collected from different sources such as raw water sources for Mehran, i.e., KB Feeder, Mehran water treatment plant, and Mehran University distribution system. This study sought to determine the concentration levels of chloride, alkalinity, hardness, TDS, fluoride, sulfate, and nitrate. Water samples were labeled with codes: S1, S2, S3, S4, and S5 for KB Feeder/Intake, Sedimentation tank outlet, Storage tank at a treatment plant, Mehran distribution tank, and IWRM Department, respectively. Titration methods determine the quantitative measure of chloride, alkalinity, and hardness. In comparison, total dissolved substances (TDS.) were determined with YSI. Probe and fluoride, sulfate, nitrate by UV-visible spectroscopy. The AAS technique used to analyzed iron, copper, lead, cadmium, and zinc metals in sediment samples. The observed water quality chemical parameters data were compared with reference values of WHO guidelines and found under WHO guidelines. The contamination and pollution factors of the sediment samples were considerable. This study reflects the water quality in the University premises with different departments, administration, and hostels.