Assessment of Physico-Chemical Parameters of Bagmati River, Kathmandu, Nepal

The discharge of sewage into the Bagmati River and open dumping of waste along the banks is clearly visible and has become a serious problem because polluted water is responsible for mortalities of organisms when it becomes a vehicle for transmission of diseases. The present study was carried out for the assessment of physico-chemical parameters of Bagmati river water. Total number of 6 sites were selected (B1-B6) from Chovar to Baghdwar. From each site, 10 samples were taken for analysis except for B6 from where 5 samples were taken. The major work of study was physico-chemical analysis i.e., pH, temperature, total dissolved solid, chloride, dissolved oxygen, and biochemical oxygen demand. Most of the physico-chemical parameters at all sites except B5 and B6 were found to be beyond the natural limits. Maximum average value of total dissolved solid, chloride, dissolved oxygen and biochemical oxygen demand was 684.1 ppm, 89.9 mg/l, 10.38mg/l, and 160.7 mg/l respectively. This study highlights the scenario of Bagmati River from Baghdwar to Chovar which showed that the river is extremely polluted when it enters into the urban area i.e., mainly from Thapathali to Sundarighat.