Development of Water Quality Indexes to Identify Pollutants in Vietnam’s Surface Water
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 137, Issue 4
Abstract
This study presents the first water quality indexes developed to evaluate surface water in Vietnam. The basic water quality index () can be effectively used to evaluate the spatial and temporal variations of surface water quality as well as to identify water pollutants. The overall water quality index () can provide additional information, particularly on toxic substances contributing to water pollution. The water quality indexes developed for this paper were applied to the national surface-water quality monitoring data taken from 1999 to 2007. Water pollutants were classified into three subcategories: organic and nutrients, particulates, and bacteria. Surface water in northern and central Vietnam was poor in quality and contained organic matter, nutrients, and bacteria. Water in the southern part was mainly polluted by bacteria. Trend analysis results reveal a deterioration in water quality in those provinces under pressure from rapid population growth, urbanization, and industrialization. Vietnam has established an official policy to ensure comprehensive nationwide water quality monitoring by 2020. The implementation of water quality indexes may provide the guiding data for sustainable water-resources management in Vietnam.
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Acknowledgments
The writers thank the Centre for Environmental Monitoring Data and Information, Vietnam Environmental Protection Agency, for providing the national surface water monitoring data. This research project was funded by Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (UNSPECIFIEDARCP2009-13NMY-STHIANNOPKAO) and International Environmental Research Center (IERC), Republic of Korea.
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© 2011 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Aug 25, 2009
Accepted: Aug 11, 2010
Published online: Aug 12, 2010
Published in print: Apr 1, 2011
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