Evaluating the Effects of Constructing Urban and Agricultural Wastewater Treatment Plants on Improvement of Quality and Contamination Trends of Dez River

Dez River, as the third largest river of Iran, plays a major role in the economic, social, and environmental life of the north part of Khuzestan Province. The urban, industrial, and agricultural wastewater along with the sugar cane project have confronted the river life with challenges, especially in critical sections. The population growth, the reduction in river discharge, and inter-basin water transfer projects have a direct effect on the escalation of river pollution. Considering the recent investments conducted by the government in order to construct treatment plants in the region, the aim of this study was to investigate the trend of qualitative changes and then to evaluate the effects of implementing municipal, agricultural, and industrial wastewater treatment plants on the quality and contamination of the river, especially in sensitive sections.