Quantitative and Qualitative Assessment of Karoon River Water Using NSFWQI Index and AHP Method

Rivers are discussed as sources of water supply for various uses. Thus، monitoring the quality of these resources due to the recent drought and urban and rural development is one of the important tasks in the field of environmental management. Karoon River has very importance in preparing drinking water، maintaining the industrial survival of Khuzestan province and agricultural water supply. Thus، management and control of water quality this resource has particular significance. In the present study، the Karoon water quality has been evaluated by available NSF water quality index. Subsequently، the nine present NSF parameters’ weights have been changed and modified using the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) method as well as experts’ opinions in the field in a way to satisfy local conditions. In the newly developed WQI، more weights are given to relation with these parameters it can be said that the factors like dissolved oxygen (Do)، fecal coliform (F. c) and biological oxygen demand (BOD) when compared with NSF-WQI. The method used in this study is deserving for its merits. Because it provides managers with the capability that can have the better and more accurate judgments about the final weights of the parameters. Using the present method، one can consider all purposes and objectives defined in water quality projects by taking into account experts’ opinions regarding the essential costs and economical، social and technical remarks. In this respect، the sensitivity of analyses can be changed and modified in relation to the spatial features. In other words، applying AHP method، confines the NSF utilization to a specific water quality project with the particular conditions.