ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Firstly, I would like to gratefully thank my advisor Msc Phi Thi Hai Ninh for her suggestion and instruction She was enthusiastic, encouraging and faithful with me throughout the period of the thesis and has been extremely helpful Besides, I’m thankful to Dr Nguyen Hai Hoa who helped me to Arc GISs Secondly, I am indebted to local people, who are living in the study area, provided good conditions and helpful information for me to my research In addition, I would like to thank Hanoi Natural Resources and Environment Department who provided information data about Nhue River When I was conducting thesis research, the Hanoi Monitoring and Analysis Environment Resource Center taught and helped me to carry out experiments in my data analysis process Thirdly, I am grateful to Vietnam Forestry University, Advanced Education Program, and Developed in collaboration with Colorado State University, USA for providing a professional learning environment and well educated teachers Finally, I would like to thank my parents and my friends that supported and helped me to complete this thesis TABLE OF CONTENTS I INTRODUCTION II OVERALL GOALS AND OBJECTIVES 2.1 Overall goals 2.2 Specific objectives III METHODS 3.1 Method of sampling and sample preservation When collecting water samples, it is importantly noted that: 3.2 Laboratory analyses 3.3 WQI calculation IV RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 4.1 Issue of Nhue River 4.2 The main sources of water pollution of the lower Nhue River in Hanoi 11 4.2.1 Domestic wastewater 11 4.2.2 Industrial wastewater 11 4.2.3 Village wastewater 12 4.2.4 Hospital waste 12 4.2.5 Solid waste 12 4.3 Evaluation of Nhue River water quality 13 4.3.1 Evaluation of river water quality based on National Technical Regulation on surface water quality: 14 4.3 The evaluation of surface water quality based on WQI 18 4.3.3 Distributing the partition map about Nhue River water quality based on WQI 21 4.4 Solutions for an efficient management and sustainable use of surface water resources: 22 V CONCLUSIONS 22 VI REFERENCES 23 APPENDICES 24 LIST OF TABLES Table 3.1: Geographical locations of sampling Table 3.2: Laboratory analysis Table 3.3: Specifying qi and BPi values Table 3.4: Specifying BPi and qi values based on %DOsaturaion Table 3.5: Specified BPi and qi values in accordance with pH parameter Table 3.6: Water quality index and status of water quality Table 4.1: The volume of wastewater discharged to lakes and rivers in Hanoi 10 Table 4.2 Analysis parameters of Nhue River 13 Table 4.3: Nhue River water quality and WQI 2014 18 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 2.1 Map of the lower section of Nhue River Figure 3.1 Map of sampling points within the monitored areas Figure 4.1: pH values at the monitoring points 14 Figure 4.2: DO at the monitoring points 15 Figure 4.3: TSS at the monitoring points 15 Figure 4.4: COD at the monitoring points 16 Figure 4.5: BOD₅ at the monitoring points 17 Figure 4.6: NO₃⁻ at the monitoring points 17 Figure 4.7: Concentration of PO₄³⁻ at the monitoring points 18 Figure 4.8: WQI at the monitoring points 20 Figure 4.9 Map of headwater Nhue River water quality partition 21 I INTRODUCTION Water resource is an extremely valuable asset, however not endless Although accounting for over 97% of the earth’s surface, water resources that can be used by humans and other living organisms comprise less than 3% Meanwhile, this valuable resource is facing serious issues in relation to human activities Conserving water resources is not only important to the current generation but also to future generation Nhue River is an important river in Nhue - Day basin system located in the right bank of Red river Stretching about 74km, the river starts from Lien Mac dam (Tu Liem, Hanoi), passing through a number of districts in Hanoi and Hanam provin as before joining the Red river system This river is important in terms of water supply to human activities such as drinking water, irrigation, drainage… However, confronts problems such as water depletion and pollution Nhue River has been strongly affected by socioeconomic development and other living activities Urbanization, rapid population growth, especially the massive wave of migration from rural areas to Hanoi have created stressors on water resources Industrial zones, handicraft villages, factories, minings… have discharged toxic substances to the river, causing water pollution and other environmental damages in the river Therefore, strengthening and improving the management efficiency and water conservation for Nhue River are critical and urgent missions to ensure the achievement of sustainable development goals In order to deal with this issue, the evaluation of the water quality and partition of the river based on water quality are important to manage the river and create water use planning Differences in water quality along the river are also the basis to control discharge points and determine appropriate and sustainable local water use preferences However, there is a gap between scientific research and management practices of the river The fundamental research on defining the state of rivers and proposing solutions to protect Nhue River has been insufficient Therefore, this project ‘’ EVALUATION OF WATER QUALITY IN THE HEADWATER OF NHUE RIVER’’ has been conducted with the purpose of generating a scientific basis to assess the quality of river water, partition and consequently, propose solutions for a sustainable management of the river II GOALS AND OBJECTIVES 2.1 Goals This project aims to assess the surface water quality of Nhue River and suggest solutions to efficiently manage and sustainably use surface water resources Figure 2.1 Map of the lower section of Nhue River (Source: Assoc Prof Dr Nguyen Manh Khai) 2.2 Specific objectives The project is: - To evaluate the water quality of Nhue River at monitored areas by collecting water samples at different locations such as: Lien Mac dam (Bac Tu Liem District), Cau Dien ( Nam Tu Liem district - To create water quality partition maps based on WQI - To propose suggestions to protect and improve water quality III METHODS 3.1 Method of sampling and sample preservation To evaluate water quality within the surveyed area, 16 samples of water were collected in different points from Lien Mac dam to the confluence with Mang Giang River (Table 3.1 and Figure 3.1) Table 3.1 Geographical locations of sampling Sampling Coordinates No Sampling location point Longitude Latitude NR1 580051 2332232 Lien Mac dam NR2 580245 2329157 Culvert on the way to Trai Ga NR3 579127 2326942 Cau Dien NR4 579284 2323052 Bridge on Thang Long Avenue NR5 581123 2319506 Trang Bridge NR6 584028 2317053 Ta Bridge - Thanh Oai NR7 583542 2315487 Sat Bridge - Ta Thanh Oai NR8 583945 2312354 At the confluence with Hoa Binh river NR9 585078 2310088 Sat Bidge - Khanh Ha 10 NR10 586419 2307886 Chiec Bridge – Hien Giang 11 NR11 588129 2305554 La Bridge - Tan Minh 12 NR12 587088 2301998 Tru Bridge - Lien Chau 13 NR13 588171 2296654 Loi Bridge - Van Trai 14 NR14 590581 2293555 Chuon Bridge – Tan Dan 15 NR15 592829 2288471 Bridge on the road 75 16 NR16 593398 2283869 At the confluence with Mang Giang river Figure 3.1 Map of sampling points within the monitored areas (Source: Assoc Prof Dr Nguyen Manh Khai) When collecting water samples, it is importantly noted that: - Sampling time: in the mild morning, from 7am - 10am; weather conditions: no rain, lightly windy, and light sunshine - Sampling equipment: Using plastic bottles of 500 ml volume, rope, tapes, markers and thermal isolation barrel The bottles used to take samples should be carefully and cleanly washed by water or acid alkali, then evenly rinsed with clean water and distilled water; and before getting samples, the bottles must be rinsed with river water - Taking samples at the depth of 20 - 30cm from the surface, with the distance of 1.5 - 2m from the riverside The bottles must be fully filled up with river water, immediately capped and put into the barrel - Samples preservation: The samples were stored in a thermal isolated barrel at a temperature of 4-8 °C Afterwards, the samples were transported directly to the laboratory within – hours to test water parameters 3.2 Laboratory analyses In order to evaluate the water quality of Nhue River, the indicators pH, TSS, DO, BOD₅, total phosphorus, and total nitrogen were both analyzed on site and in the laboratory Appropriate analyzing methods are mentioned in table 3.2 Table 3.2 Laboratory analysis No Indicators Unit Experimental methods Ph - DO mg/l SMEWW 4500-OC TSS mg/l TCVN 6625-2:2000 COD mg/l SMEWW 5220 D:1995 BOD₅ mg/l TCVN 6001-1:2008 Coliform MPN/100ml TCVN 6187-2:1996 PO₄³⁻ mg/l TCVN 6494-2:2000 NO₃⁻ mg/l TCVN 6494-2:2000 TCVN 6492:1999 3.3 WQI calculation The water quality of Nhue River is assessed not only based on QCVN 08:2008/BTNMT (the National technical regulation on surface water quality), but also based on the WQI (Water Quality Index) The WQI method is employed to evaluate environmental quality of the water surface in accordance with the composite indicators, applied to indicators (pH, DO, TSS, BOD₅, COD, NH₄⁺, PO₄³⁻, Coliforms, turbidity), which is promulgated by the Environmental General Department in Decision No 879/QDTCMT dated on July 1, 2011 The purposes of the method: + Generally assessing water quality in the river + Creating fundamental data for mapping partition of water quality + Providing information regarding water quality to the community, and increasing community awareness about the environment On the basis of data collected, the WQI of Nhue River is calculated as following steps: Step 1: Calculating WQI index: The WQI index (WQISI) is calculated based on the results of the indicators: BOD₅, COD, N-NH₄, P-PO₄, TSS, total coliform and turbidity, by the following formula: WQISI  qi  qi 1 BPi 1  C p   qi 1 BPi 1  BPi (1) Whereas: BPi: The minimum concentration of the parameter value, defined in Table 3.3 corresponding to the i BPi+1: The maximum concentration of the parameter value, defined in Table 3.3 corresponding to the i+1 qi+1: WQI value with i+1 on the table corresponding to BPi+1 value Cp: Parameter values for calculation Table 3.3 Specifying qi and BPi values I qi BPi value specified with each parameter 6 DO QCVN 08: 2008 1 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Figure 4.2 DO at the monitoring points The figure 4.2 indicates that DO levels in almost all monitoring locations are reaching QCVN 08: 2008 / BTNMT type B2 that only meet the requirements of traffic waterway and other purposes There are locations that DO concentration reach QCVN 08: 2008 / BTNMT type B1, used for irrigation purposes or other usage purposes that require water quality or other similar uses as type B2  TSS indicator: 200 180 160 140 120 TSS (mg/l) 100 80 60 40 20 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Figure 4.3 TSS at the monitoring points 15 The figure 4.3 illustrates that TSS in the most areas are not exceeding the maximum limit prescribed by QCVN 08: 2008 / BTNMT (B1) except for NR8 which is exceeding QCVN 08: 2008/BTNMT (type B2) This status of river water does not negatively affect the lives of aquatic organisms and human activities that use the water river for purposes such as agricultural irrigation  COD indicator: 300 250 200 COD (mg/l) 150 QCVN 08: 2008 100 50 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Figure 4.4 COD at the monitoring points The figure 4.4 shows that COD values at all monitoring locations exceed the maximum permissible limit prescribed by QCVN 08:2008/BTNMT, except for NR1 NR5 and NR8 have the highest pollution degree, where the concentration of COD is respectively more than 30mg/l (type B1) The water quality at these points is quite low  BOD₅ indicator: 16 120 100 80 BOD₅ (mg/l) 60 QCVN 08: 2008 40 20 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Figure 4.5 BOD₅ at the monitoring points The figure 4.5 presents that BOD₅ at NR1 approaches QCVN 08: 2008/BTNMT (type A2) and the remaining tests are very high, exceeding permitted standards many times, especially from NR3 to NR9 This status is a result of wastewater and garbage from living activities of local people  NO₃⁻ indicator: 12 10 NO₃⁻ (mg/l) QCVN 08: 2008 2 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Figure 4.6 NO₃⁻ at the monitoring points The figure 4.6 demonstrates that NO₃⁻ values at all monitoring locations not exceed the maximum concentration prescribed by QCVN 08: 2008/BTNMT (B1) Some points such as NR9, NR13 show eutrophication phenomenon, since the concentration of 17 NO₃ in the water is quite high It is caused by the use of chemical and organic fertilizers; inorganic fertilizers are not suitable  PO₄³⁻ indicator: 2.5 1.5 PO₄³⁻ (mg/l) 0.5 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Figure 4.7 Concentration of PO₄³⁻ at the monitoring points The figure 4.7 shows that PO₄³⁻ values in the river are relatively high All monitoring locations exceed the maximum limits allowed in all categories (A1-B2), only NR1 and NR2 reach QCVN 08: 2008/BTNMT This status of water might be caused by wastewater and impacts through water uses by humans and other living organisms in the river 4.3 The evaluation of surface water quality based on WQI From the formulas given in the 3.3, WQI (water quality index) at 16 locations along the Nhue River section that passes through Hanoi was calculated and the results are listed in the table 4.3 Table 4.3 Nhue River water quality and WQI 2014 Total Sampling Turbidity location (NTU) No NH₄⁺ Coliform WQI Evaluation (mg/l) (MPN/100ml) NR1 31 1600 0.72 18 48 Use for traffic waterway and similar purposes Use for traffic waterway and NR2 33 4600 7.34 28 similar purposes Use for traffic waterway and NR3 37 2400 25.3 34 similar purposes Use for traffic waterway and NR4 41 5900 21.4 37 similar purposes Polluted water, further treatment NR5 39 100000 23.1 methods required Polluted water, further treatment NR6 48 5000 23.3 11 methods required Polluted water, further treatment NR7 55 3100 24.4 13 methods required Polluted water, further treatment NR8 43 84000 25.3 methods required Use for traffic waterway and NR9 47 2400 21.9 36 similar purposes Use for traffic waterway and 10 NR10 38 1900 16.8 37 similar purposes Use for traffic waterway and 11 NR11 33 1600 23.2 39 similar purposes Use for traffic waterway and 12 NR12 36 2700 19.1 36 similar purposes Use for traffic waterway and 13 NR13 42 3200 17.3 41 similar purposes 19 Use for traffic waterway and 14 NR14 39 2800 6.4 39 similar purposes Use for traffic waterway and 15 NR15 37 2200 7.1 37 similar purposes Use for traffic waterway and 16 NR16 41 3600 7.5 36 similar purposes WQI 60 50 40 30 WQI 20 10 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Figure 4.8 WQI at the monitoring points The figure 4.8 indicates the water quality index (WQI) and water use purposes WQI ranges from 25 to 50, meaning that the water of river can be properly used for waterway transportation and other similar purposes WQI at Trang Bridge and the confluence with Hoa Binh are at the lowest level, demonstrating that the river water is at its highest pollution level Then there are Ta Bridge (Thanh Oai) and Sat Bridge Ta Thanh Oai In Lien Mac dam: when the sewer is opened, the water is not polluted or less polluted, water quality is as good as Red River water quality; however, when the drain is closed, pollution level becomes relatively higher, reducing the amount of dissolved oxygen and 20 other factors in the water due to diffusion Generally, WQI in Lien mac dam nearly amounts to 50, which means less pollution 4.3.3 Distributing the partition map about Nhue River water quality based on WQI Using Arc GISs software and GIS tool (Determine sampling points coordinate) with WQI result, we found the map is as follows: Figure 4.9 Map of headwater Nhue River water quality partition The figure 4.9 shows the pollution level at different areas expressed by the colors NR5, NR6, NR7, NR8 are indicated by red color showing the overpolluted areas (Alarming level) At these points, water quality is very low and requires further treatment 21 methods The other points are indicated by orange color showing the polluted areas; water quality at these points is relative low, and can only be used for traffic waterway and similar purposes All 16 points are not available for the use as drinking water or living purpose The map helps people to easily figure out about the pollution status Hence, people have the responsibility to manage and use suitable water resources for each area 4.4 Solutions for an efficient management and sustainable use of surface water resources: Based on the evaluation of the current status of Nhue River water and identified sources of pollution, the following solutions have been suggested: - Promulgating the policies and regulations on saving and effectively using water resources - Collecting and treating solid waste, increasing reuse and recycling activities and eliminating discharging solid wastes to the river - Constructing water supply systems, improving water drainage systems - Planning and constructing wastewater treatment systems for different discharge points - Setting up monitoring systems focusing on highly polluted points such as Thanh Liet dam, Yen So pumping station and Lien Mac dam - Improving the irrigational systems, dams, and pumping stations - Educating and raising awareness and responsibility of local communities, local authorities, unions, businesses, organizations and individuals in protecting the river V CONCLUSIONS The outcomes of the research are as follows:  Nhue River plays an important role in terms of providing irrigation water and receiving wastewater from Hanoi 22  According to the analysis results, all surveyed points are polluted In particular, water parameter such as DO, BOD₅, COD and coliform exceed the permitted standards several times The pollution of the river is mainly caused by wastewater from industrial activities, traditional villages, hospitals and households  Distributing the map about partition of Nhue River water quality to develop methods for treating and protecting water resource  In order to overcome these issues, it is necessary to create and apply an efficient management and sustainable use of surface water resources In specific, setting up monitoring systems focusing on polluted points such as Thanh Liet dam, Yen So pumping station, and Lien Mac dam; raising people's awareness about the living environment; designing and constructing wastewater treatment systems on standards before discharging into the river VI REFERENCES Carpenter, S.R, Caraco, N.F., Correll, D.L., Howarth, R.W., Sharpley, A.N., Smith, V.H., 1998 Nonpoint pollution of surface waters with phosphorus and nitrogen, The Ecological Society of America,8 (3), 559-568 Environmental General Department, 2011, guidance calculate the water quality index (WQI) Decision No 879/QD- TCMT on 1/7/2011 Hanoi Environmental Protect Law (2005) Judicial publisher Hanoi, page 235 – 265 Nguyễn Mạnh Khải, Nguyễn Thị Huyền Trang, Nguyễn Thùy Linh, Chu Anh Đào, Phạm Mạnh Cổn, Nguyễn Thị Nga (2012), ‘’Water Quality Research Nhue Hanoi area’’, VNU Journal of Science, Nature Science and technology episode 28, No 4S 23 Nguyen Duc Quang (2003), Application of Surface water quality modeling of the Ping river, Thailan, Master of Science in environmental Scienc Steven C Chapra (1997), Surface water – quality modeling Tran Van Nhan and Nguyen Thi Nga, (2006), ‘’Wastewater treatment technologies’’, Technical and Scientific Water Resources Law (2008) Judicial publisher, Hanoi, page 369 – 375 APPENDICES Some pictures of this study: 24 Lien Mac dam (start point of Nhue River in Drain discharges wastewater at Noi bridge Hanoi) (Cau Dien – Bac Tu Liem) Dam river discharge point, on the right of Tay Mo discharge point, on the right of Nhue bank Nhue bank La Khe river discharge point, on the right of Discharge point of Ganh drain, on the left of Nhue bank Nhue bank 25 Discharge drain at Cau Dien, on the left of Phu Do discharge drain, on the left of Nhue Nhue bank bank Annex 01 The national technical regulation on surface water quality Limit value No Parameter Unit A B A1 A2 B1 B2 – 8.5 – 8.5 5.5 – 5.5 – pH DO mg/l ≥6 ≥5 ≥4 ≥2 TSS mg/l 20 30 50 100 COD mg/l 10 15 30 50 BOD₅ mg/l 15 25 NH₄⁺ mg/l 0.1 0.2 0.5 NO₃⁻ mg/l 10 15 PO₄³⁻ mg/l 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.5 2500 5000 7500 10000s MPN/1 Coliform 00ml 10 Clorua (Cl⁻) mg/l 250 400 600 11 Florua (F⁻) mg/l 1.5 1.5 26 12 NO₂⁻ mg/l 0.01 0.02 0.04 0.05 13 CN⁻ mg/l 0.005 0.01 0.02 0.02 14 As mg/l 0.01 0.02 0.05 0.1 15 Cd mg/l 0.005 0.005 0.01 0.01 16 Pb mg/l 0.02 0.02 0.05 0.05 17 Cr³⁺ mg/l 0.05 0.1 0.5 18 Cr6⁺ mg/l 0.01 0.02 0.04 0.05 19 Cu mg/l 0.1 0.2 0.5 20 Zn mg/l 0.5 1.5 21 Ni mg/l 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 22 Fe mg/l 0.5 1.5 23 Hg mg/l 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.002 mg/l 0.1 0.2 0.4 0.5 Surface activity 24 substance 25 Total oil, grease mg/l 0.01 0.02 0.1 0.3 26 Phenol mg/l 0.005 0.005 0.01 0.02 0.002 0.004 0.008 0.01 0.01 0.012 0.014 0.02 0.05 0.1 0.13 0.015 0.001 0.002 0.004 0.005 0.005 0.01 0.02 0.02 0.3 0.35 0.38 0.4 0.01 0.02 0.02 0.03 0.01 0.02 0.02 0.05 Protect botany chemical µg Clo organic Aldrin+Dieldrin µg Endrin µg 27 BHC µg DDT Endosunfan µg (Thiodan) Lindan µg Chlordane µg Heptachlor 27 µg Protect botany chemical photpho organic 28 µg Paration 0.1 0.2 0.4 0.5 0.1 0.32 0.32 0.4 100 200 450 500 80 100 160 200 900 1200 1800 2000 µg Malation Extaminate grass chemical 29 2.4D µg 2.4.5T µg Paraquat 30 Total α radiation Bq/l 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 31 Total β radiation Bq/l 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 20 50 100 200 MPN/1 32 E Coli 00ml Note: The classification of surface water to assess and control the quality of water for different water using purposes: A1 – Good condition to use supply water for living purpose and similar purposes such as type A2, B1, B2 A2 - Using supply water for living purposes, however, applying suitable treatment technology; conservation of aquatic plants or similar using purpose as B1, B2 28 B1 – Using for irrigation purpose or other uses require similar water quality purposes or uses as type B2 B2 - Traffic waterway and other purposes requirement of low quality water 29 ... practices of the river The fundamental research on defining the state of rivers and proposing solutions to protect Nhue River has been insufficient Therefore, this project ‘’ EVALUATION OF WATER QUALITY. .. stormwater and waste water is diluted by rainfall; however, water quality of the river is still not up to standard 4.2 The main sources of water pollution of the lower Nhue River in Hanoi The. .. (accounting for nearly 59% of the villages in the Northern area), including 244 traditional villages (accounting for over 50% of the total number of villages along the Nhue River) Nhue River area