ASSESSMENT OF WATER QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF A WATER TREATMENT PLANT: A CASE STUDY

Abstract

Rapid urbanization in Bangladesh places immense stress on the government to provide essential services, with safe drinking water and sanitation being paramount challenges. Population growth and industrialization have intensified the demand for safe drinking water, making water treatment a critical aspect in safeguarding public health and the environment. This study assesses the performance of the Mohara Water Treatment Plant (MWTP) operated by the Chattogram Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (CWASA), which serves as the primary drinking water source for Chattogram City, covering the period from December, 2020 to October, 2021. Performance evaluation of the MWTP focused on the removal efficiency of turbidity and six additional parameters: chloride, ammonia, TSS, COD, Total Coliform, and Fecal Coliform. The results demonstrated commendable performance, with removal efficiencies reaching 99.84 ± 0.03% for turbidity, 60.34 ± 12.51% for chloride, 100% for ammonia, 99.79 ± 0.05% for TSS, 97.11 ± 0.22% for COD, and 100% for both Total Coliform and Fecal Coliform. The study also compares treated water quality to raw water across 26 parameters, aligning with guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO), Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI), and Environment Conservation Rule-1997 (ECR-97). Notable findings include average Turbidity (0.38 ± 0.07 - 0.64 ± 0.01 NTU), TDS (33.33 ± 1.21 - 767.67 ± 783.25 mg/L), Conductivity (65.5 ± 1.52 – 1323.3 ± 1325.49 µS/cm), pH (6.86 ± 0.02 - 6.97 ± 0.05), Temperature (23.03 ± 0.52 - 27.4 ± 0.09°C) and various other parameters within acceptable limits. Remarkably, heavy metal levels (Arsenic, Lead, Cadmium, Mercury, Chromium) were undetectable, further validating the plant's efficiency in producing safe drinking water. In conclusion, the MWTP consistently demonstrates strong performance, effectively removing impurities and ensuring treated water meets stringent quality standards. This achievement is instrumental in addressing the challenges posed by rapid urbanization in Bangladesh while safeguarding public health and the environment.