14-Water Quality and Water Quality Modelling.

Abstract

Water quality in flowing waters, is closely linked to the total water quality in the basin and hence it becomes imperative that water quality assessment and river basin planning are closely related. In this paper, a brief resume of various water quality parameters has been discussed to bring out the crucial physical, chemical and biological parameters. This follows by a detailed account of various water quality models, their suitability and a brief procedure for building the water quality model. The paper also discusses the data requirements, keeping in view the Indian conditions and gives a step by step procedure for evolving simple, useful models, for the use of field engineers. It has been stressed that it is not necessary to include all concievable parameters in the model but it would be suffice to include important parameters like dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity, conductivity, temperature, ORP, solar radiation intensity and chloride. It has been brought out that time sequence of data is also important.