Assessing surface water quality of the Cai stream in Tan Uyen town – Binh Duong province till 2020

Abstract

The Cai stream is a wastewater receiving stream from industrial zones in Tan Uyen town (Binh Duong province), which is facing to pollution risks, requiring appropriate management measures, especially in the context of socio-economic development. Accordingly, the study aimed to assess the current status and to forecast its water quality until 2020. By sampling, analysis, and water quality index (WQI), the results show that water quality in dry season of 2017 ranged from poor to medium level (WQI 23-79) and tended to increase towards the downstream. Some streams being concerns in terms of water quality were the Cho stream (WQI 18 - 31), the Cai stream flowing through VSIP II (WQI 26 - 35), the Tre stream flowing through waste water treatment plants of VSIP II (WQI = 40)... It could be explained by high turbidity, TSS and NH4-N concentrations. Water quality in 2020 was simulated by the Mike 11 model and demonstrated on maps using GIS. Simulation results show an increase in COD, BOD, TSS, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus concentrations in relation to local socio-economic development plans, especially COD and TSS (the highest concentrations would be 48 mg/L and 205 mg/L, respectively). In some areas, there is a clear increase in pollution levels, such as the Tre stream, the confluence of the Tre and the Cai streams, downstream of the Cai stream, the Vinh Lai stream, and the Cho stream. Research results could be an important basis for environmental management in general, water quality management in particular, contributing to sustainable development goals of the local.