Water quality assessment for Elmali stream and Karaçomak stream using the comprehensive pollution index (CPI) in Karaçomak watershed, Kastamonu, Turkey

Abstract

The Karaçomak and Elmali streams are the main sources of water that feed the Karaçomak Dam. This study analyses these streams utilising pollution indices such as the single-factor method and comprehensive pollution index (CPI) based on physiochemical parameters (pH, EC, T, turbidity, NH4-N, NO3-N, NO2-N, PO4-P, DO, BOD, COD) during the period from September 2015 to July 2016. The singlefactor pollution index and the CPI show that the main pollutants during this period were pH, BOD5 and turbidity. On the other hand, the pollution grades of both streams were level III, showing slight pollution of the Elmali and the Karaçomak streams, which had CPI values of 0.88 and 0.60, respectively. The pollution of the Elmali stream was more serious than that in the Karaçomak stream. This integrated evaluation of water quality should be valuable for pollution-control strategies and watershed management of the Karaçomak watershed.