Impact of solid waste on water quality of Bishnumati River and surrounding areas in Kathmandu, Nepal

*Dinesh C. Devkota

Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University,

255 Shimo - Okubo, Sakura-ku, Saitama City, Saitama ken 338 -8570, Japan

Kunio Watanabe

 Geosphere Research Institute, Saitama University,

255 Shimo - Okubo, Sakura-ku, Saitama ken 338 -8570, Japan

(*Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

Jour. Nep. Geol. Soc., Vol. 31, 2005, 19-24

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ABSTRACT

Haphazard dumping of solid waste on the banks of the Bishnumati River in the Kathmandu valley has severely deteriorated the surface and subsurface water quality. The river water as well as shallow wells in the vicinity exhibited very high conductivity as well as high nitrate, nitrite, and COD concentrations. Though the water in the shallow wells is not potable, it is being used by the inhabitants. Improper waste management has caused environmental pollution, increased public health hazard, and adversely impacted on urban economy.