River water quality assessment in East Java, Indonesia

Abstract

This study aims to assess the water quality and determine the pollution index of the Bedadung River in the urban-area segment of Jember Regency, East Java. The sampling in the urban segment of Jember was conducted in May 2019 at five different locations, namely Slamet Riyadi Street, Mastrip Street, Bengawan Solo Street, Sumatra Street, and Imam Bonjol Street. The pollution index assessment refers to the Decree of the State Minister for the Environment of Indonesia Republic number 115 of 2003. The analysis showed that the parameters of TDS, TSS, pH, COD, BOD, NH3-N, Co, Cd, Cu, Zn, H2S, Cl, SO4, oil and fats, MBAS, NO2-N, Fe, Pb, F, Cl2, NO3-N, phenol, and As did not exceed the quality standards. The parameters PO4, CN, total coliform, and faecal coliform were found to breach the quality standards at the 5 water sampling points. Total coliform and faecal coliform were the dominant pollutants in this segment. Therefore, the parameters of PO4, total coliform, and faecal coliform were considered as indicators of pollution arising from domestic and agricultural activities. The pollution index values for the five sampling locations ranged from 7.21 to 8.23. These scores indicate that the Bedadung River section that passes through the urban segment in Jember is classified as being in the moderately polluted category. This preliminary rapid assessment is therefore one of the considerations for the management of water quality in the Bedadung River section that passes through the urban area of Jember.