Selecting Rivers for Management Via Pollution Impact Evaluation of Tributaries of the Geumho River

Abstract

The water quality of the Geumho River is greatly affected by pollution such as domestic sewage and industrial wastewater from residential and industrial facilities. Therefore, an attempt was made to determine the effects of pollution from these sources by targeting the Geumhogang River basin and selecting tributaries of the Geumhogang River for study. The pollution status and contribution of the Geumho River tributaries were analyzed using concentration, delivery load sharing rate, index analysis via index conversion and summation by water quality parameter, and water quality index evaluation. The rivers chosen to be subject to priority management may differ depending on the evaluation method used, but overall the Dalseocheon and Namcheon stream were shown to have the greatest influence on the water quality of the Geumhogang River although Omokcheon Stream also required water quality management. One plan to properly manage the water quality of the Geumho River should focus on setting priorities for the tributaries. For tributaries with high pollutant concentrations, a method to set and manage different water quality factors for each stream individually should be considered.