Application of QUAL2Kw for Water Quality Modeling in the Cibarani Irrigation Channel, Bandung City, Indonesia

Abstract

The Cikapundung River, a vital water source for Bandung City, has faced substantial water pollution in recent decades, primarily due to rapid population growth. A significant contributor to this pollution has been the Cibarani Irrigation Channel, situated within the heart of Bandung City. This channel has transformed into a conduit for domestic sewage, receiving excess rainwater and household wastewater from the surrounding residential areas. Remarkably, despite the pronounced contamination, the local community continues to utilize this water source for activities such as fish farming and washing. This study aims to evaluate the quality of the Cibarani irrigation channel and determine the pollutant load the channel receives from each domestic waste inlet. The results indicate that the Cibarani irrigation channel’s water quality, based on DO, NH3-N, and TP concentrations, does not meet the Class II raw water quality standard. The concentrations of DO and TP from domestic wastewater are 2 mg/L and 3 mg/L, respectively, while the NH3-N concentration, ranging from 10-40 mg/L, surpasses the permissible limit of domestic wastewater quality standards. It was also discovered that the downstream BOD concentration significantly exceeds the allowable limit despite the wastewater concentration not exceeding the standard limit.