Biratnagar–Dharan corridor is one of the ancient industrial areas. This corridor has 390 industries (216 in Morang and 174 in Sunsari) of which 59 have been identified as major polluting industries. The industrial effluent is discharged to the water bodies untreated and is degrading the quality of river water. The industrial discharge and the waste of municipality are deteriorating the river in this corridor. About 400 industries in this corridor as jute, ghee, leather and tanning, iron and steel, distillery, textile and chemicals are some of the main industrial sector. Due to surface water pollution, some examples of potential adverse effects are pollution of groundwater, heavy metal contamination, toxicity, unpleasant odor, water born disease, social conflict etc. Thus the main objective of this study is to conduct monitoring of the quality parameters of water bodies of Biratnagar-Dharan Industrial Corridor so as to demonstrate the existing water pollution pattern.

The research study was undertaken in Judi River , which lies in Katahari VDC of Biratnagar Sub-metropolis. Primary and secondary data were the source of the study. The research was designed in such a way that field visit, sampling collection and laboratory analysis were the major method used in data generation. A comprehensive research methodology was designed to make the study fruitful.

Selected parameters for the study in Judi River shows that the river is highly polluted in affected point ( Judi Bridge ). Water samples of Judi Bridge have excessive pollution load regarding all physical, chemical, heavy metals and microbiological parameter. Surface water quality monitoring in Judi River showed that all the pollution indicators considered for the quality of water such as BOD, COD, Chloride, Nitrogen contents (in different form) and turbidity reached high levels after the water flow of river reached the affected point (Judi Bridge). Sampling Point of Judi Bridge showed higher degree of pollution than of Lohandra Ghat and Bakrichaur.

The contamination of Judi River is due to industrial effluent. Conductivity correlates with the dissolved ions in water. High conductivity in Judi River is due to industrial wastewaters. Total dissolved solids are correlating with conductivity. As chloride originates from industrial waste as well as human sewage, so its presence indicates the water is polluted by human excrement also. The value of TKN was lower than that of the Nitrate due to high temperature during monitoring because of the conversion of TKN to nitrite and nitrate and also the dissolved oxygen had played its role for bacterial activity.A level of around 4-5 mg/l is the level required for survival of aerobic forms of life. The oxygen resources in a river decreases due to removal of oxygen by microorganisms during biodegradation and the replenishment of oxygen through interaction at the surface of the water. Deoxygenation is assumed to be proportional to the BOD remaining at a point. A depth study of the selected parameters of Judi River conclude that the dissolved oxygen level is above the standard in all three stations but the rate of degradation of BOD is very high. The load of organic oxygen demanding materials are excess, the BOD level is very high. As a result the DO is unable to recover to a tolerable level at any point after the entering of industrial effluent. An anaerobic environment prevails in the water. The existing tanning and soap industries contributes significant amount of heavy metals to the river. They also contribute organic load, which may contain dyes, surfactants, phosphates and nitrogenous matter.

he pH level of Judi River in Judi Bridge point is at intolerable levels. It was alkaline in nature, which could be due to activity of tanning and soap industry. Thermal pollution seems to be the problem in Judi River . The level of temperature is high in all three stations than that of standard. The presence of 1100 MPN/100ml of coliform bacteria in the river is warning for the local inhabitants. The extensive use of such river water for various purposes like bathing, vegetable washing, cloth and utensils washing, irrigation etc could be a most potential cause of seasonal out break of water born epidemics in that area.

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