Water quality of Bagmati River within Kathmandu valley was
monitored for three seasons (pre-monsoon, monsoon and postmonsoon)
at seven sites for four years (2011-2014). Eleven parameters
were analyzed. A rapid increase in values of EC, TSS, Cl, Ammonia,
Phosphorous, BOD and COD as the river flows downward was
observed that indicates severe contamination of the river. Except for
the samples from Sundarijal, most other samples showed intensive
contamination that increased with river flow. The primary causes of
water pollution include direct dumping of sewage, septage, household
and industrial effluent and animal waste into the river. The difference
in parameter values between years was not significant in most cases. A
slight decrease in contamination was observed in 2013 and 2014 data,
possibly a positive impact of the “Bagmati River Clean-up” campaign
initiated in May 2013.