Emad Dehghanifard - Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
Mohammad Mehdi Baneshi - Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran
Gagik Badalians Gholikandi - Department of Water and Wastewater Engineering, Power & Water University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
Ali Dehnavi - Department of Environmental Engineering, School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

Aims of the Study: The physical, chemical and biological characteristics of Karaj River (near the city of Tehran, Iran), has been studied to evaluate the suitability of its water for domestic uses.Materials & Methods: Samples of water were collected from various localities before, in and after Karaj Dam Lake and were analyzed based on needs for Water Quality Index (WQI) calculation. In this study, WQI were calculated for the best and the poor condition for quality zoning determination of Karaj water quality. Results: Comparison of water quality index in different sampling stations of Karaj River in different years showed that the water quality of this river was better in 2008 compared with years 2007 and 2009; however ANOVA analysis showed no significant difference between the data in these years (p <0.05). Conclusions: The range of water quality was different from medium to good (WQI=50-100), so this water can be used for domestic uses after suitable treatment.

Alborz Province, Karaj, Iran Lakes, Karaj Dam Quality Control Quality Zoning Rivers, Karaj Water Quality, Assessment Water Quality, Index