In the bustling port city of Chattogram, Bangladesh, where rapid urbanization is reshaping the landscape, a new study has sounded an alarm about the health of its urban ponds—a vital yet often overlooked resource. Conducted by Mohammad Abdul Aziz, a researcher from the Department of Civil Engineering at Port City International University (PCIU), the study provides the first comprehensive assessment of pond water quality across all 41 wards of the city, revealing stark disparities in pollution levels and offering a critical baseline for future interventions.
Aziz and his team sampled one representative pond per ward during August–September 2025, analyzing key parameters such as dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), nitrate, phosphate, and microbial contamination. The findings paint a concerning picture: while some ponds remain relatively clean, others are severely degraded, with DO levels as low as 2.1 mg/L and BOD as high as 12.4 mg/L. The Water Quality Index (WQI) values ranged from a low of 12 to a high of 390, with wards 2, 7, 21, 24, 32, and 41 standing out as hotspots of pollution.
“These results are a wake-up call,” Aziz said. “The strong inverse relationship between DO and fecal coliform, as well as the very high correlation between DO and BOD, suggests that organic waste and microbial contamination are major drivers of water degradation. This isn’t just an environmental issue—it’s a public health and economic concern.”
The study’s use of advanced statistical tools, including Pearson correlation, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and GIS-based spatial interpolation, provides deeper insights into the pollution dynamics. PCA revealed that a single dominant factor—primarily linked to BOD, DO, total dissolved solids (TDS), nitrate, and phosphate—accounts for over 43% of the total variance, pointing to pollution load as the key controlling factor. Meanwhile, the spatial analysis highlights how wastewater intrusion, surface runoff, and inadequate sanitation systems are likely culprits behind the deterioration.
For industries reliant on water—such as energy, manufacturing, and agriculture—the implications are significant. Contaminated water sources can lead to increased treatment costs, operational inefficiencies, and even regulatory penalties. The energy sector, in particular, which often depends on surface water for cooling and other processes, may face heightened scrutiny and the need for more robust water management strategies.
Published in *Discover Cities* (formerly *Chittagong City* in Bengali), this research underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions. While the study is limited to a single sampling period, it serves as a crucial first step in establishing a city-wide monitoring framework. Future efforts could expand on these findings, incorporating seasonal variations and broader sampling to refine pollution control strategies.
As Chattogram continues to grow, the health of its ponds will be a barometer for the city’s overall sustainability. For policymakers, industries, and communities alike, this study is a reminder that urban development must go hand-in-hand with environmental stewardship. The data is clear: without action, the cost of inaction could far outweigh the investment in cleaner, healthier water systems.