Saprobic Water Quality Classification

In Saprobic Water Quality Classification (SWQC) the water quality measured in terms of presence or absence of indicator biota. Basically this approach has been used to measure the degree of organic pollution in river based on the assemblage of organisms present. There are four main standard saprobic water quality classes such as Class I-non-polluted (Oligosaprobic), Class II-moderately polluted (Beta-mesosaprobic), Class III-heavily polluted (Alpha-mesosaprobic) and Class IV-extremely polluted (polysaprobic). Three transitional water quality classes are also identified: Class I-II-slightly polluted (oligosaprobic to beta-mesosaprobic), Class II-III-critically polluted (beta-mesosaprobic to alpha -mesosaprobic) and Class III-IV-very heavily polluted (alpha-mesosaprobic to polysaprobic). Each of this water quality class is described in terms of physiographic and hydrologic parameters, habitat, and anthropogenic activities.