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Assessing the Water Quality of Rivers of a Small Town in Wangwenzhuang, Tianjin, China, Using the PCA–WQI min Method

Author

Listed:
  • Hui Yuan

    (Tianjin Eco-Environmental Monitoring Center, Tianjin 300191, China)

  • Haojie Zhai

    (Tianjin Eco-Environmental Monitoring Center, Tianjin 300191, China)

  • Shaoqiang Han

    (Tianjin Eco-Environmental Monitoring Center, Tianjin 300191, China)

  • Ye Tian

    (Tianjin Eco-Environmental Monitoring Center, Tianjin 300191, China)

  • Jiahong Liu

    (Tianjin Eco-Environmental Monitoring Center, Tianjin 300191, China)

Abstract

The deterioration of the water environment in small towns in China due to urbanization has posed a significant challenge to their socioeconomic sustainability. Therefore, this study aims to employ an integrated assessment method based on the principal component analysis–minimal water quality index model (PCA–WQI min ) to objectively evaluate the water quality and analyze the pollution characteristics of Wangwenzhuang in Tianjin, thereby providing a scientific basis and decision-making support for the sustainable development of small towns. This study’s findings reveal that the PCA–WQI min method identified four key water quality parameters essential for a comprehensive assessment of water quality across seasonal and spatial variations. The analysis revealed that the water quality in the investigated region remained at a “poor” level, with relatively consistent levels across the four catchments, ranked from poorest to best as the Xingchilong catchment area (29.61) < Jianxinpaigan catchment area (31.03) < Chilong catchment area (32.94) < Machangjian catchment area (39.61). This study revealed that the average WQI min values slightly increased in the wet season relative to those in the dry season. This research highlights the critical importance of effectively managing domestic rural sewage and aquaculture pollution to increase surface water quality in small towns. Pollution prevention policies and multiple sources of pollution evaluation will be considered the focus of future studies.

Suggested Citation

  • Hui Yuan & Haojie Zhai & Shaoqiang Han & Ye Tian & Jiahong Liu, 2025. "Assessing the Water Quality of Rivers of a Small Town in Wangwenzhuang, Tianjin, China, Using the PCA–WQI min Method," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-19, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:7:p:3035-:d:1623269
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Hou, Xiaoning & Xu, Zan & Tang, Caihong & Zhang, Shanghong, 2021. "Spatial distributions of nitrogen and phosphorus losses in a basin and responses to best management practices — Jialing River Basin case study," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 255(C).
    2. Xueqin Wang & Shenghe Liu & Olivier Sykes & Chengxin Wang, 2019. "Characteristic Development Model: A Transformation for the Sustainable Development of Small Towns in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(13), pages 1-21, July.
    3. Driss Hammoumi & Hefdhallah S. Al-Aizari & Ibrahim A. Alaraidh & Mohammad K. Okla & Mohamed E. Assal & Ali R. Al-Aizari & Mohamed Sheikh Moshab & Saïd Chakiri & Zohra Bejjaji, 2024. "Seasonal Variations and Assessment of Surface Water Quality Using Water Quality Index (WQI) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA): A Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-21, July.
    4. Xuewei Sun & Huayong Zhang & Meifang Zhong & Zhongyu Wang & Xiaoqian Liang & Tousheng Huang & Hai Huang, 2019. "Analyses on the Temporal and Spatial Characteristics of Water Quality in a Seagoing River Using Multivariate Statistical Techniques: A Case Study in the Duliujian River, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-18, March.
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