The current and future water supply situation in Ulaanbaatar city entirely depends on Tuul River. Keeping the Tuul River ecosystem healthy and intact is the basis for providing the population of Ulaanbaatar with water. Currently, no comprehensive studies have been conducted to characterize or quantify sludge that originates from the Central Wastewater Treatment Plant (CWWTP) in the river sediments for many years.

As part of the Millennium Challenge Account – Mongolia (MCA-Mongolia) Bulk Water Supply Project, Tuul river sediment sampling study was completed to determine contaminated sediments along a 35 km length of the river downstream from the CWWTP effluent outfall.

Figure 1, Field Samplings along Tuul River

Field sampling was performed from June 16 till July 25, 2019 along Tuul river downstream from CWWTP till Lun and Altanbulag soums of Tuv aimag. During the fieldwork, a total of 173 samples were collected from 47 transects using internationally recognized methodologies.

Figure 2, Tuul River Sediment sampling locations

The Tuul River sediment sampling study has provided valuable information regarding the quantity and characteristics of contaminated sediments and its results will be a good background to remediate river sediments, protect groundwater from pollution and further prevent Tuul river’s ecosystem degradation.

NOTE: Interested professional organizations can approach the Ministry of Environment and Tourism regarding the study.