Abstract

Models of water quality are the instruments that help in in simulating and envisaging the distributions of pollutants, their concentrations, and the associated risks in water bodies. Results of these water quality models provide a platform to figure out how different types of pollution affect water quality. This leads to the development of solutions to overcome the risks. In the present study four  water quality models (WQMs) are reviewed viz. QUAL 2K, MIKE, WASP and QUASAR that have been widely used all over the world. All WQMs have window based graphical interface and are freely available except MIKE 11. They are dynamic in nature and also data intensive except QUAL2K model. Each parameter has a default value in every models. The study highlights the usage of these models by different researchers, globally.

Key words: Water quality, Water quality models, QUAL, MIKE, QUASAR, WASP