We investigated the background information of the water and sediment of Dong-Shan River, Lao-Jie River, Wu River, Er-Ren River, Hou-Jin River, Niou-Chou River in April and August, 2008. We analyzed the concentration of pollutants in the water and sediment from the 6 rivers. These investigations also included findings of the distribution and varieties of conch, shellfish and benthic organism in the area, and a biological graphic illustration was established for future reference. To understand the environmental background of the river basin under investigation and to estimate the degree of pollution of these rivers, RPI and WQI index methods were used for water quality evaluation, and the degree of potential hazards of heavy metals and sediment pollution risk assessment criteria issued by the EPB of the New York State and USEPA were used for sediment evaluation. Fish, crustacean and aquatic insects were used for the biological species. Based on the findings, the pollution under investigation was properly categorized. The distinctive pollutants in waters and sediments, and major biological species identified from various sections of the river will serve as a guideline for future monitoring. The monitoring results, showed better water quality in Dong-Shan and Wu River than others. However, the downriver area of Lao-Jie, Er-Ren River as well as Hou-Jin and Niou-Chou River showed that the sediments might had been polluted by heavy metals heavily. Generally, most rivers’ situations were much obvious different in the rainy and dry season. The quality of waters and sediments in rainy season was much better than the dry season. Finally, we suggested not only monitoring the high-risk rivers, but also using the local creature into the index, to reduce the calculation and judge bias.

water quality monitoring, sediment quality guideline, biotic index, Dong-Shan River, Lao-Jie River, Wu River, Er-Ren River, Hou-Jin River and Niou-Chou River