Status Of Groundwater For Drinking Purposes During Post Monsoon- 2013 In Upper Thirumanimuttar Sub Basin,Cauvery River South India

Abstract

Water is the world’s lifeblood. Groundwater is a vital resource for human survival at many places of the world and it is the only available alternative source of water. Groundwater is a hidden resource whose value is not well understood or appreciated. The analysis of groundwater chemical characteristics provides much important information useful in water resources management. Detailed knowledge of the geochemical evolution of groundwater and assessing the water quality status for special use are the main objective of any water monitoring study. In the present study, the physicochemical characteristics of groundwater of Upper Thirumanimuttar sub basin Cauvery river South India were assessed for its suitability for drinking purposes. A total of 30 water samples were collected from the wells from different parts of the study area during post monsoon 2013 . In order to assess the ground water quality, the water samples were analyzed for different physico-chemical properties, e.g., Na,K,Ca,Mg,CO3, HCO3,Cl,SO4,pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), total hardness (TH), total alkalinity (TA) concentrations. The results were compared with the standards prescribed by World Health Organization (WHO) and Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS). All the physicochemical parameters were found to be in the prescribed permissible limit. From the pH values it is clear that the ground water of the study area is alkaline in nature and the TDS varies in between 554-3398 mg/l, which indicates that water in the deep aquifer is moderately hard. Hence it is suggested to soften the groundwater water before consumption