WATER QUALITY INDEX MAP OF CHITHRAVATHI WATERSHED, KOLAR DISTRICT, KARNATAKA

摘要

To meet the increasing water demands, reliance on groundwater has been rapidly increasing, especially in the arid and semiarid regions. Overexploitation of groundwater leads to deterioration of groundwater quality. The study area is an overexploited area. Hence, its monitoring and assessment is imperative for devising preventive measures against health hazards. Groundwater samples were collected from 66 bore wells and analyzed for various physico-chemical parameters. To determine the suitability of groundwater for drinking purposes, Water Quality Index (WQI) was computed. The results were plotted on spatial maps and isoconcentration maps were prepared. The results indicate that certain parameters like nitrates, TDS, hardness, alkalinity and fluorides exceeded the permissible limits prescribed by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). Out of the 66 samples collected only 3 were found to be excellent, 18 samples good, 35 of poor quality, 9 very poor and 1 unfit for drinking. By reducing overdraft of groundwater and by altering the landuse practices, which degrades the environmental quality, the water quality in the study area could be improved. Artificial recharging is recommended to dilute the higher concentration of the constituents.