Groundwater Quality in Hilly Region of Uttarakhand with Particular Reference to Srinagar (Garhwal) and its Surrounding

Abstract

The availability of safe drinking water is a basic necessity for the well-being of society. Physicochemical characteristics of water significantly determine its quality and directly or indirectly influence the microbial growth. Only a selected studies have been done in the Garhwal region to ascertain the physicochemical quality including heavy metals and bacteriological properties of the groundwater sources. The physico-chemical quality of groundwater sources used for drinking purposes in Srinagar and two adjacent areas i.e., Srikot and Chauras were analysed by collecting the water samples during pre-monsoon, monsoon and post monsoon period in 2019. The parameters included water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), free carbon dioxide (CO2), total alkalinity (TA), total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity, total hardness (TH), turbidity and chloride, fluoride, nitrate and phosphate. On the basis of physicochemical analysis, it was recorded that the studied parameters lie within the desirable limit of BIS and WHO standards except alkalinity, turbidity and hardness which were found slightly higher throughout the study. Also, the water quality index (WQI) revealed that groundwater sources of region do not fall under good category of water and found to be unsuitable for drinking. Therefore, proper treatment of groundwater sources is required such as filtration, boiling, and other methods before being consumed by the people.