Water quality assessment of the Purna river for irrigation purpose in Buldana district, Maharashtra.

The paper presents the assessment of water quality of Purna river for its suitability for irrigation purpose. Geologically the basin comprises deep alluvium, which is of basaltic and volcanic origin. Water quality was monitored at various locations along 78 km stretch of the river Purna, upstream and downstream, from proposed Jigaon dam in Buldana district of Maharashtra State. The assessment was carried during pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. The analytical results indicate higher concentrations of certain ions during pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons may be attributed to seepage of ground water from aquifer to surface water body and lower concentrations during monsoon may be due to dilution effect with surface runoff. The values of SAR, %Na and RSC indicate good to permissible quality of water as per the BIS standard for irrigation.