Assessment of physiochemical and microbial concentrations in different fresh waters in Tiruchirappalli city: A special emphasize on their correlation

Abstract

The six fresh water samples belonging to three different sources (Cauvery river water, ground water and bottle drinking water) from Tiruchirappalli city were collected (bi-monthly sampling) during April 2014 to June 2014 for physiochemical and microbiological study. Bacterial and physiochemical parameters levels were two to ten folds higher in river water sample than in ground and bottle water due to discharges of municipal sewage and human activities. The elevated bacterial communities in May month indicated that which received waste materials from landside and more visits due to the lack of water scarcity. The higher pollution index (PI) ratio (>1) were observed in river water samples (than the ground and bottle water) in all the three months indicate the human fecal matters were responsible for water pollution. The order of decreasing microbial and physiochemical values were: May month > April month > June month. The correlation proved that physicochemical parameters were strongly supported to microbial communities due to addition of rich organic content in the water bodies from different pollution sources. Based on the report, this study was suggesting that throughout impoundment is needed to protect fresh water sources.