Chemical Properties of Drinking Water of Renigunta Near Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India and its Impact on Human Health

S.V Dorairaju,C Narasimha Rao,P.V Chalapathi,M Bujagendra Raju

doi:10.12944/cwe.7.1.06

Abstract

This paper is an attempt to assess the effect of drinking water quality on health of the people living in Renigunta, an industrial area near Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India. Drinking water samples were collected from 40 different locations of Renigunta and analyzed for physicochemical parameters such as pH, hard ness, alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, iron, nitrates, chlorides, sulphates, electrical conductivity, total solids (TS), total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), dissolved oxygen (DO), chemical oxygen demand (COD) and bio chemical oxygen demand (BOD). The found values of physicochemical parameters were compared with the World Health Organization water quality standards. Study of all these characteristics and correlation studies indicate that in some of the studied areas water was polluted and not suitable for drinking purpose. The drinking water of the area needs some degree of treatment before consumption and prevention steps to be taken from contamination.

Highlights

The quality of drinking water is vital concern for mankind since it is directly linked with human health
Hardness value in the studied area varied between 423-538 mg/L. 6 sampling points showed higher hardness values than the prescribed limit by WHO
Magnesium value in the studied area varied between 54-87 mg/L

Summary

Introduction

The quality of drinking water is vital concern for mankind since it is directly linked with human health. People of rural areas located around Tirupati are mainly dependent on ground water for drinking and other domestic needs. In this paper an attempt was made to assess the physico chemical analysis of drinking water in the view of health of human beings living in this area. Drinking water of different polluted locations at Renigunta area near Tirupati was studied during the period from March 2011 to August 2011. Most of the waters are slightly alkaline due to presence of carbonates and bicarbonates.

Results

Conclusion