Groundwater Quality Investigation in Udayarpalayam Taluk, Ariyalur District, Tamilnadu, India

Abstract

Ariyalur is one of the districts in Tamilnadu it is rich in limestone resource. A study on geochemical characterization of ground water and its suitability for drinking purposes was carried out. Twenty five groundwater samples were collected from bore wells and open wells during Pre monsoon seasons of 2014. Groundwater is the main principle source for drinking, irrigation water and other activities in our study area. It is an indispensable source of our life. The problem of groundwater quality obtains high importance in this present-day, whether in the study area or any other countries in the world. The present study was carried out to analyse and evaluate the groundwater samples collected from residential areas of Udayarpalyam Taluk. The analyzed physicochemical parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, bicarbonate, sulphate, phosphates, chloride, nitrate, and fluoride are used to characterize the groundwater quality and its suitability for drinking uses. Calcium, sodium, chloride and sulphate are the dominant ions in the groundwater chemistry. The Groundwater is not suitable for drinking purposes at several locations in this area. Each parameter was compared with its standard permissible limit as prescribed by WHO/BIS. The analytical results indicated that the ground water quality was found unsatisfactory for drinking purpose in some location.