BIS Standards Research Articles

Analytical Study of Water Safety Parameters in Ground Water Samples of Uttarakhand in India

Background: There is plenty of water available in hills, the main problem of the locality is the drinking water. These water resources are not exploited for drinking and irrigation purposes. Also, certain health problems are associated with people living in hills that are because of the presence of excess of heavy metals and other impurities. Aims and Objectives: The present study was conducted to analyze the various parameters of ground water in uttarakhand, India and to check its fitness for drinking. It will also clarify the health hazards imposed on the population of this state. Design & Setting: The present study was conducted in five regions of Uttarakhand, India (Haridwar, Vikasnagar, Mussoorie, Dehradun & Dakpathar) during 2006-2007. Ten samples of ground water were collected from each of the five regions during the pre-monsoon (Jan-Feb 2007) and post-monsoon (Sept-Oct 2006) seasons. Materials & Method: The pH was estimated by pH meter and the alkalinity was determined by titration methods. The total suspended solid was calculated by the following formula: Total suspended solid (mg) / ltr = (A-B) x 1000 / sample vol. In litres. Where, A= weight of filter + dried residue, B=weight of filter paper. Total hardness was calculated by adding calcium and magnesium hardness derived by EDTA titration method. The chloride was estimated by silver nitrate titration method and sulphates were estimated by titration method. The different heavy metals (Mn, Al, Ba, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Fe and Pb) were determined in the ground water samples by ICP mass spectroscopy. Results: The concentrations of heavy metals, pH, alkalinity, sulphate, chloride, TDS & Total Hardness (TH) were compared with the standards set by BIS for Drinking water (IS 10500:1991). The results show that water quality of all the five regions studied showed no remarkable variation from the BIS recommended value of pH (6.5-8.5). The alkalinity was above the BIS desirable level of 200mg/l in all the samples, but was less than the maximum permissible limit. The Drinking water of all the regions contains higher amounts of TDS than the desirable limits. The maximum TDS was detected in Haridwar (682.5 mg/L) and dehradun (610 mg/L) state. The ground water of mussoorie region shows total hardness to be above the BIS desirable level of 300mg/l. The chloride content was above the BIS desirable level of 250mg/l in dehradun only. The sulphate content was highest in haridwar (197.5mg/l) and dehradun (170mg/l) but it was below the desirable limit of 200mg/l. The cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), and lead (Pb) content of all the five regions of Uttarakhand showed higher the BIS permissible limits of 0.01, 0.05 and 0.05 mg/l respectively. The content of manganese (Mn), barium (Ba), Copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), iron (Fe) are within the permissible limit of BIS standards for drinking water.

Ionic sources and water quality assessment around a reservoir in Tehri, Uttarakhand, Garhwal Himalaya

The paper discusses the ionic sources and chemical quality of the waters (surface and groundwater) around the Tehri reservoir in Uttarakhand, Garhwal, Himalaya, for drinking and irrigation purposes. The main Bhagirathi river, tributary streams and springs and groundwater are the main sources of water for the reservoir and inhabitant living around it. Fifty-two water samples were collected from springs, handpumps (borewell) and streams and were analysed for major ions. The pH is varying from 6.8 to 8.6 and EC from 28 to 820 μS/cm. The chemical composition of water is dominated by Ca, Mg and HCO3. The high ratio of Ca + Mg/Na + K and low ratio of Na + K/TZ indicate dominance of carbonate dissolution as the main solute acquisition process in this part of Lesser Himalaya. The trilinear and X–Y plots suggest less contribution from silicate weathering and anthropogenic activities. The excess of Na over Cl indicating much of the alkalis in the waters of Tehri area have source other than precipitation possibly from silicate weathering. Recharged by meteoric water, the quality of water in the study area is controlled essentially by chemical processes occurring between water and lithology and locally altered by human activities. Among the trace metals the concentration of Fe at few locations has marginally exceeded the WHO and BIS standards of drinking water. The analytical result computed from various water quality indices indicate fairly good quality of water for both drinking and irrigation purposes. The factor analysis performed on the major ion data indicate two factors are the most important affecting the water quality of the area.

Biological Effect of Heavy Metal in Drinking Water samples of Western Uttar Pradesh region in India

Drinking water is a basic requirement for life and a determinant of standard of living. Poor water quality problem has also been observed in more number of habitations. Drinking water, in adequate quantity with safe quality is a basic requirement for life and a determinant of standard of living. Certain health problems are associated with people due to presence of excess of heavy metals and other impurities. The present study was conducted to analyze the various parameters of ground water in Uttar Pradesh India and to check its fitness for drinking. It will also clarify the health hazards imposed on the population of this state. The water samples are collected from Aligarh, Bulandshar, Merrut, MuzaffarNagar & Saharanpur zone of the Western U.P. region. Ten samples of ground water were collected from each of the five regions during the pre-mansoon (Jan-Feb) and post-mansoon (Sept-Oct ) seasons. The pH was estimated by pH meter, acidity, alkalinity, sulphates, chorides, Total hardness(Ca & Mg) were determined by titration methods. The total suspended solid was calculated by the formula. The heavy metals like Mn, Al, Ba, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Fe and Pb were determined in the ground water samples by ICP mass spectroscopy. The concentrations of heavy metals, pH, alkalinity, sulphate, chloride, TDS & Total Hardness (TH) were compared with the standards by BIS for Drinking water (IS 10500:2004). The results shows that water pH of all the five regions showed no remarkable variation from the BIS recommended value of pH (6.5-8.5). The alkalinity was above the BIS desirable level of 200mg/l in all the samples, but was less than the maximum permissible limit. The Drinking water of all the regions contains higher amounts of TDS than the desirable limits. Maximum TDS was detected in aligarh(780-820mg/litre). The ground water of Saharanpur region shows total hardness to be above the BIS desirable level of 300mg/l. The chloride content was above the BIS desirable level of 250mg/l in Aligarh only. The sulphate content was highest in aligarh (223mg/l). The Cd, Cr, &Pb content of all the five regions of Uttar Pradesh showed higher the BIS permissible limits of 0.003, 0.05 and 0.01mg/l respectively. The content of Mn, Ba, Cu, Co & Fe are within the permissible limit of BIS standards for drinking water.

The Ethanolosis of Pongamia pinnata Oil by a Two-stage Acid-base Catalyst Transesterification Process for Production of Biodiesel

To standardize the production process of ethyl ester from Pongamia oil, which has high free fatty acids, a two-stage transesterification was developed. In first-stage acid transesterification, parameters like ethanol, quantity, and reaction time were optimized to reduce free fatty acids below 1% using H2SO4 catalyst. In second-stage alkaline transesterification, parameters like molar ratio, degree proof of ethanol, catalyst concentration, and reaction temperature were optimized to obtain the highest yield with lower viscosity from pretreated oil. The ester recovery was estimated with spectrophotometry and was found to be 91%. The fuel characteristic properties of Pongamia ethyl ester were inline with specified BIS standards.

Hydrogeochemistry and microbial contamination of groundwater from Lower Ponnaiyar Basin, Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu, India

Groundwater is the major source of fresh water in regions where there is inadequate surface water resources. Forty-seven groundwater samples were collected from Lower Ponnaiyar basin, Cuddalore District, south India, during the premonsoon (PRM) and postmonsoon (POM) seasons of 2005. Out of 47 groundwater samples, 15 samples showing higher nitrate concentration were those collected during PRM 2005. Microbial analysis of these samples was carried out by employing 16S rRNA gene sequence tool. Detailed analysis was conducted to determine the hydrogeochemical processes and microbial contamination responsible for deterioration of quality. The abundance of the ions during PRM and POM are in the following order: Na > Ca > Mg > K = Cl > HCO3 > SO4 > CO3. The dominant water types in PRM are in the order of NaCl > CaMgCl > mixed CaNaHCO3, whereas during POM NaCl > CaMgCl > mixed CaNaHCO3, and CaHCO3. However, NaCl and CaMgCl are major water types in the study area. The quality of groundwater in the study area is mainly impaired by surface contamination sources, mineral dissolution, ion exchange and evaporation. Groundwater chemistry was used to assess quality to ensure its suitability for drinking and irrigation, based on BIS and WHO standards. Suitability for irrigation was determined on the basis of the diagram of US Salinity Laboratory (USSL), sodium absorption ratio (SAR), residual sodium carbonate (RSC), and Na%. According to SAR and USSL classification, 27.66% (PRM) and 40.43% (POM) of samples fall under C3S2 category, indicating high salinity and medium sodium hazard, which restrict its suitability for irrigation. Microbiological analysis and its effects on the water quality were also addressed. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of 11 bacterial contaminants exhibited five groups with 11 operational taxonomic units with aerobic and facultatively anaerobic organisms. The presence of aerobic organisms in the groundwater samples reflects the active conversion of ammonia to nitrite by Nitrosomonas sp. which is further converted to nitrates by other organisms. Further the presence of nitrate reducers could also play a role in the process of conversion of nitrate to ammonia and nitrate to molecular nitrogen.

Durability of timber of Grevillea robusta (A. Cunn. ex R. Br.) at different ages, grown in dry and wet regions of Karnataka

Experiments were conducted as per BIS Standards to assess the natural durability of timber from 5,10,15 and 20 year old trees of silver oak, Grevillea robusta grown in wet and dry regions (high and low rain fall area) of Karnataka, against brown and white rot fungi under laboratory conditions and against termites under soil burial exposures. All the age group timbers from both the regions fell within the resistant to moderately resistant class when tested against decay fungi under laboratory conditions. Timber from 5 year old trees was destroyed completely by termites within 4 years of exposure in test yard. While 10 year samples showed retention between 35 and 50 %, 15 and 20 year timber samples showed good resistance (80–100 %) up to 3 years of exposure. The susceptibility to termite attack reduced as the age of the tree increased. The termite attack was relatively more in the timber obtained from high rain fall area when compared to that of timber obtained from low rain fall area.

Hydrochemistry of groundwater in a coastal region of Cuddalore district, Tamilnadu, India: implication for quality assessment

A hydrogeochemical investigation was conducted in a coastal region of Cuddalore district to identify the influence of saltwater intrusion and suitability of groundwater for domestic and agricultural purposes. The geology of the study area comprises of sandstone, clay, alluvium, and laterite soils of Tertiary and Quaternary age. A total of 18 groundwater samples were analyzed for 14 different water quality parameters and the result indicates higher concentrations of ions like Cl (3,509 mg/l), Na (3,123 mg/l), and HCO3 (998 mg/l) when compared with WHO, BIS, and ISI standards. A positive correlation (r2 = 0.82) was observed between Na and Cl, indicating its sources from salt water intrusion. Three factors were extracted with a total variance of 64% which indicates the sources of salinization, cation exchange, and anthropogenic impact to the groundwater. The Piper trilinear diagram indicates both Na–Cl and mixed Na–HCO3–Cl-type, indicating that groundwater was strongly affected by anthropogenic activities. The plot of (Ca + Mg)/(K + Na) indicates evidences of cation exchange and salt water intrusion. The (Ca–0.33*HCO3)/ SO4 plot indicates salt water intrusion for elevated SO4 levels rather than gypsum dissolution. The spatial distribution of total dissolved solid indicates the saline water encroachment along the SW part of the study area. As per sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), 50% of the samples with 10 SAR indicates that water is unsuitable for irrigation purposes. The residual sodium carbonate classification indicates that 50% of the samples fall in safe and 50% of the samples fall in bad zones and prolonged usage of this water will affect the crop yield. The Chloro Alkaline Index of water indicates disequilibrium due to a higher ratio of Cl > Na–K, indicating the influence of salt water intrusion. The Permeability Index of the groundwater indicates that the groundwater from the study area is moderate to good for irrigation purposes.

Performance variation of an R22 window air conditioner retrofitted with a HFC/HC refrigerant mixture under different ambient conditions over a range of charge quantities

AbstractR22 has been generally accepted as the most suitable refrigerant for air conditioners, due to its favorable thermodynamic properties. However, R22 is a controlled substance under the Montreal protocol. M20 is a HFC/HC refrigerant mixture that can be used as a substitute for R22. This paper presents experimental investigation on the performance comparison of a window air conditioner operated with the M20 tested under different refrigerant charge levels and outdoor conditions against that with R22. Experiments were conducted in accordance with BIS procedure in a psychrometric test facility. Refrigerant charge in the air conditioner was systematically varied from 900 to 1600 g in steps of 50 g for R22 and 697 to 1279 g in steps of 39 g [equivalent to 50 g of R22] for the M20. At each charge levels, the outdoor room conditions were changed in accordance with BIS standards. It is observed that R22 is more sensitive to deviations in charge levels as compared to the M20. A decrease in charge level of about 7% reduced the system refrigerating capacity by 11.3% with R22 while with the M20 refrigerant mixture it reduces by 6.9% only. Similarly an overcharge by 7% reduces the refrigerating capacity of the system by 13.8% with R22 while with M20 it reduces by 6.5% only. Thus M20 is less sensitive to charge deviations. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/htj). DOI 10.1002/htj.20339

CAPACITY ASSESSMENT OF A WINDOW AIR-CONDITIONER RETROFITTED WITH A REFRIGERANT MIXTURE

R22 being a HCFC is to be phased out soon as per the Montreal protocol. This paper presents the experimental performance study of an air-conditioner retrofitted with M20 (a refrigerant mixture of R407C, R600a and R290 in the mass fraction 80:10.96:9.04 respectively). M20 is considered as a substitute for R22 in window air-conditioners with mineral oil as the compressor lubricant. Previously, the performance of the same mixture has been reported with 19% extra condenser length as compared to that in the R22 system. In this study, experiments were conducted in a 5.25 kW window airconditioner to assess the potential of M20 as a retrofit refrigerant without making any system alteration other than changing the capillary. The system performance study was carried out with R22 and later with the M20 charge in a psychrometric test facility as per BIS and ASHRAE standards. Experimental results showed that with the M20, the system had 4.18% to 7.47% lower cooling capacity with respect to that of R22. The COP for the M20 refrigerant was lower, in the range of 0.58% to 7.78% than that of R22. Hence, M20 can be used as a drop- in-substitute for R22 in window air-conditioners but with a marginal reduction in cooling capacity.

Regeneration of Aluminum Hydride Using Trimethylamine

Aluminum hydride is an attractive reducing agent and energy storage compound possessing a low decomposition temperature and a high gravimetric and volumetric hydrogen density. However, it is thermodynamically unstable at room temperature and requires extremely high pressures to form the hydride from aluminum and hydrogen gas. Here, we describe an alternate method of synthesizing AlH{sub 3} using Ti-catalyzed Al powder, H{sub 2}, and trimethylamine (TMA) to form an alane adduct. The formation of trimethylamine alane occurs at modest hydrogen pressures ({approx}100 bar), forming the 2:1 bis complex (2 trimethylamine/AlH{sub 3}). Along with the hydrogenation product, mono (1:1) and bis (2:1) standards of TMA-AlH{sub 3} were prepared and characterized using X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. X-ray absorption spectroscopy of the reaction products showed that the Ti catalyst remains with the unreacted Al powder after hydrogenation and is not present in the alane adduct. We also demonstrate that TMA can be transaminated with triethylamine to form triethylamine alane, which can easily be separated to recover AlH{sub 3}.

Groundwater pollution in the Palar Riverbed near Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India

Vellore is the second most populous district of Tamil Nadu in India where the Palar River flowing towards east for about 295 Km. The river sets as the major water source recharging the ground water nearby areas. The District is now known for its medical tourism and educational excellence. With more migration into the city, it becomes necessary for the corporation to give a good quality drinking water to the people. Vellore is surrounded by many leather tanneries and small scale dying industries and their effluents are discharged into the Palar River causing impact on the quality of the underground water. Hence, it becomes necessary to study the quality of the groundwater of the city as it greatly influenced by the Palar River. Sampling stations were chosen near residential areas, located at a distance of 2-3 Km from the Palar River. The physico-chemical parameters like pH, temperature, total dissolved solids, electrical conductivity, chloride, hardness and salinity of the samples collected from various sampling stations were studied. The determined physico-chemical parameters were compared with the BIS and ICMR standards for the drinking water to know about the quality of the groundwater. Various physico-chemical parameters studied in the area between Shenbakkam and Keezhminnal of Vellore, show the quality of the underground water in deteriorating state. The underground water of sampling station S13 and S14 needs special attention, as all the parameters such as TDS, electrical conductivity, chloride, hardness and salinity is found to be very high. It may cause laxative effects on health of the people consuming the contaminated water and it is not much suitable for irrigation purpose also. All the other sampling stations have their respective physico-chemical parameters slightly above the BIS and ICMR limits. Hence, proper water treatment is warranted. The outcome of the study emphasizes the necessity of the riparian bed as a common property resource to be used for better community health instead of short-term benefit.

Boiling heat transfer coefficient of R22 and an HFC/HC refrigerant mixture in a fin‐and‐tube evaporator of a window air conditioner

AbstractThe commonly used refrigerant in unitary type air conditioners is R22 and its phase out schedule in developing countries is to commence from 2015. Many alternatives to R22 are found in published literature in which R407C has similar characteristics to those of R22 except for its zeotropic nature. However, R407C which is an HFC is made compatible with the mineral oil lubricant in the system compressor by the addition of 20% of HC. This HFC/HC mixture called the M20 refrigerant mixture is reported to be a retrofit refrigerant for R22. Though its latent heat value is greater than that of R22, its refrigerating capacity is lower when it is used to retrofit R22 window air conditioners. Hence, a heat transfer analysis was conducted in the evaporator of a room air conditioner, for practically realized heat flux conditions during standard performance testing. The tests were conducted as per the BIS and ASHRAE standards. Kattan–Thome–Favrat maps are used to confirm the flow patterns, which prevail inside the fin‐and‐tube evaporator in the tested operating conditions. It is revealed that the heat transfer coefficient/heat fluxes are poorer for M20 because of the lower mass flow rate and higher vapor fraction at the entry of the evaporator than that of R22 in the prevailing operating conditions. The heat transfer coefficients of the M20 refrigerant mixture under various test conditions are lower in the range of 14% to 56% than those of R22. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/htj.20299

Biodiesel Making from Waste Vegetable Oils: A Case Study of Lab to Plant Technology Transfer

Great deals of efforts are being made to promote bio-diesel as an environment-friendly alternative to the petrodiesel to meet the increasing demands. Two important issues which are hindering the dissemination of the technology are: raw material availability at an affordable cost, and the acceptable quality of the bio-diesel satisfying the BIS standards. The study was undertaken with the duel objectives to make bio-diesel from cheaper unconventional raw materials, as well as to demonstrate a process at a pilot plant scale at users’ site. Wastes of vegetable oil refining such as acid oil as well as waste cooking oils were processed for making biodiesel. Process reported here used esterification, followed by transesterification of oil using methanol, and a chosen catalyst. The processes were initially studied on laboratory scale conversion units (20 l/batch), which enabled to determine the process parameters for the pilot field-unit (400 l/batch). The process flow design, mass balance, process time for the batch processes were established and are reported along with the important fuel properties of biodiesel such as density, viscosity, moisture content and flash point. The technology has been demonstrated for its technical performance at a Village Industry Centre, where the bio-diesel produced is used in-situ for electricity generation.

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Physico-chemical characteristics of certain water bodies of Bhopal, India

The aim of this study is to assess physico-chemical characteristics and coliform levels to assess status of six water bodies i.e., Upper Lake at Boat Club and at Kamla Park, Motia Talab, Lower Lake, Shahpura Lake and Kalia Saut dam of Bhopal, M.P. The present study was carried out during monsoon season, 2008. The range of water quality parameters were observed as pH from 7.08 to 7.5, electrical conductivity from 0.17 to 0.56, total dissolved solids from 116.00 to 172.0, total hardness from 67.0 to 22.0, chlorides from 27.32 to 69.65, free carbon dioxide from 2.0 to 6.66 and total alkalinity from 98.66 to 255.33. Except pH, all the parameters showed high range to values in Shahpura Lake. While, pH value was maximum recorded in Upper Lake at Kamla Park. Surplus growths of fecal colonies were recorded in all water bodies. After comparing the water quality parameters with BIS standards, it may be said that, the Shahpura Lake is highly polluted than others which may be due to high anthropogenic activities around the lake and allocthonous nutrients are added to the reservoir.

Assessment of ground water quality for drinking purpose, District Nainital, Uttarakhand, India

The ground water quality of District Nainital (Uttarakhand, India) has been assessed to see the suitability of ground water for drinking and irrigation applications. This is a two-part series paper and this paper examines the suitability of ground water including spring water for drinking purposes. Forty ground water samples (including 28 spring samples) were collected during pre- and post-monsoon seasons and analyzed for various water quality constituents. The hydrochemical and bacteriological data was analyzed with reference to BIS and WHO standards and their hydrochemical facies were determined. The concentration of total dissolved solids exceeds the desirable limit of 500 mg/L in about 10% of the samples, alkalinity values exceed the desirable limit of 200 mg/L in about 30% of the samples, and total hardness values exceed the desirable limit of 300 mg/L in 15% of the samples. However, no sample crosses the maximum permissible limit for TDS, alkalinity, hardness, calcium, magnesium, chloride, sulfate, nitrate, and fluoride. The concentration of chloride, sulfate, nitrate, and fluoride are well within the desirable limit at all the locations. The bacteriological analysis of the samples does not show any sign of bacterial contamination in hand pump and tube-well water samples. However, in the case of spring water samples, six samples exceed the permissible limit of ten coliforms per 100 ml of sample. It is recommended that water drawn from such sources should be properly disinfected before being used for drinking and other domestic applications. Among the metal ions, the concentration of iron and lead exceeds the permissible limit at one location whereas the concentration of nickel exceeds the permissible limit in 60 and 32.5% of the samples during pre- and post-monsoon seasons, respectively. The grouping of samples according to their hydrochemical facies indicates that majority of the samples fall in Ca-Mg-HCO(3) hydrochemical facies.

Statistical Study on Physicochemical Characteristics of Groundwater in and around Namakkal, Tamilnadu, India

Groundwater samples collected at different locations in and around Namakkal were analyzed for their physicochemical characteristics. Ten locations of groundwater samples were collected and studied for every two month for the period June‐2007 to December‐2007. The present investigation is focused on the determination of physicochemical parameters such as temperature, taste, turbidity, electrical conductivity, pH, hardness, total solids, total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, chlorides, sulphate, nitrate, fluorides, dissolved oxygen, sodium, potassium and E.coli bacterium. Groundwater suitability for domestic and irrigation purposes was examined by using WHO and BIS standards, which indicate the groundwater in a few areas, were not much suitable for domestic and agriculture purposes. Thus the objective of this study is to identify the quality of groundwater especially in the town and near by town where groundwater is used for domestic and agriculture purposes is discussed.

Exploring the Reuse Potential of Chemical Sludge from Textile Wastewater Treatment Plants in India-A Hazardous Waste

Problem statement: This study was conducted to explore the reuse potential of the chemical sludge (considered as hazardous waste as per Indian Government Hazardous Waste Management Rules) generated from combined effluent treatment in textile clusters. These textile clusters mainly cover the cotton dyeing and printing operations. Approach: Therefore, treatability studies of chemical sludge were conducted using solidification/stabilization treatment to examine the possibility of its reuse in construction materials. The sludge was characterised for its physico-chemical parameters and heavy metals. Standard blocks of dimensions 70.6×70.6×70.6 mm were prepared, in which chemical sludge was used as a partial replacement of cement by mixing 30-70 % of sludge in cement. After the experimental curing, the blocks were evaluated for physical engineering properties such as hardening time, block density, unconfined compressive strength. The chemical properties were determined in terms of concentrations of heavy metals in the TCLP leachate. Results: The hardening time ranged between 30-45 h. The compressive strength in the sludge cement blocks ranged from 2.63-22.54 N mm-2 after 14 days of water curing and 6.48-24.89 N mm-2 after 28 days of water curing for 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70 % sludge replacement in cement. The block density varied between 1361. 3408-1813.8992 Kg m-3 after 14 days and 1386.3953-1842.3446 Kg m-3 after 28 days of water curing. The concentrations of heavy metals were negligible in the TCLP leachate and thus below USEPA regulatory limits. Conclusion/Recommendations: As far as structural applications is concerned, it is fulfilling the criteria of some of the classes (C to K) as per the BIS standards of the bricks upto a strength of 25 N mm-2. The use of sludge can definitely be explored for other structural and nonstructural applications depending upon strength requirement. Other applications of textile sludge in the construction materials to be explored by conducting more bench scale studies.

Impact of dyeing industrial effluents on the groundwater quality in Kancheepuram (India)

Dyeing and printing of textile being a traditional industry of Kancheepuram town, a good number of textile industries along with dyeing and printing clusters have come up in the area. The dyeing units in Kancheepuram municipality and the surrounding villages are under constant threat of ground water contamination with chemicals of dyes. The present study evaluates the groundwater quality in and around the Kancheepuram town of Tamil Nadu with reference to drinking and irrigation purposes. Twenty groundwater samples were collected from various parts of the dyeing industrial region and the samples were analysed with standard analytic methods. The concentrations of total dissolved solids (1138 to 2574 mg/L), chloride (216 to 847 mg/L), total hardness (225 to 760 mg/L), sulphate (64 to 536 mg/L), nitrate (up to 58 mg/L), iron (up to 2.3 mg/L) and lead (up to 0.281 mg/L) were found to be higher and exceeded the permissible limits of BIS and WHO standards. The user specific water quality indices (USWQI) of each groundwater sample were evaluated for both purposes. The USWQI of the groundwater samples varied from 85 to 30 for drinking purpose and 89 to 50 for irrigation purpose. The results show that, the groundwater quality in the present study area can be categorized under 'good' for irrigation purpose and 'fair' for drinking purpose. Access to safe drinking water supply is one of the basic needs of society and hence a comprehensive plan of action is sought to curb groundwater contamination in the studied region.

Hydro‐chemical Survey of Groundwater of Delhi, India

The physicochemical parameters and trace metal contents of water samples from Delhi were assessed. A total of 20 water samples were collected from boring, tube well and hand pump and analyzed for the various physicochemical parameters like pH, conductivity, total dissolved solid, total alkalinity, Ca2+ and Mg2+ hardness, chloride ion, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, sulphate and heavy metal contents like Cu, Cr, Cd, Co, Zn and Ni. The results were compared with BIS standards for drinking water. The quality of water samples under study were within the maximum permissible limits. Therefore, the groundwater samples are fit for human consumption without prior treatment.