Introduction

Three-fourth of earth's surface is covered by a single natural resource - water. It is one of the
most vital constituents that has sustained and nurtured life on this blue planet right from the very
beginning. Many scientists believe the evolution of life through abiogenesis began at the heart of
the great ocean. Though, not all the water available on the planet is utilizable. Only about 3% of
the total water is considered freshwater, out of which only 0.4% is humanely accessible and can
be used for various anthropogenic purposes [Source: United States Geological Survey].

It is estimated that approximately one third of the world's population uses groundwater for
drinking (Nickson et al. 2005). Intensive agricultural activities have increased the demand on
groundwater resources in India. Without a well-functioning water supply, it is difficult to
imagine productive human activity be it agriculture or livestock. The quality of water is of
utmost importance to any water supply planning. Water quality is influenced by natural and
anthropogenic effects including local climate, geology and irrigation practices. The quality is a
function of the physical, chemical and biological parameters, and could be subjective, since it
depends on a particular intended use.

Untreated industrial waste effluents when discharged in unlined drains can percolate
underground, directly affecting the quality. Patnaik et al. (2002) have studied water pollution
generated from major industries in the paradeep area.

Similarly, waste effluents discharged in to streams may enter the aquifer body downstream,
which also affects the groundwater quality. Abbasi et al. (2002) have studied the impacts of
wastewater inputs on the water quality.

Agriculture being the primary consumer is also one of the largest polluters of water in most
developed and developing countries as a result of poor land management and unwise use of
fertilizers and pesticides.

Major Contaminants

Contamination of groundwater can be considered one of the most catastrophic outcomes of so

called 'modernization'. Its global effect can be felt and studied through various researches
conducted worldwide. Presence of various hazardous contaminants like fluoride, arsenic, nitrate,
sulfate, pesticides, other heavy metals etc. in underground water has been reported from different
parts of India (6-10).

A study has been conducted by Meenakshi and R.C. Maheshwari (2006) to tackle the problem of
fluoride concentration in drinking water. Fluoride in minute quantity is an essential component
for normal mineralization of bones and formation of dental enamel (12). However, its excessive
intake may result in slow, progressive crippling scourge known as fluorosis. There are more than
20 developed and developing nations that are endemic for fluorosis. (source). The safe limit of
fluoride in drinking water is 1.0 mg/L. (WHO).

Agriculture makes a significant contribution to the diffuse source contamination of surface and
groundwater resources, particularly contributing to the NO3- contamination of groundwater. For
some regions in India and in Central and South America, fertilizer use is similar to that in some
temperate regions, and leaching can be significant during the rainy season (Goss et al. 1995).
Groundwater fluoride and nitrate contamination greater than the BIS standard was reported in a
total of 266 and 503 blocks (out of 534) in 22 and in 9 districts (out of 37), respectively (Mishra
and Shaw 2009).

Arsenic poisoning of groundwater has become a real hazard throughout Asia as studied by
Chakraborti et al (2003), Mukharjee et al (2001), Bhattacharya et al (2002) and others. Arsenic is
a well known carcinogen that can be found in rocks and soil, water, air, and in plants and
animals. It can also be released into the environment from some agricultural and industrial
sources. In fact, drinking water is a major source of arsenic exposure in some parts of the world.
In parts of Taiwan, Japan, Bangladesh, and western South America, high levels of arsenic occur
naturally in drinking water. (url).

Another well-known toxic heavy metal, Mercury has also been cause of concern in India for past
few decades but no significant preventive measures have been taken so far. A 1999 study that
tested and analyzed groundwater samples from eight places in Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and
Haryana revealed that mercury levels were dangerously high in all the samples. The atmosphere
is the dominant transport vector of mercury to most ecosystems. Most of the mercury found in
the atmosphere is elemental mercury vapour, which circulates in the atmosphere for up to a year,
and hence can be widely dispersed and transported thousands of miles from likely sources of
emission. Mercury also has a long retention time in soils. As a result, mercury that has
accumulated in soils may continue to be released to surface waters and other media for long
periods of time, possibly hundreds of years. (17).

Another serious issue is the higher concentration of iron in drinking water in the country. About
12 states are widely affected with elevated levels of iron in India: the highest affected
populations are in Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, and Orissa (Chakraborti, Das et al. 2010,
Cronin, Prakash et al. 2014).

Other than these, there is a whole spectrum of contaminants that can travel to the sub surface
aquifers and turn them toxic to any living being. As mentioned earlier, fly ash contains almost all
of these toxic elements which must be working as a source of contamination. Our primary focus
will be to determine those parameters and come up with a categorized assessment of
groundwater quality in NTPC Kahalgaon locality.

Common Sources of Groundwater Contamination

Potential man-made sources of groundwater contamination are

Storage Tanks, May contain gasoline, oil, chemicals, or other types of liquids
and they can either be above or below ground

 Septic Systems

 Uncontrolled Hazardous Waste

  Landfills and fertilizers etc.

Groundwater Contamination near Thermal Power Plants

Various researches have been conducted in the past to understand the process of groundwater
contamination near coal based thermal power plants. Enormous amount of fly ash generated
from the burning of coal has become an alarming environmental issue. The fly ash is burned
residue of coal which is dumped in ash ponds of large dimensions. Open dumping of fly ash can
create environmental problems such as contamination of surface and groundwater resources by
leaching process (Nalawade P.M. et al. 2012). A study on soil contamination near Kolaghat
thermal power plant by A. Mandal and D. Sengupta (2006) confirms that the enrichment of soil
in the trace elements Mo, As, Cr, Mn, Cu, Ni, Co, Pb, Be, V, Zn can be attributed to their input
from ash from the disposal ponds.

Fig.(1) A reference map of study area. (Yellow pins show the heavily populated areas in 10
kms radius of ash dyke located in NTPC power plant).

Parameters Considered and Experimental Techniques Used

Table-1

pH Electrometric Method Arsenic (As) AAS Method

Alkalinity Titration Method Cadmium (Cd) AAS Method
TDS Instrumental Method Chromium (Cr) AAS Method
 Total EDTA Titration Method Iron (Fe) AAS Method
Hardness

Experimental Techniques Used as per CPCB Manual

Chloride (Cl-)

Chloride is one of the most common anions found in tap water. Chloride occurs by dissolution of
salt deposits, discharges of effluents from chemical industries, oil well operations and seawater
intrusion in coastal areas. It generally combines with calcium, magnesium, or sodium to form
various salts: for example, sodium chloride (NaCl) is formed when chloride and sodium
combine. Each of these sources may result in local contamination of both surface water and
groundwater.

Chloride occurs naturally in groundwater but is found in greater concentrations where seawater
and run-off from road salts (salts used to de-ice icy roads) can make their way into water
sources.

Although chlorides are harmless at low levels, well water high in sodium chloride can damage
plants if used for gardening or irrigation, and give drinking water an unpleasant taste. Over
time, sodium chloride‟s high corrosivity will also damage plumbing, appliances, and water
heaters, causing toxic metals to leach into your water. Interestingly, there is no federally
enforceable standard for chlorides in drinking water, though the EPA recommends levels no
higher than 250 mg/L to avoid salty tastes and undesirable odours. At levels greater than
this, sodium chloride can complicate existing heart problems and contribute to high blood
pressure when ingested in excess.

We can test the presence of chloride ion with Argentometric method. Chloride is determined in
a natural or slightly alkaline solution by titration with standard silver nitrate, using potassium
chromate as indicator. Silver chloride is quantitative before red silver chromate is formed.

Reagents Used

 Potassium chromate indicator.

 Silver nitrate.

 Sodium chloride

Procedure

a. Take 50mL well mixed sample adjusted to pH 7.0-8.0and add 1.0 mL K2Cr2O7.

b. Titrate with standard AgNO3 solution till AgCrO4 starts precipitating as pale red precipitate.
 pH

Measurement of pH in one of the most important and frequently used tests, as every phase of
water and wastewater treatment and waste quality management is pH dependent. The pH of a
solution is measured as negative logarithm of hydrogen ion concentration. At a given
temperature, the intensity of the acidic or basic character of a solution is indicated by pH or
hydrogen ion concentration. pH values from 0 to 7 are diminishing acidic, 7 to 14 increasingly
alkaline and 7 is neutral.

When there's too much lactic acid in your body both diarrhoea and vomiting can cause this
type of acidosis. Causes can include chronic alcohol use, heart failure, cancer, seizures, liver
failure, prolonged lack of oxygen, and low blood sugar. The pH of water
can indirectly affect your health also corrode plumbing and leach metal. Iron, manganese,
copper, lead and zinc are commonly found in acidic water, but if found in elevated levels, they
could cause a variety of health issues.

Ph is determinated by Electrometric method. The pH is determined by measurement of the

electromotive force (emf) of a cell comprising of an indicator electrode immersed in the test
solution and a reference electrode.Contact is achieved by means of a liquid junction, which
forms a part of the reference electrode. The emf of this cell is measured with pH meter. Since the
pH is defined operationally on a potentiometric scale, the measuring instrument is also calibrated
potentiometrically with an indicating (glass) electrode and a reference electrode using standard
buffers having assigned pH value so that

pHB = -log10 [H+ ]

where pHB = assigned pH of standard buffer.

Reagents and standards

a. pH 4 buffer solution: Dissolve 10.12g potassium hydrogen phthalate, KHC8H4O9 in

distilled water. Dilute to 1L.

b. pH 7 buffer solution: Dissolve 1.361g anhydrous potassium dihydrogen phosphate,

KH2PO4, and 1.42g anhydrous disodium hydrogen phosphate, Na2HPO4, which have been dried
at 110°C. Use distilled water which has been boiled and cooled. Dilute to 1L.

c. pH 9.2 buffer solution: Dissolve 3.81gm borax, Na2B4O7.10H2O in distilled water, which has
been previously boiled and cooled. Dilute to 1L

Procedure

a) Before use, remove electrodes from storage solutions and rinse with distilled water.

b) Dry electrodes by gently blotting with a soft tissue paper, standardise instrument with
electrodes immersed in a buffer solution within 2 pH units of sample pH.

c) Remove electrodes from buffer, rinse thoroughly with distilled water and blot dry.
d) Immerse in a second buffer below pH 10, approximately 3 pH units different from the first,
the reading should be within 0.1 unit for the pH of second buffer.

e) For samples analysis, establish equilibrium between electrodes and sample by stirring
sample to ensure homogeneity and measure pH.

f) For buffered samples, condition the electrodes after cleaning by dipping them into the same
sample, and read pH. g. With poorly buffered solutions (dilute), equilibrate electrodes by
immersing in three or four successive portions of samples. Take a fresh sample and record
the pH.

Alkalinity

Alkalinity is a measure of the acid-neutralising capacity of water.Alkalinity in freshwater

systems is derived from several sources weathering of rocks and soil, exchange reactions in
soils, biological uptake and reduction of strong acid anions, evaporation and precipitation of
minerals, and atmospheric deposition of dust. Precipitation has little if any alkalinity, and in
most systems, weathering is typically the dominant source of alkalinity for groundwater.

Blood is slightly alkaline, with a pH between 7.35 to 7.45 and stomach is very acidic, with a pH
of 3.5 or below, so it can break down food.The alkalinediet claims to help your body maintain
its blood pH level. studies have shown that acidic environments help cancer cells grow. So the
idea is that a diet high in alkaline foods (high pH) and low in acidic foods will raise
the body's pH levels (make the body more alkaline) and prevent or even cure cancer.

Alkalinity of sample can be estimated by titrating with standard sulphuric acid (0.02N) at
room temperature using phenolphthalein and methyl orange indicator. Titration to
decolourisation of phenolphthalein indicator will indicate complete neutralization of OH- and ½
of CO3--, while sharp change from yellow to orange of methyl orange indicator will indicate
total alkalinity (complete neutralisation of OH- , CO3--, HCO3- )

Reagents and standards

a. Standard H2SO4

b. Phenolphthalein indicator

c. Methyl orange indicator

Procedure

a. Take 25 or 50mL sample in a conical flask and add 2-3 drops of phenolphthalein indicator.

b. If pink colour develops titrate with 0.02N H2SO4 till disappears or pH is 8.3. Note the volume
of H2SO4 required.

c. Add 2-3 drops of methyl orange to the same flask, and continue titration till yellow colour
changes to orange. Note the volumes of H2SO4 required.
d. In case pink colour does not appear after addition of phenolphthalein continue as above.

e. Alternatively, perform potentiometric titration to preselected pH using appropriate volume of

sample and titration assembly. Titrate to the end point pH without recording intermediate pH. As
the end point is approached make smaller additions of acid and be sure that pH equilibrium is
reached before adding more titrant. The following pH values are suggested as equivalence points
for corresponding alkalinity as mg CaCO3/L.

Fluoride (F-)

Fluoride ions have dual significant in water supplies. High concentration of F- causes dental
fluorosis (disfiguerment of the teeth). At the same time, a concentration less than 0.8mg/L
results in „dental caries‟. Hence, it is essential to maintain the F- concentration between 0.8 to
1.0mg/L in drinking water. Among the many methods suggested for the determination fluoride
ion in water.

Method Used: Colorimetric Method

Total Hardness

Water hardness is a traditional measure of the capacity of water to precipitate soap. Hardness of
water is not a specific constituent but is a variable and complex mixture of cations and anions. It
is caused by dissolved polyvalent metallic ions. In fresh water, the principal hardness causing
ions are calcium and magnesium which precipitate soap. Other polyvalent cations also may
precipitate soap, but often are in complex form, frequently with organic constituents, and their
role in water hardness may be minimal and difficult to define. Total hardness is defined as the
sum of the calcium and magnesium concentration, both expressed as CaCO3, in mg/L.

Degree of hardness

Although hardness is caused by cation, it may also be discussed in terms of carbonate

(temporary) and non-carbonate (permanent) hardness. Carbonate hardness refers to the amount
of carbonates and bicarbonates in solution that can be removed or precipitated by boiling. This
type of hardness is responsible for the deposition of scale in hot water pipes and kettles. When
total hardness is numerically greater than that of total alkalinity expressed as CaCO3, the amount
of hardness equivalent to alkalinity is called carbonate hardness1. When the hardness is
numerically equal to less than total alkalinity, all hardness is carbonate hardness. The amount of
hardness in excess of total alkalinity expressed as CaCO3 is non-carbonate hardness. Non-
carbonate hardness is caused by the association of the hardness-causing cation with sulphate,
chloride or nitrate and is referred to as “permanent hardness”. This type of hardness cannot be
removed by boiling.

Soft 0-60 mg/L

Medium 60-120 mg/L
Hard 120-180 mg/L
Very Hard >180mg/L
EDTA titration method

Principle

Hardness is determined by the EDTA method in alkaline condition; EDTA and its sodium salts
from a soluble chelated complex with certain metal ions. Calcium and Magnesium ions develop
wine red colour with Eriochrome black T in aqueous solution at pH 10.0 ± 0.1. When EDTA is
added as a titrant, Calcium and Magnesium divalent ions get complexed resulting in sharp
change from wine red to blue which indicates end-point of the titration.

Apparatus

a. Conical flasks 100mL

b. Burette
c. Pipette
d. Spatula

Reagents and Standards

a. Buffer solution
b. Inhibitor
c. Eriochrome black T indicator
d. Murexide indicator
e. Sodium hydroxide
f. Standard EDTA solution 0.01 M
g. Standard calcium solution

Calibration
The EDTA solution needs be standardize against standard calcium solution such that the strength
of EDTA will be 1mL = 1mg as CaCO3
Procedure

Total hardness

a. Take 25 or 50mL well mixed sample in porcelain dish or conical flask.

b. Add 1-2mL buffer solution followed by 1mL inhibitor.
c. Add a pinch of Eriochrome black T and titrate with standard EDTA (0.01M) till wine red
colour changes to blue, note down the volume of EDTA required (A).
d. Run a reagent blank. Note the volume of EDTA (B).
e. Calculate volume of EDTA required by sample, C = (A-B).
f. For natural waters of low hardness, take a larger sample volume, i.e. 100-1000mL for titration
and add proportionately larger amounts of buffer, inhibitor and indicator. Add standard EDTA
titrant slowly from a micro burette and run a blank using redistilled, deionised water of the
same volume as sample. Apply blank correction for computing the results.

UV spectrophotometer method

The method is useful for the water free from organic contaminants and is most suitable for
drinking. Measurement of the ultraviolet absorption at 220 nm enables rapid determination of
nitrate. The nitrate calibration curve follows Beer‟s law upto 11mg/L N. Acidification with 1N
hydrochloric acid is designed to present interference from hydroxide or concentrations up to
1,000mg/L as CaCO3. Chloride has no effect on the determination. Minimum detectable
concentration is 40μg/L NO3 -N.

Principle

Nitrate is determined by measuring the absorbance at 220 nm in sample containing 1mL of

hydrochloric acid (1N) in 100 mL sample. The concentration is calculated from graph from
standard nitrate solution in range 1-11mg/L as N.

Apparatus and equipment

a. Spectrophotometer, for use at 220 nm and 275 nm with matched silica cells of 1cm or longer
light path.
b. Filter: One of the following is required.
i) Membrane filter: 0.45μm membrane filter, and appropriate filter assemble
ii) Paper: Acid-washed, ashless hard-finish filter paper sufficiently retentive for fine
precipitates.
d. Nessler tubes, 50mL, short form.
e.
Reagents and standards

a. Redistilled water: use redistilled water for the preparation of all solutions and dilutions.
b. Stock nitrate solution: dissolve 721.8mg anhydrous potassium nitrate and dilute to 1000ml
with distilled water. 1mL = 100 μg N = 443μg NO3-.
c. Standard nitrate solution: dilute 100mL stock nitrate solution to 1000mL with distilled water.
1mL = 10μg NO3-N = 44.3μg NO3.
d. Hydrochloric acid solution: HCl, 1N.
e. Aluminium hydroxide suspension: dissolve 125g potash alum in 1000mL distilled water.
Warm to 60°C, add 55-60mL NH4OH and allow to stand for 1h. Decant the supernatant and
wash the precipitate a number of times till it is free from Cl, NO2 and NO3. Finally after
setting, decant off as much clean liquid as possible, leaving only the concentrated suspension.

Calibration

Prepare nitrate calibration standards in the range 0 to 350μg N by diluting 1, 2, 4, 7…..35mL of

the standard nitrate solution to 50mL. Treat the nitrate standards in the same manner as the
samples.

Procedure
Read the absorbance or transmittance against redistilled water set at zero absorbance or 100%
transmittance. Use a wavelength of 220 nm to obtain the nitrate reading and, if necessary, a
wavelength of 275nm to obtain interference due to dissolved organic matter.

Chromium (Cr)

Chromium is found chiefly in chome-iron ore. Chromium is used in alloys, in electroplating

andin pigment. Chromium salts are used extensively in industrial processes and may enter a
water supply through the discharge of wastes. Chromate compounds frequently are added to
cooling water for corrosion control. Chromium may exist in water supplies in both the
hexavalent and the trivalents state although the trivalent form rarely occurs in potable water.
FAO recommended the maximum limit for irrigation water as 100μg/L. USEPA drinking water
standard for chromium is 0.1mg/L.

Copper (Cu)

Copper occurs in nature in its native state, but also found in many minerals, the most important
of which are those containing sulphide compounds, but also those with oxides or carbonates.
Copper salts are used in water supply systems to control biological growth of reservoirs and
distribution pipes and to catalyse in oxidation of manganese. Corrosion of copper-containing
alloys in pipe fitting may introduce measurable amounts of copper into the water in a pipe
system. FAO recommended maximum level for irrigation water is 200μg/L. US EPA drinking
water standard for chromium and copper is 1 mg/L. BIS limit for copper is 0.05 mg/L.

Iron (Fe)

Iron occurs in the minerals as hematite, taconite and pyrite. It is widely used in steel and other
alloys. Elevated iron levels in water can cause stains in plumbing, laundry and cooking utensils
and can
impart objectionable taste and colour to foods. The United Nations FAO recommended level for
irrigation water is 5mg/L. The US EPA secondary drinking water standard MCL is 0.3mg/L. The
BIS standard desirable limit is 0.3mg/L.

Field work and characterization

The field work is related to the collection of samples. For the purpose of sample collection the
study area was the region around NTPC Super Thermal Power Plant Kahalgaon. An area of
about 10 km radius was considered around the ash pond.

In this investigation, a total of 28 samples were collected during May month for pre-Monsoon
period. Water levels in the region varied from 20 feet to 200 feet as per interviews of the locals.
A T200 Digital TDS Meter was used to measure in-situ data such as Electrical Conductivity,
TDS, Salinity, pH and Temperature. The samples were collected after 5 minutes of pumping and
stored in properly washed polyethylene bottles. All of the samples were analysed within 4 days
of collection, hence no preservation was required. Samples were tested for Alkalinity, Total
Hardness, Fluoride, Chloride and Metal Ions such as Zinc, Lead, Chromium and Arsenic. Test
Methods followed were the standard procedures recommended by Central Pollution Control
Board. To get a comprehensive picture of overall quality of groundwater, the WQI was used.
WQI is defined as a rating reflecting the composite influence of different water quality
parameters on the overall quality of water. The Indian standard specified for drinking water
(BIS, 1991) was used for the calculation of WQI. The WQI was computed through three steps.
First, each of the 6 parameters (pH, TDS, total hardness, Cl, F and Zn) was assigned a weight
(wi) according to its relative importance in the overall quality of water for drinking purposes.
The minimum weight 1 was assigned to zinc because of its insignificant role. Other parameters
such as pH, TDS, total hardness, Cl, F were assigned weights between 1 and 5 based on their
relative significance in the water quality evaluation.

Second, the relative weight (Wi) of the chemical parameter was

computed using the following equation:

Where,

Wi is the relative weight,

wi is the weight of each parameter, and

n is the number of parameters.

pH 6.5-8.5 4 0.2857
TDS 500-2000 4 0.2857
Total Hardness 300-600 2 0.1429
Chloride 250-1000 3 0.2143
Zinc 5-15 1 0.0714
∑wi = 14 ∑Wi =1
Calculated relative weight (Wi) values of each parameter are given in Table. In the third step, a
quality rating scale (qi) for each parameter is assigned by dividing its concentration in each
water sample by its respective standard according to guidelines (BIS, 1991), and the result is
multiplied by 100:

Where,

qi is the quality rating,

ci is the concentration of each chemical parameter in each water sample in mg/L, and

Si is the Indian drinking water standard for each chemical parameter in mg/L.

For computing WQI, the sub index (SI) is first determined for each chemical parameter, as given
below:

Where,

SIi is the sub index of ith parameter;

Wi is relative weight of ith parameter;

qi is the rating based on concentration of ith parameter, and

n is the number of chemical parameters.

The computed WQI values are classified into five categories:

Results and Discussion

 Location Alkalinity Location Alkalinity
(mg/l CaCO3) (mg/l CaCO3)
N1 336.6 N15 342.5
N2 327.5 N16 580.83
N3 280 N17 260
N4 211.5 N18 315
N5 322.5 N19 156.2
N6 390.83 N20 376.7
N7 460 N21 498.7
N8 398.7 N22 394
N9 401.33 N23 416.7
N10 424 N24 553.3
N11 390.83 N25 316.5
N12 270 C 100
N13 315 R1 398
N14 345 R2 533.3
Sample Data. 1

Location Total Hardness Location Total Hardness

(mg/l CaCO3) (mg/l CaCO3)
N1 209.17 N15 364.67
N2 242.5 N16 289.17
N3 207.5 N17 194.25
N4 133.33 N18 207.5
N5 201.67 N19 112.5
N6 220.83 N20 253.3
N7 201.3 N21 421.05
N8 293.3 N22 193.3
N9 139.2 N23 175
N10 200 N24 138.3
N11 118.33 N25 78.33
N12 228.25 C 219.17
N13 250.83 R1 91.66
N14 183.33 R2 396.66
Sample Data. 2
Location pH EC (mu- Salinity TDS Temperature
s) (mg/l) (mg/l) (oC)

N1 6.72 1634 814 1004 32.1

N2 6.81 1923 954 1290 31.6

N3 7.04 1056 522 708 29.4

N4 6.75 755 374 510 29.3

N5 7.00 1331 665 890 28.5

N6 7.10 1977 989 1318 26.5

N7 6.96 884 440 516 28

N8 6.79 1595 805 1078 28.7

N9 6.93 779 385 506 28.4

N10 6.90 1170 586 782 30.2

N11 6.90 560 278 374 30.5

N12 7.00 1170 581 767 30.3

N13 6.93 1890 913 1260 28.9

N14 6.97 1180 590 789 33.6

N15 6.92 283 141 188 29.3

N16 6.84 296 171 228 32.1

N17 6.90 1496 750 997 27.9

N18 6.92 360 180 240 31.5

N19 6.82 260 128 174 27.8

N20 6.90 1738 867 1155 28.5

N21 6.83 1611 800 1070 28.5

N22 6.88 1150 568 770 31.5

 N23 7.04 1025 520 690 32.2

N24 7.17 1073 537 720 28.5

N25 7.01 526 264 352 28.5

C 8.59 1413 706 942 31.5

R1 6.91 860 430 573 33.5

R2 6.73 1715 864 1449 33.5

Sample Data. 3 (In-Situ)

Location Chloride Location Chloride

(mg/l) (mg/l)
N7 30 N22 130
N9 140 N23 230
N10 70 N24 50
N18 230 C 180
N20 260 R1 90
N21 90 R2 320
Sample Data. 4

Basic statistics of the physiochemical parameters of groundwater samples:

Parameters Min Max Mean Median Standard

Deviation

pH 6.72 7.17 6.91 6.91 0.1071

EC 260 1977 1132.5 1160 516.416

TDS 174 1449 762.143 768.5 358.94

TH 78.33 421.05 213 204.58 82.24

Alkalinity 100 580.83 361.27 360.85 107.87

Cl- 30 320 151.67 135 88.12

Zn
The pH shows acidic to slightly basic nature of groundwater in study area (6.72 to 7.17).
Electrical conductivity has a maximum value of 1977 mu-s/cm with an average of 1132.5 mu-
s/cm indicating moderate to high mineralization in the area. With respect to TDS, the water
quality in the study area can be considered fair (600 to 900 mg/l) with some exceptions in areas
like Bholsar, Ekchari, Masdoha, Sharaffudinpur, Madarganj, Bansipur, Sobhnathpur and
Shahpur Ghogha. As for total hardness, 12 out of 28 samples fall in moderate to hard range
while 16 samples are very hard and not suitable for drinking purposes as per WHO
specifications for drinking water. Water from three places indicated very high hardness values
(364, 396, 421 mg/l of CaCO3) respectively at Bholsar, Ogri and Dhanaura . Chloride
concentration varies from 30 mg/l to 320 mg/l with an average of 151.67 mg/l which is within
the desirable limits as per BIS (10500-1991). Fluoride concentration in the region is <1mg/l
which is less than required for bone and teeth health.

Heavy Metals.

Water Quality Index [21]

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