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Study on ground water quality of Bhavani taluk, Erode district, Tamilnadu, India

Article  in  International Journal of Earth Sciences and Engineering · April 2014

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www.cafetinnova.org April 2014, P.P.475-478
ISSN 0974-5904, Volume 07, No. 02

Study on Ground Water Quality of Bhavani Taluk, Erode District,

Tamilnadu, India
J. ABDUL BARI AND G. VENNILA
Dept of Civil Engineering, K. S. Rangasamy College of Technology, Tiruchengode – 637 215, INDIA
Email: abdul_bari4my@yahoo.co.in, vennilajagan@gmail.com

Abstract: Water is an important source of human life. The present paper deals with the ground water quality
analysis of Bhavani Taluk, Erode District, Tamilnadu, India. The ground water samples were collected from 25
different locations during pre-monsoon season in the study area and they were analyzed for the following physico-
chemical analysis, pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Total Hardness as CaCo 3, Calcium(Ca+), Magnesium(Mg), Electrical
Conductivity, Chloride, Sulphate and Nitrate. The results were compared with IS 10500 specifications and WHO
standards and conclusions were made for suitability of use of water for drinking purposes.
Key Words: Ground Water Quality, Physico- Chemical Analysis, IS 10500 specifications and WHO standards.

1. Introduction: falls in southern parts of Erode district which covers

Water is the basic requirement for all the natural
resources in the earth. A potable safe drinking water is
the basic need for all the human beings in the earth [1].
The ground water is the major important source of water
supply for the drinking and irrigation purpose which is
commonly used in both rural and urban areas [2].
Increasing population and daily activities of human
being and sewage disposals in surrounding areas [3] will
leads to contamination of ground water. Consequently
many water borne diseases is present in ground water
which causes effects on health of human being [4].
Hence water quality analysis is an important issue to
analyse the various physico- chemical parameters. The
main objective of this paper is to study the various
physico- chemical parameters of ground water in
Bhavani Taluk, Erode District.
1.1. Need for Study:
Ground water occurs in weathered portions of rocks and
it gets contaminated due to chemical constituents
present in it [5]. The major ground water pollution
sources are natural sources and waste disposals
activities in the specified area. Due to this pollution, the
ground water gets polluted because of daily activities of
human beings [6]. The polluted ground water will have
ill effects on the health of human beings, so the water
quality analysis is necessary for drinking usages in the
present study area.
1.2. Study Area:
The study area Bhavani Taluk is in Erode district. The
district lies on extreme north of state of Tamilnadu with
total geographic area of 8200 sq.km and Bhavani Taluk
area of 1503.72 sq.km with 3 block (Bhavani, Ammapet
and Anthiyoor) which is shown in figure1, between
North Latitude of 11019'05'' & 12021'05'' and East
longitude of 770 42’05’’& 770 42’05’’, with an elevation
of 171.91meters above the mean sea level.
2. Materials and Methods:
2.1. Sample Collections:
The ground water samples were collected for 25
different locations of Bhavani Taluk during pre-
monsoon season. The water samples were collected in
such a way of bore wells and dug wells in a sterilized
one liter capacity of polythene container without any
bubbles and were carried out to the laboratory
immediately for analyzing the various physico chemical
parameter like pH, Total Dissolved Solids, and Total
Hardness as CaCo3, Calcium, Magnesium, Electrical
Conductivity, Chloride, Sulphate and Nitrate. All the
samples were stored in a cool place until the analysis
was completed.
2.2. Physico- chemical Analysis:
All the 25 number of samples collected from the study
area were properly labeled and the sampling points are
numbered as S1 to S25 (i.e. S1, S2, S3 ….S25).
To analyze the various physico-chemical parameters,
the methods which are shown in Table 1 were adopted
[7].
3. Results and Discussion:
The Physico- chemical parameters which were analysed
in the pre-monsoon seasons are shown in Table 2 and
the following points were discussed.

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 Study on Ground Water Quality of Bhavani Taluk, Erode District, Tamilnadu, India
476

3.1. pH: specifications and WHO standards. Magnesium content

ranges between 36mg/l to 190mg/l in the water samples.
pH is the most important parameter in water bodies [8].
All the samples are within the prescribed limit of
pH is a measure of intensely of acidity or alkalinity and
100mg/l as mentioned by IS 10500 specifications and
the concentration of hydrogen ion of water. The
WHO standards except the samples S9, S16, S18 and
desirable range of pH as per IS 10500 specifications [9]
S19. High concentration of Magnesium will have effect
and WHO standards [10] for drinking purpose are 6.5 to
in use of domestic water [11].
8.5. Deviations in this range indicate the acidic or basic
medium. The pH value of water sample in the study 3.5. Electrical Conductivity (E.C):
area ranges from 7.7 to 8.4. This shows that pH of water
Electrical Conductivity is a measure of water capacity to
samples was slightly alkaline. The alkaline nature of the
convey electric current. It signifies the total amount of
ground water is due to chemicals and soaps mixed with
total dissolved solids [13]. The water samples collected
water which is produced from industrial and residential
in the study region are having EC in the range of 4500
areas [11].
micro-ohms/cm to 2950 micro-ohms/cm. All the
3.2. Total Dissolved Solids (TDS): samples are within the prescribed limit as per IS 10500
and WHO standards except the samples S9, S11, S16
The suitability of ground water can be obtained by
and S18.
classifying ground water depending upon the Total
Dissolved solids (TDS) values. TDS is a measure of 3.6. Chloride (Cl):
combined content of all inorganic and organic
The Chloride concentration servers as an indicator of
substances. The permissible limit of TDS for drinking
pollution by sewage. People using higher chloride
purposes is 500mg/l to 2000 mg/l as per IS 10500
content in water are subjected to laxative effects [14].
specifications and WHO standards. If the TDS value is
The chloride content of the water samples ranges from
more than permissible limit, the water is not suitable for
18mg/l to 397mg/l are within the permissible limit of
drinking purpose [12]. The observation shows that TDS
100mg/l as per IS 10500 specifications and WHO
values are within the permissible limits which range
standards.
from 221mg/l to 1686 mg/l. The water samples are
identified as fresh water (if TDS is <1000mg/l), 3.7. Sulphate (SO4):
Brackish Water (if TDS is 1000mg/l to 10,000mg/l) and
The sulphate ranges between 6mg/l to 408mg/l, only
Saline Water (if TDS >10,000mg/l). The natures of
one sample in the present study area is exceeding the
water which are classified based on above values are
permissible as per IS 10500 specifications and WHO
given in Table 3.
standards.
3.3. Total Hardness (T.H):
3.7. Nitrate (NO3):
Calcium and magnesium mostly cause the hardness of
Nitrogen is a major constituent of atmosphere. Soil
water. The total hardness of water is the sum of
bacteria convert it into nitrite and nitrate. The
temporary and permanent hardness. The maximum
concentration of nitrogen ranges from 1mg/l to 218mg/l,
permissible level prescribed by IS 10500 and WHO
where the maximum permissible limit for the drinking
standards for the drinking water is 600mg/l. According
water is 45mg/l as per IS 10500 specifications and
to these classifications, the water having total hardness
WHO standards. Total of 15 samples were exceeding
up to 75mg/l is considering as soft, 76mg/l to 150mg/l is
the permissible limits. So it needs a treatment for a safe
moderately soft, and 151mg/l to 300mg/l is found to be
drinking purpose in those samples.
hard and more than 300mg/l is found to be very hard
water. Table 4, shows the nature of water which is 4. Conclusion:
classified as soft, moderately hard, hard and very hard
The results obtained from Physico- chemical parameters
water. The total hardness was found in the sample water
for the various sampling points in the present study area
ranges from 210mg/l to 900mg/l. The values for
shows that, most of the parameters are within the
samples from the point S9, S16 & S18 were higher than
prescribed limits as specified by IS 10500 and WHO
the prescribed limit. Most of the samples in the study
standards except a few parameters like Total Hardness
are is found to be very hard water.
(S9, S16 & S18), Magnesium (S9, S16, S18 and S19),
3.4. Calcium (Ca+) & Magnesium (Mg): Electrical conductivity (S9, S11, S16 and S18) in less
places in the study area and nitrate content is exceeding
Calcium and magnesium are directly related to
the permissible limits in more places in the study region
hardness. Calcium concentration ranges between 16mg/l
(S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S8, S9, S10, S11, S14, S18,
to 100mg/l which is found to be present within the
S19, S20, S24), which means that it should be treated
prescribed limit of 200mg/l specified by IS 10500
well before it is used for drinking purpose. The results

International Journal of Earth Sciences and Engineering

ISSN 0974-5904, Vol. 07, No. 02, April, 2014, pp. 475-478
 477 J. ABDUL B ARI AND G. VENNILA
of the present works also recommends that the water in
the study region is fit for drinking and domestic usages
with a proper treatment for a fewer parameters in few
sampling points.
5. Acknowledgements:
The authors are grateful to the reviewers Dr. M
Thanikachalam, Professor, Department of Civil
Engineering, Velammal Engineering College, Chennai,
Dr. S. Gopalakrishnan (Professor and Head, Department
of Civil Engineering, EBET Group of Institution,
Nathakadaiyur) and to the Editor in Chief, Professor
D.Venkat Reddy, for their helpful comments and
suggestions for improving the quality of this paper.
6. Reference:
[1] Kavitha. R and Elangovan. K., (2010). Ground
water quality characteristics at Erode district,
Tamilnadu India, International Journal of
Environmental sciences, Volume 1, No 2, pp 145-
150.
[2] Saravanakumar. K and Ranjith Kumar. R, (2011).
Analysis of water quality parameters of ground
water near Ambattur industrial area, Tamil Nadu,
India, Indian Journal of Science and Tech, Vol 4,
No 5, pp 660-662.
[3] Dhivya Pranavam T. S, Venkatesa Rao. T,
Punithavathi L, Karunanithi. S and Bhaskaran,
(2011). Groundwater pollution in the Palar
Riverbed near Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India, Indian
Journal of Science and Tech, Vol 4, No.1, pp 19-
21.
[4] Nirmala. B and Ranjitha. N. J, (2011). Physico
Chemical analysis of ground water of selected areas
of Mysore City, Karnataka, India, World Rural
Observations, 3(3): pp 88-91.
[5] N. Palanisamy, A. Geetha, M. Sujatha, P.
Sivakumar and K. Karunakaran, (2007).
Assessment of Ground Water Qulaity in and around
Gobichettipalayam Town, Erode district,
Table1: Methods Used for Estimation of Various Physico-Chemical Parameters
Parameters
Ph
Total Dissolved Solids
Total Hardness
Electrical Conductivity
Chloride
Sulphate
Table2: Physico-Chemical Parameters Results for Sampling Points
International Journal of Earth Sciences and Engineering
ISSN 0974-5904, Vol. 07, No. 02, April, 2014, pp. 475-478
Tamilnadu, E-Journal of Chemistry, Vol \ 4, No.3,
pp 434 – 439.
[6] Subramani .T, Krishnan. S, Kumaresan. P. K,
(2012). Study of Groundwater Quality with GIS
Application for Coonoor Taluk in Nilgiri District,
International Journal of Modern Engineering
Research (IJMER), Vol.2 Issue 3, pp 586-592.
[7] ICMR Standards (1985), Standard Methods for
Examination of Water.
[8] R. Shyamala, M. Shanthi and P. Lalitha, (2008).
Physico chemical analysis of bore well water
samples of Telungupalayam area in Coimbatore
district, Tamilnadu, India, E- Journal of Chemistry,
Vol.5, No.4, pp 924- 929.
[9] IS 10500 Drinking Water specifications 1992
(reaffirmed 1993)
[10] WHO (2004). International standards of drinking
water, World Health organization, Geneva.
[11] R. Radhakrishnan, K. Dharmaraj and B. D.
Ranjithakumari, (2007). A Comparative study on
physico chemical and bacterial analysis of drinking,
borewell and sewage water in the three different
places of Sivakasi, Journal of Environmental
Biology, 28(1), pp 105-108.
[12] Sandeep Arya, Vinit Kumar, Minakshi and Anshu
Dhaka, (2011). Assessment of Underground water
quality: A case study of Jhansi City, Uttar pardesh,
India, International Multidisciplinary Research
Journal, 1/7, pp 11-14.
[13] Meenambal. M, Pugazhendy. K, Vasantharaja. C,
Venkatesan. S, Jayanthi. C, (2011). Effect of Paper
Mill Effluent on the groundwater quality in and
around Adikaripatti area of Salem, Tamilnadu,
Golden Research thoughts, Vol 1, Issue III/, pp.1-4.
[14] S. Devi and R. Premkumar, (2012).
Physicochemical Analysis of Ground water samples
near industrial area, Cuddalore District, Tamilnadu,
India, International Journal of Chem Tech
Research, Vol.4, No.1, pp 29-34.
Method
pH meter
Conductivity meter
EDTA Titration
Conductometer
Silver nitrate method
Turbidometric method
 Study on Ground Water Quality of Bhavani Taluk, Erode District, Tamilnadu, India
478

Max. Permissible Limits

Parameters Range Max Min Mean Median SD IS10500 WHO
Specification Standards
pH 7.7 to 8.4 8.012 8.4 7.7 8.4 17.4 8.5 8.5
TDS 221 to 1335 786.4 1335 221 221 863.1 2000 2000
T.H 210 to 900 431 900 210 210 445.16 600 600
Ca 16 to 100 46.38 100 16 24 30.13 200 200
Mg 36 to 190 76.48 190 36 36 63.06 100 100
E.C 450 to 2950 1396.4 2950 450 450 1507.9 2000 2000
Cl 18 to397 149.56 397 18 18 157.22 1000 1000
SO4 6 to 408 78.4 408 6 19 106.17 400 400
NO3 1 to 218 63.96 218 1 2 69.01 45 45
Note: All the values are expressed in mg/l except pH (No unit) and Electrical Conductivity (micro-ohms/cm)
Table3: Nature of Water based on TDS
TDS Values in mg/l Nature of Water Total number of Samples
<1000 Fresh Water 18
1000 to 10,000 Brackish Water 07
>10,000 Saline Water NIL
Table4: Nature of Water based on Total Hardness (T.H)
T.H Values in mg/l Nature of Water Total number of Samples
< 75 Soft Water NIL
76 to 150 Moderately Hard Water NIL
151 to 300 Hard Water 08
> 300 Very Hard Water 17

Fig1: Key Map for the Study Area

International Journal of Earth Sciences and Engineering

ISSN 0974-5904, Vol. 07, No. 02, April, 2014, pp. 475-478

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