Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

DRINKING WATER QUALITY WITH RESPECT TO FLUORIDE, NITRATE, ARSENIC AND IRON CONTENT IN DHRFLJI DISTRICT, ASSAM

Mridul Buragohain, Bhabajit Bhuyan and Hari Prasad Sarma

Abstract

When water is unfit for its intended use, it is considered polluted. In order to combat water pollution, we must understand the problems and become part of the solution.There is no earlier data available for various water quality parameters in Dhemaji district of Assam, India.The present research is undertaken with a specific view to strengthen the national and local water quality database.Tvventy five water samples were analysed for pH, total hardness,fluoride, nitrate, arsenic and iron contents by adopting standard methods (APHA-AVVVVA-WPCF, 1995). The results were evaluated in accordance with the VV.H.0 Standards.The variation of pH was narrow in the study area.Water was fairly hard for maximum part of the study and had crossed the maximum limit prescribed by W.H.0 (250mg/L) for potability purposes.The values for fluoride in water ranged from 0.53mg/L to 0.83 mg/L. Most of the water samples in the present study meets or falls below the current W.H.0 standard for arsenic and nitrate. Iron concentration in water exceeds the W.H.0 guide line value of 0.3 mg/L in all the cases.The iron contents of tube well waters need immediate atten- tion.