T. MOHANAKAVITHA AND T. MEENAMBAL
Abstract
The present work is aimed at assessing the water quality index (WQI) for the groundwater in downstream side of the Kalingarayan canal, Erode district. This has been determined by collecting groundwater samples at the time of flow in the canal and also at the time of non flow in the canal and subjecting the samples to a comprehensive physico - chemical analysis. For calculating the water quality index, ten critical parameters have been considered: pH, total hardness, calcium, magnesium, bicarbonate, chloride, total dissolved solids iron, sulphate, and nitrate. The study showed that all water samples were within the standard permissible limit prescribed by WHO and ISI standards for irrigation. The WQI for these samples ranged from 69.05 and 91.77. The analysis reveals that the ground water at the time of flow, non flow, can be considered fit for human consumption and irrigation.