M. Lenin Sundar, P. Sankar and S. Varun Venkatraman
Abstract
The pollution of tank water has resulted to the contamination of the groundwater which is a primary source (except drinking purpose) of the habitants around Coimbatore Big tank and Ukkadam, Coimbatore. Two sets of six groundwater samples were collected during the month of January and March 2013. Various Physio chemical characteristics like pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Turbidity, Alkalinity, Total Hardness, Chloride, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Nitrate, Sulphate and Dissolved Oxygen were performed on the samples collected. Based on the results obtained from these tests, Water Quality Index (WQI) was calculated using Weighted Arithmetic Index Method for the sample locations. The results of these calculations were revealed that the WQI were ranged between 70 and 115 which represents that the groundwater quality was in the range of very poor to unfit for drinking purposes. G-1 was shown the lowest WQI value (70.18) and indicated that the pollution was less when compared with other samples. The values of all parameters of G- 1 sample exhibited reduction in concentrations when compared with the other samples. G-2 showed high WQI value (115) due to extremely high concentrations of all parameters. Samples G-3, G-4 and G-6 had very poor drinking water quality and sample G-1 was poor in quality for drinking. Samples G-2 and G-5 were found unfit for drinking purposes. Except G-2 and G-5, in other sample locations the WQI values decreased when compared to the January month and showed slight improvement in groundwater quality.