STUDIES ON GROUND WATER QUALITY OF PATAN CITY, NORTH GUJARAT, INDIA

摘要

The present study deals with the ground water quality of Patan city, north Gujarat. The ground water quality was assessed by examining various physico-chemical and bacteriological characteristics. The bore well water samples were collected from north, south, east and west zones of Patan city during summer, winter and monsoon seasons. The physico-chemical and bacteriological parameters like temperature, turbidity, pH, EC, dissolved oxygen, free CO_2, total hardness, Ca and Mg hardness, TDS. total alkalinity, chloride, sulphate, nitrite, total iron, fluoride and MPN of coliforms have been analysed. Total alkalinity, TDS, Ca-hardness, sulphate, total iron, fluoride and MPN count of coliforms were above the permissible limit as per IS: 10500 (BIS 1991). All the samples collected from Patan city were rated as unacceptable for their taste on the basis of TDS values and hard on the basis of total hardness. Waters with 300-400 mg/L sulphate have a bitter taste and those with 1000 mg/L or more sulphate may cause intestinal disorders. Total iron values exceeded the permissible limit and imparted bitter astringent taste to the water. The present investigation revealed that Patan city is facing the problem of high fluoride concentration in bore well samples employed for drinking purpose. Fluoride in concentration beyond 1.5 mg/L causes dental fluorosis. The bore well samples from north and east zones were regarded as bacteriologically unsafe for drinking purpose. The defluoridation and disinfection of bore well water of Patan city were the two principal measures recommended to ensure the health of population residing in this area.