Evaluation of Groundwater Quality and Its Suitability for Drinking and Agriculture Use: A Case Study of 06 Quality Affected Watersheds in Kolhapur District, Maharashtra, India

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Kumbhar K.S., Baride M.V, Golekar R.B

Abstract

Groundwater is an important component of water resources for human survivaland economic development in any regions of the world. Human activities andenvironmental change have imposed considerable impacts on groundwaterquality. Thus the present studies were carried out for physico-chemical quality ofgroundwater with reference to their suitability for drinking and irrigation use. Forthis purpose 6 watersheds has been chosen (viz. KR 55, KR 63, KR 64, KR 66, KR 71and KR 77) from Shirol, Gadhinglaj, Bhudargad and Radhanagari Talukas locatedin Kolhapur district, Maharashtra (India). Forty eight groundwater samples werecollected and analysed their physico-chemical characteristics such as pH, EC, TDS,alkalinity, total hardness, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, Cl- , SO42–, HCO3-, CO32-, NO3-, F-and Fe2+ to understand the sources of contaminant. The quality of the groundwaterfrom the study area is mainly dominated by calcium bicarbonate type. The otherdominant parameters is chloride in the groundwater from the study area due todisproportionate use of inorganic fertilizers, landfill leachate, septic tank effluents,animal feeds, industrial effluents and irrigation drainage. In general, hardness,calcium, magnesium and potassium in the groundwater samples from the studyarea is exceed the permissible limit prescribed by bureau of Indian standards.Based on the irrigation parameters (Sodium Adsorption Ratio and Residualsoluble carbonate), the groundwater quality is assessed and the overall irrigationqualities of wells are demarcated as suitable for irrigation except few locations

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