Water Quality Index Assessment of Groundwater in the Central Ganga Plain with Reference to Raebareli District, Uttar Pradesh, India
Saurabh Shukla, Abhishek Saxena
Abstract
The major problem of groundwater contamination primarily in the Indo-Gangetic alluvium is of fluoride, nitrate, arsenic, iron and salinity. One such area is Raebareli district, Uttar Pradesh, India representing the central Indo-Gangetic alluvium, where groundwater contamination through fluoride, nitrate and salinity has already been reported. However, a comprehensive picture pertaining to water quality as a whole has not been published yet. The present study deals with the changes in water quality parameters in groundwater samples of Raebareli district to present a wholesome picture. The results for water quality index (WQI) show that 7% samples in the study area are in the class of 'unsuitable for drinking' purposes, with WQI value as high as 411.5. Moreover, the results suggest that 57% and 43% of the samples in the premonsoon and post-monsoon period respectively, are under the category of 'poor' water. This study will enable the government authorities to suggest alternate drinking water sources in the affected area.