ASSESSING THE WATER QUALITY INDEX (WQI) OF LOHARA VILLAGE, CHANDRAPUR DISTRICT, CENTRAL INDIA

Abstract

: Water quality index alters the complex water analysis data into single digit that present the overall quality of water based on the parameters at that particular place and time. The groundwater samples were collected during the three seasons from the five sites of Lohara village, Chandrapur district. Analysis of water parameters were carried out in the Institute of Higher Learning, Research and Specialized Studies in Environmental Science, Sardar Patel Mahavidyalaya, Chandrapur. For the endurance of any species on the earth the most essential necessity is water. This requirement is fulfilled through surface and groundwater. In India a major portion of population i.e. approximately 80% depends on the groundwater and is considered as one of the major sources for various purposes. The present study focus on the physical and chemical parameters of the groundwater of Lohara village located in Chandrapur District. The samples were collected from the five different sites during the three seasons and their physical and chemical parameters were analyzed. On the basis of the results, the water quality index was determined. In water quality index, value below 25 indicates the water quality as excellent, value between 26-50 represent good water quality, among 51-75 indicates poor water quality, very poor water quality values exist between 76-100, while above 100 value in the water quality index shows that the water is unsuitable for drinking purpose. It is concluded that the seasonal variation slightly influenced the physico-chemical characteristics of study area. According to the Water quality Index, it is revealed that in all the three seasons that are summer, monsoon and winter, the water quality was found to be 103.29, 97.47 and 106.46 respectively indicating in summer and winter the groundwater was unsuitable for drinking while in monsoon the quality of groundwater was very poor of Lohara village, Chandrapur district.