Rainwater Quality Analysis in Selected Areas of Eastern and North-eastern India

Rainwater is an important source of fresh water especially for those who live in rural areas, where water use is limited due to scarcity or where surface and underground water quality is poor. The growing trend of industrialization has marked impact on the atmospheric chemistry around the globe. Such impacts are also predicted for developing countries like India. Rainwater quality analysis is, therefore, carried out to understand the problems of rainwater contamination with various pollutants. In the present study rainwater quality has been monitored at six different sites in Eastern and Northeastern India (i.e. Irongmara, Kolkata, Kharagpur, Dolaigaon, Bongaigaon, BGR Township) with respect to their physico-chemical parameters. The samples were collected using PVC bottles and the parameters measured were pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and nitrate. The mean pH value of the rainwater obtained was 5.91±0.49 during the sampling period. The mean conductivity value of the rainwater during the study period was 24.25±9.35. The values of pH in rainwater samples were relatively within the World Health Organization (WHO) standard for drinking water. The study revealed that the precipitation tends to be slightly acidic in nature with a mean pH value of 5.91.It is also observed that rainwater contamination may not be restricted to industrial areas alone but vehicular emission may also contribute significantly in certain areas.