Drinking Water Quality Assessment Using WQI in Bhokardan Area of Jalna District, Maharashtra State

The quality of surface and ground water resources is deteriorating with time due to numerous natural and anthropogenic sources of pollution. As surface and ground water is major source of drinking water in rural area in the study area, made essential to monitor its quality regularly. Water Quality Index (WQI) show a significant role and a useful tool for evaluating the overall quality of water aimed for drinking purpose. This method converts the complex and large data on water quality trends to a single value which can be easily understandable to the common public, local governing bodies and policymakers. In the present research work an attempt was made to check suitability of surface and ground water for drinking purpose using Water Quality Index method. The water quality was estimated by analyzing selected physico-chemical parameters which play significant role in determining water quality such as pH, Alkalinity, Electrical Conductivity, Fluoride, Chloride, Nitrate, Sulphate, Potassium, Total Hardness, E. Coli, Turbidity, Total Dissolved Solids, Dissolved Oxygen and Biochemical Oxygen Demand. Total 32 surface and 35 ground water samples were collected from different selected locations in the study area during pre and post-monsoon seasons respectively. The overall results revealed that almost all the surface water sources from the Bhokardan area, Jalna District, India was found unsuitable for drinking purposes. The application of WQI method to evaluate sequential variations in surface as well as ground water quality was therefore found suitable and effective tool for monitoring and proper management of drinking water resources.