Assessment of Ground Water Quality in Different Villages Situated near Musi River Basin in Ghatkesar Mandal of Ranga Reddy District in Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

Water is a most precious resource which the nature has given to the mankind and other living beings. Its excessive and wrong use creates numerous problems. The quality of ground water plays a vital role in assessing the availability of safe water for miscellaneous uses such as drinking, irrigation and industrial use. City based effluents entering into the Musi river in Hyderabad region of Andhra Pradesh deteriorates water quality in several ways. The present study was conducted to assess the ground water quality of sixteen (16) villages of Ghatkesar mandal in Ranga Reddy district, Andhra Pradesh in the vicinity of Musi river. Water analysis was done for pH, electrical conductivity, carbonates, bicarbonates, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, Residual Sodium Carbonate, (RSC) Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) and fluoride. Almost all the water samples were found safe from the view point of pH, carbonates, bicarbonates, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, RSC, SAR and fluoride. However, from the view point of electrical conductivity which is measure of soluble salts (salinity), water samples (25 %) collected from Sadataliguda, Jodimetla, Annojiguda and Narapally villages were found safe for irrigation purpose, whereas, the samples collected from Mathwaliguda, Maqta, Tenuguguda, and Venkatapur villages (25 %) were doubtful from the point of their suitability for irrigation. The samples collected from Peerjadiguda, Parvathapur, Kachavanisingaram, Pratapsingaram, Korremula, Chowdarguda, Medipally, and Boduppal (50 %) were unsuitable for irrigation purpose because of higher EC values. The salty water can be used for irrigation, if mixed with good quality water. Fluoride content was found within the safe limits (0.02-0.07 m.eq.L-1).