The chemical characteristics of groundwater in Raigad district of Maharashtra have been studied
to evaluate the suitability of water for irrigation and domestic uses. Sixty seven water samples
from dug wells, bore wells and observatory bore wells are collected and analyzed for pH, EC,
TDS, TH, Na, K, Ca, Mg, CO3, HCO3, Cl, F, SO4 and NO3. It is observed that the quality of
groundwater is suitable for domestic purpose with few exceptions. High SAR, %Na and RSC in
most groundwater samples suggest that the waters are not suitable for irrigation. Doneen’s
permeability index classifies water good for irrigation.
Water quality concerns have often been neglected because good quality water supplies are
in abundance and readily available. This situation is now changing in many areas.
With rapid urbanization and industrialization, the demand for groundwater resources has
increased manifold. Overexploitation of groundwater causes a deterioration of water quality
for domestic as well as irrigation purposes.
A number of studies have been carried out to assess the quality of groundwater in different
parts of the country (Nawlakhe et al., 1995; Singh et al., 1996; Jain et al.,1996; Jain et al., 1997;
Ballukraya and Ravi, 1999; Mukherjee et al., 1999; Mohan et al., 2000; Singh, 2002;
Singh et al., 2002; Mukherjee et al., 2005; and Mukherjee et al., 2006). Mukherjee (1996)
also found that a change in river courses in related aquifer system might lead to poor
hydraulic conductivity, which ultimately may lead to deterioration of groundwater quality.
This study attempts to evaluate the groundwater quality of Raigad district, Maharashtra for
irrigation as well as domestic uses. Special emphasis has been given to suitability of
groundwater for irrigation. The paper classifies groundwater on the basis of different
classification schemes, and illustrates the results thematically.
|
