Evaluation of Water Quality Index (WQI) of Water Resources at Padre Village, Kasaragod Using GIS

In this paper, the estimation of water quality index (WQI) and hydro chemical analysis by statistical methods was carried out in the Padre microwatershed Kasaragod Kerala. WQI was calculated in order to find out the deviation in the water quality parameters particularly with respect to BIS permissible limits. Total 30 locations were selected of which samples were collected from fourteen open wells and thirteen Surangam water and three combined Surangam and open wells for the hydrochemical analysis. The Water Quality Index (WQI) values accept the suitability of water for drinking purposes. The center portion and southeast region of Padre microwatershed shows the quality of water is suitable for drinking purposes with WQI ranging from 0 to 58 in the pre-monsoon season and 0 to 49 in the post-monsoon season. Only few open wells namely, OW3, OW4, OW5, OW6, OW7 and OW13 at the bottom of the hillocks unfit for the same. Due to fluoride content above the permissible limit, one Surangam S14 near the northeastern portion and during the post-monsoon period the highest WQI of 108. This shows that proper treatment is necessary before it use for drinking purposes. Moreover, these wells should be protected against the contamination caused due to the fertilizers from agricultural lands.

Anupama Natesh*1 and Arun Kumar Bhat2 Click here to download file

Research Article | Published online : 10-May-2024