CS(AR)-37/96-97 : Ground water quality studies in Jammu and Kathua districts (J&K)

Abstract

In the present study, detailed investigations of the chemical quality of ground water in Jammu and Kathua districts (J&K) have been carried out to evaluate the suitability of water for various uses. The quality of ground water of the area has been studied based on the Physico-chemical analysis of thirty seven water samples collected from open wells during June and December, 1996. Various parameters, viz., pH, conductance, alkalinity, hardness, chloride, sulfate, sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium have been determined for all the samples and compared with the standards to evaluate its suitability for drinking and irrigation purposes. Irrigation water quality on the basis of Doneen's Permeability Index and Residual Sodium Carbonate have also been computed. The higher values of certain parameters at certain locations indicate the contamination in ground water and make the water unsuitable for specific applications.

The pH values have shown that the ground water in the area is of alkaline nature. Majority of wells lie under high salinity zone (EC, 750-2250 micro mhos/cm). The variation of SAR values was observed from 0.113 to 5.1 and it indicate that water samples fall under the category of low sodium hazard and can be used for irrigating crops on almost all soils. Fluoride concentration was observed below 1.5 mg/1 at all sites.

The ground water of the area has also been classified on the basis of Piper and U.S. Salinity Laboratory classifications. The results of Piper diagrams have shown that, majority of wells were lying under the Ca, Mg, HCO3 hydrochemical facies in the study area except a few wells under Ca, Mg, Cl, SO4 during both periods of the investigations. According to the U.S. Salinity Laboratory Classification of irrigation water, majority of the samples fall under C3-S1 (high salinity and low SAR) and then followed by C2-S1 (medium salinity and low SAR). Whereas, C4-S1 (very high salinity and low SAR) was also observed at Madun during June, 1996, Londi during June and December, 1996.