CS(AR)-28/98-99 Ground water quality monitoring and evaluation in Jammu and Kathua districts, J&K state (1988-99)

Abstract

In the present study, 36 water samples have been collected from open wells, two springs (Mandli, Ramkot) and two hand pumps (Bera, Jamral) during June, 1998 and February, 1999. The water quality parameters have been grouped in accordance with the standards of drinking and irrigation purposes. The ground water has also been classified on the basis of Piper, Stiff and U.S. Salinity Laboratory Classifications.

The study has shown alkaline nature of ground water. The pH values were within the prescribed limit for drinking purposes. The higher values of sodium above the prescribed limit of 50 mg/I were observed at about 31% of total wells during June, 1998 and about 25% of total wells during Feb., 1999, respectively. The hardness as CaCO3 was observed above permissible limit at about 33% of wells during June, 1998 and 36%( during Feb., 1999. Fluoride concentration was found below 0.6 mg/l at 78% wells and 0.6-1.2 mg/I at 22% wells during February, 1999.

The Piper's diagrams have shown about 83% wells under Ca2+, Mg2+. HC03- hydrochemical facies, 11% under Na+, K+, HCO3- , 6% wells under Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl- S04²- hydrochemical facies during June, 1998, and 91%, 3%, 6% wells under the above mentioned hydrochemical facies during February, 1999, respectively.

According to the Stiff classification, calcium bicarbonate was found dominant amounting to 67% and 80% of the total wells during June, 1998 and Feb., 99. However, sodium bicarbonate was present at 19% and 6% sites. The magnesium bicarbonate as well as calcium chloride were obtained at 11% and 3 % sites during both sampling programs.

According to the U. S. Salinity Laboratory Classification, the majority of water samples (72% and 75 % of total wells) lie under C3-S1 (high salinity- low SAR) category during June, 1998 and Feb., 1999, respectively. The C2-S1 (medium salinity- low SAR) category of wells lie at 11% and 22% sites during June, 1998 and Feb., 1999. The C4-S1 (very high salinity-low SAR) category of wells lie at 14% and 3% sites during June, 1998 and Feb., 1999, respectively. On the basis of SAR values, the water may also be classified under excellent category for irrigation purposes.