CS(AR)-28/99-2000 : Surface and Groundwater quality Evaluation in Parts of Udhampur district (J&K)

Abstract

Water sources are polluted by four kinds of substances, i.e., traditional organic waste, waste generated from industrial processes, chemical agents of fertilizers and pesticides used for crop production and silt from degraded catchment. In Udhampur district, only a negligible percentage of village population use dug wells as their source of water supply. The majority of villages still depend on springs, streams and rainfall tanks. In the present study, surface and ground water quality monitoring has been undertaken in order to evaluate its quality for domestic and agricultural purposes. Accordingly, water samples from nine wells, eleven springs and five streams were collected during June 1999 and October 1999 in parts of Udhampur District (J&K).

The water quality parameters have been grouped in accordance with the standards of drinking purposes. The suitability of water for irrigation purposes has been determined based on various parameters like salinity (EC), permeability (Doneen's Permeability Index), toxicity due to chloride and sodium (SAR), parameters causing miscellaneous problems to soil-water- plant relationships (bicarbonate, RSC, sulphate) and USSL Staff Classification. The classification of water has been done on the basis of Piper, Stiff, Schoeller and USSL Staff Classification.

The values of pH show alkaline nature of water. The concentration of magnesium exceeded the permissible limits at about 32% sites during pre-monsoon and at 44% during post- monsoon periods. A higher concentration of Fe and Cr, has been observed in 67% and 33% water samples. Mn exceeded the tolerance limit (0.5 mg/I) at one location representing 7 % of site. The Concentration of Cd, which is a highly toxic element, has been observed below detection limits all sites except at one site where its concentration equaled tolerance limit (0.01 mg/l). The SAR values show water under the excellent category for irrigation purposes. Almost all sites fall under the Ca²+, Mg²+, HCO3- hydro-chemical facie during both sampling periods as per the Piper's classification. In the study, 52% of water samples belonged to C3-S1 (high salinity- low SAR) class and 48% under C2-S1 (medium salinity- low SAR) category during June 1999. In another sampling carried out during October 1999, 35% water samples belonged to C3-S1 category and remaining 65% under C2-S1 category. However, the higher concentration effect of bicarbonate in irrigation water has shown all samples lying under "Increasing Problem" zone (bicarbonate, 1.5-8.5 me/1) in the present study.