5-Ground Water Quality Monitoring in India.

Abstract

Degradation of ground water quality can be attributed to natural and anthropogenic sources. Natural sources may contribute to high salinity, fluoride iron content of ground water whereas anthropogenic sources cause various forms of pollution. Due to inadequate treatment of sewage and industrial effluents which are discharged on land and low lying depressions, ground water pollution has taken place in several parts of the country. It is reflected by water borne diseases and high levels of cyanide, hexavalent chromium, nitrate etc. in ground water of several areas. Extensive agricultural activities have resulted in high nitrate, potassium levels in ground water at some of the places. For systematic ground water quality monitoring, various techniques such as identification of source of pollution, methods of waste disposal, prevailing hydrologic conditions, infiltration potential of wastes, mobility of pollutants, reactions in the unsaturated zone and various parameters to be monitored are discussed. Various measures for management of water quality problems have also been outlined.