Groundwater Quality Assessment Of Hebbal Valley, K-C Valley And Vrishabhavathi Valley For Drinking And Irrigation Suitability

Abstract

Groundwater is the main source of water in the Valley systems of Hebbal, K-C and Vrishabhavathi apart from River Kaveri water. It is used for drinking, domestic, agriculture and industrial purposes. The objective of the study was to check the Groundwater quality along the valley zones and check its suitability for drinking and agricultural purposes. Groundwater quality index was calculated using weighted arithmetic index method. and its irrigation suitability was checked by using Ayers and Westcot method in terms of salinity hazard, permeability hazard and specific ion toxicity. The results showed that few Groundwater quality parameters exceeded BIS drinking water quality standards. The Groundwater quality indicated that few borewell samples had excellent water quality and suitable for drinking, while few more needed minimum treatments before usage and many unfit for drinking purposes. Borewell water samples also had issues of salinity, permeability and specific ion hazard, which required specific treatment before usage for irrigation. Since few crops are sensitive to certain ions, based on the Groundwater characteristics, salt or specific ion resistant crops can be cultivated for better yield.