Study of Ground Water in Perungudi Area of Chennai: Correlation with Physico-Chemical Parameters

Abstract

The major source of water pollution is domestic waste from urban and rural areas, and industrial wastes which are discharged into natural water bodies. Ground water is the largest source of fresh water in developing countries and it is also subjected to such danger. In this study we have evaluated the extent of pollution caused in ground water in Perungudi. The study area is one of the major sewage disposal areas in Chennai city stretching up to 400 acres. Around 3000 tons of sewages is generated per day in Chennai city out of this half of the sewage is disposed off in Kodungaiyur and the remaining at Perungudi. This waste disposal site has been in operation since 1985. During the past 7-8 years (2003-2010) the solid waste has increased from 1000 tons to 3000 tons per day. In this report we have summarized the laboratory results of all the samples collected from the study area against the BIS standard for drinking water. It was found that the samples which are nearer to the dumping ground are contaminated and somewhat toxic materials like fluorine, manganese etc. are compared to the samples away from the dumping ground.

Keywords: Ground water, Total dissolved solids, pH, Turbidity, Electrical conductivity.