The International Reviewer

Volume 1 | Issue 1 | January - June 2014 | pp. 24-29 | e-ISSN applied

ASSESSMENT OF GROUNDWATER QUALITY IN CHAMRAJNAGAR DISTRICT, KARNATAKA, INDIA

(Received: 30 October 2013; Revised: 06 May 2014; Accepted: 24 June 2014)
(Article Type: Research, Theme: Ground Water Pollution/Environmental Engineering)

Nagarathna H R M R Veeresh Kumar

Department of Civil Engineering Baba Atomic Research Centre
Vidya Vikas Institute of Engineering and Technology Mysore- 571 130, Karnataka, India
Mysore–570028, Karnataka, India E-mail: impvkm@gmail.com
E-mail: nagarathna.veeresh@gmail.com

Abstract - This paper aims to assess and map the spatial
distribution of ground water quality of the Chamarajnagar
district by using the Geographical Information System (GIS). The
data regarding physicochemical characteristics of samples of
ground water were collected from different observation wells
located in Chamrajnagar District, India. The parameters used for
analysis, are the data viz. pH, electrical conductivity, total
- 2- 3- +
hardness, total dissolved solids, Cl , SO4 , NO , Na , calcium and
magnesium etc. obtained from Department of Mines and
Geology. Then Water Quality Index has been calculated by using
standards of drinking water quality recommended by the Bureau
of Indian standards and Indian Council for Medical Research.
Inverse Distance Weighed spatial interpolation technique has
been used to estimate the spatial distribution of the ground
water parameters and Water Quality Index. Water Quality status
of the area is found and is observed to be suitable for all
purposes in major areas of district.
Keywords- Groundwater; Physiochemical; Spatial; distribution..
I. INTRODUCTION
Ground water is a dynamic part of the hydrologic
system. It is distributed everywhere beneath the surface of
Earth. The demand for ground water is increasing very fast.
In India out of total irrigated land 60% is irrigated through
ground water. Around 80% of domestic Water supply in
rural area and over 50% in urban area is met through
ground water. Rapid industrialization has resulted in
increased waste production. Further due to improper solid
and toxic waste management practices in urban areas lead
to the degradation of groundwater, which then turns un-
potable for future use. Ground water pollution not only
affects the water quality but also threats human health,
economic development and social prosperity (Milovanovic,
2007). The quality of water generally is defined in terms of
its physical, chemical and biological parameters (Ketata
Mouna et al., 2011) and measured as Water Quality Index
(WQI). This helps to assess whether water is potable or not.
GIS is a powerful tool to assess the water quality
parameter, determining water availability, preventing
flooding, understanding the natural environment, and
managing water resources on a local regional scale (Collet,
1996). GIS techniques facilitate integrate and conjunctive
analysis of large volumes of multidisciplinary data both
Spatial and non- spatial within the same geo-reference.
Spatial analysis is an extension of GIS helps to
interpolate of the water quality parameter at unknown
location from known values to create a continuous surface
which will help us to understand the scenarios of water
quality parameter of the study area. Among various
Interpolation Techniques in the present study Inverse
Distance weighted (IDW) technique is adopted.
II. EXPERIMENTAL METHODOLOGY
The study area, Chamrajnagar district, is one of the 7
new districts formed during 1997 which is located in the
extreme south end of Karnataka state. Being in the
southern border, it links the state with Tamil Nadu and
Kerala States. Location map is presented in Figure 1.
The geographical area of Chamarajanagar district is
5,101 km2. The district is located in the southern extreme
of Karnataka State and lies between the North latitude 11°
40’ 58’’and 12° 06’ 32’’ and East longitude 76° 24’ 14’’ and
77°46’ 55’’ and falls in the southern dry agro-climatic zone.
The present study aims to estimate the groundwater
quality in the Chamrajnagar district and it is spatially
represented in the form of maps using Geographic
Information System (GIS). The dependency on groundwater
has been increased in the district due to growth in
population and development in agriculture sector.

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Volume 1 | Issue 1 | January - June 2014 | pp. 24-29 | e-ISSN applied
Nagarathna H R and M R Veeresh Kumar, Assessment of Groundwater quality ….

Class WQI value Water Quality

Status
I <50 Excellent

II 50-100 Good Water

III 100-200 Poor water

IV 200-300 Very poor water

V >300 Water unsuitable

for drinking

Table 1: Water Quality Classification Based on WQI Value Class.

Fig. 1: Location Map of the Study Area.
The calculation of WQI was made using a weighted
arithmetic index method described further (Liou Sm et al.,
2004).

n n
WQI =∑ qn Wn/∑Wn …..1
i=1 i=1

If we consider ‘n’ water quality parameters, then the

quality rating or sub index (‘qn’) corresponding to the nth
parameter represents the relative value of this parameter
in the polluted water with respect to its standard
permissible value. The value of ‘qn’ is calculated using the
following expression (Equation 2)
Fig. 2: Location of selected observation wells in the study area.
qn = 100[(Vo -Vi)/( Sn - Vi)] …..2
The boundary of the Chamrajnagar district is digitized
Where, qn is quality rating for the nth water quality
using the map collected from Zilla Panchayath Office. The
parameter, Vo is observed value of the nth parameter, Sn is
results of water samples of nineteen observation wells
standard permissible value of nth parameter and Vi is ideal
(OBW) area collected from Department of Mines and
value of nth parameter in pure water.
Geology. The location map of these OBW in study area are
presented in the spatial form in Figure 2.The parameters
Further Unit weight (Wn) for various water quality
pH, electrical conductivity, total hardness, total dissolved
parameters are inversely proportional to the
solids (TDS), chloride, sulphate, nitrate, magnesium and
recommended standards for the corresponding parameters
other parameters were analyzed. Water quality Index
(Equation 3). Where, Wn is unit weight of nth parameters,
(WQI) for these stations has been calculated by using the
Sn is standard value for nth parameters and K is constant
standards of drinking water quality recommended by the
for proportionality (Boyacioglu, 2007).
Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The same has been
presented in Table 1.
Wn = K/Sn ..…. 3

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Nagarathna H R and M R Veeresh Kumar, Assessment of Groundwater quality ….

III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Electrical conductivity is the capacity of electrical

current that passes through the water. It is directly related
The results of all water quality parameters and WQI are to concentration of ionized substances in water and may
spatially represented in the form of maps using Arc GIS also be related to problems of excessive hardness. In study
software in this section. area, electrical conductivity varies from 571.06 to 2083.25
μm/cm. Figure 4 shows that spatial distribution of EC of
pH is important parameter, which determines the water in the study area, high concentration of EC has been
suitability of water for various purposes. In the study area observe in Yelandur of the study area.
pH level of water varies from 7.42 and 8.5 and is in
desirable limit i.e., 6.5 to 8.5 as specified by the BIS and
ICMR. Figure 3 shows that spatial distribution of pH in the
study area, low concentration of pH was observed in
Terakanambi, part of the study area, which comes under
Gundlupet taluk.

Fig. 5: Spatial distribution of total hardness.

The limit of total hardness value for drinking water is to

be within 300 mg/l of CaCO3. Figure 5 shows the Spatial
distribution of the ground water hardness in the study area
and it varies from 152 to 648mg/l. Higher concentration of
hardness was found in Shagya, Kollegal taluk, this may be
due to natural accumulation of salt, or surface runoff,
water enter from direct pollution by human activities, low
Fig. 3: Spatial distribution of pH. concentration of hardness was found in some parts of
Chamrajnagar and Yedapura of the study area.

Fig. 4: Spatial distribution of Electrical conductivity. Fig. 6: Spatial distribution of Calcium.

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Volume 1 | Issue 1 | January - June 2014 | pp. 24-29 | e-ISSN applied
Nagarathna H R and M R Veeresh Kumar, Assessment of Groundwater quality ….

Calcium is one of the most abundant substances in the

water. Dissolve calcium and Magnesium in water are the
two most common minerals that make water hard. Figure 6
shows the spatial distribution of Calcium in the
groundwater of the study area, this ranges from 26.07 to
185.97 mg/l. The high concentration of calcium was found
in Bandalli and Lokanahalli which lies in Kollegala, of the
study area.

Figure 7 represents spatial distribution of Magnesium in

the groundwater of the study area and it varies in between
21.07 mg/l to 119.95 mg/l. High concentration of
magnesium was found in Hanur, Lokanahalli and
Terakanambi of the study area. The standard desirable limit
Fig. 8: Spatial distribution of Chloride
of alkalinity of potable water is 120 mg/l. The maximum
permissible level is 600 mg/l. Total Alkalinity in the
TDS in groundwater can also be due to natural sources
groundwater of the study area, it varies from 127 to 784
such as sewage, urban runoff and industrial waste (Joseph,
mg/l. High alkaline water has been observed in many
2001). According to BIS and APHA the desirable limit of TDS
villages of the district.
is 500 mg/l. If TDS value is more than 500 mg/l, it may
cause gastro intestinal irritation. Figure 9 shows spatial
distribution of TDS in the study area, which is fluctuating
between 298 to 1250 mg/l. The high concentration of TDS
was observed as 1250 mg/l at Yelandur.

Fig. 7: Spatial distribution of Magnesium.

Chloride is one of the most important parameter in

assessing the water quality and higher concentration of
chloride indicates higher degree of organic pollution.
According to BIS, the permissible limit of chloride in Fig. 9: Spatial distribution of TDS.
drinking water is 250mg/l. Figure 8 shows Spatial
distribution of Chloride in the study area and it is As water moves through these, sulphates are picked up
fluctuating in between 14 to 299 mg/l. High concentration and dissolve in the groundwater, during infiltration of
of chloride was observed as 299 mg/l in Yelandur. Low rainfall and groundwater recharge.
concentration of chloride was found in Bedarapura village
of the study area.

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Volume 1 | Issue 1 | January - June 2014 | pp. 24-29 | e-ISSN applied
Nagarathna H R and M R Veeresh Kumar, Assessment of Groundwater quality ….

Figure 10 spatial distribution of sulphate in the

groundwater of the study area, shows that maximum
Sulphate concentration is observed in Shagya.

Fig. 12: Spatial distribution of WQI.

Fig. 10: Spatial distribution of Suphate. IV. CONCLUSION

This study has demonstrated the utility of GIS to assess
and mapping of groundwater quality. It is observed that the
quality of water is suitable for all purposes in major areas of
district. But the Nitrate concentration is found to be high in
some parts of Chamrajnagar and Yalandur. The overall view
of the WQI of the present study showed that most of the
area having a WQI value more than 50 except in Bisalavady.
It is found that in some villages like Chamrajnagar,
Yanagahalli, Harve and Shagya. WQI is more than 100 the
water quality is poor which needs treatment. This study has
shown that the use of GIS and remote sensing is very useful
tool for the assessment of ground water quality.

REFERENCES
Fig. 11: Spatial distribution of Nitrate.
1. APHA, Standard methods for the examination of water and
wastewater, American Public Health Association, Washington D.C, 1998.
Figure 11 shows spatial distribution of Nitrate in the
study area and it is varying from 2 to 159.96 mg/l. High 2. BIS, Indian standards specifications for drinking water IS: 10500,
concentration of nitrate was found in Mellahalli, Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi, 2003.
Lokanahalli and Chamrajanagar. The higher concentration
of Nitrate causes illness known as infant 3. Collet C. (1996), Geographic Information System Needs and Software
in Geographical Information
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4. Joseph K., An integrated approach for management of Total Dissolved
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area and it is varying from 31.37 to 172.44 High value of Pollution and Control Technologies, Hyderabad, 2001.

WQI has been observed in Harve. Low values of WQI was

5. Ketata Mouna R., Gueddari M., and Bouhlila R., Use of
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water is potable, people can use the ground water for Groundwater Quality in El Khairat Deep Aquifer (Enfidha, Tunisian
drinking purpose.

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Volume 1 | Issue 1 | January - June 2014 | pp. 24-29 | e-ISSN applied
Nagarathna H R and M R Veeresh Kumar, Assessment of Groundwater quality ….

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