Various National and International Agencies involved in water quality assessment and pollution control have defined water quality criteria for different uses of water considering different indicator parameters. Classification schemes for water quality criteria/standards developed by these agencies differ in addition to terminologies used such as Action level, Guide level etc. in defining the concentration values in these classes. In the present article a general classification scheme viz. Excellent, Acceptable, Slightly Polluted, Polluted and Heavily Polluted water is proposed for surface water quality assessment. The concentration ranges in these classes are defined in Indian scenario considering Indian Standards and CPCB criteria. Standards by the European Community (EC), WHO etc. and the reported facts about the pollution effects of important water quality indicator parameters on the surrounding were also taken into account. The mathematical equations to transform the actual concentration values into pollution indices are formulated and corresponding value function curves are plotted. Based on the individual index values, an 'Overall Index of Pollution' (OIP) is estimated. The application of OIP is demonstrated at a few sampling stations on river Yamuna based on observed water quality data. The general classification scheme along with concentration ranges defined in these classes will be of immense use for determining the surface water quality status with reference to specific individual parameter, and the OIP for assessing the overall water quality status in Indian context.

The present work attempts statistical analysis of groundwater quality near a Landfill site in Nagpur, India. The objective of the present work is to figure out the impact of different factors on the quality of groundwater in the study area. Statistical analysis of the data has been attempted by applying Factor Analysis concept. The analysis brings out the effect of five different factors governing the groundwater quality in the study area. Based on the contribution of the different parameters present in the extracted factors, the latter are linked to the geological setting, the leaching from the host rock, leachate of heavy metals from the landfill as well as the bacterial contamination from landfill site and other anthropogenic activities. The analysis brings out the vulnerability of the unconfined aquifer to contamination.

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The effectiveness of the treatment process for the removal of pesticides in the final water supplies in Delhi has been evaluated. Samples were collected during 2000-2005 from five water treatment plants (WTPs). Analysis was carried out to identify pesticides, which are more commonly encountered in treated drinking water. In most of the treatment plants, the concentrations of lindane, total endosulphan and total DDT were significantly less in the finished water. Monitoring of these less soluble pesticide in the finished water from WTPs was done quarterly to arrive at the quality trends and to plan for the mitigation action, in case the concentration of the parameter exceeded at any site or time.

One of the important sectors that contribute to the national economy is the mining sector. During the mining of minerals and ores, waste materials in the form of overburden are generated. As these are not useful to the mine owners, they may be inappropriately disposed of into the environment, posing serious threat to the environment in the form of land degradation, water and air pollution. The present paper discusses the existing status of waste generation, its characteristics and the disposal methods being adopted in India. Impacts associated with waste disposal practices together with preventive measures for waste disposal are also discussed. Finally, strategies for improvements in existing waste management and for incorporating the same in the overall development plan for the mines are suggested.