Assessment of Water Quality in Safilguda Lake, Hyderabad using Water Quality Index

Abstract

In the present study,Water Quality Index (WQI) was used to assess the quality of water in Safilguda lake. Safilguda lake was the source of drinking for the Nawabs and British authorities and was also the source of irrigation to the farmers. But today the agricultural fields have turned into housing colonies and multistorey complexes which led to the deterioration of lake water by direct entry of sewage into the lake. Three sampling stations were selected within the lake for the collection of surface water samples at monthly intervals for a period of one year. The water samples were analyzed for various physico-chemical parameters by following the standard procedures. For calculating WQI, ten physico-chemical parameters were considered such as pH, alkalinity, chlorides, total hardness, calcium, magnesium, nitrates, sulphates, total dissolved solids and dissolved oxygen. From the water quality index, the lake water quality was determined. On the basis of WQI classification, the water quality status ratings clearly indicates that the Safilguda lake has poor water quality due to the discharge of untreated domestic waste water from the surrounding residents and religious activities like immersion of Ganesh idols made up of plaster of paris and the lakewater is unsuitable for drinking, domestic and recreational purposes. The water quality rating study also exhibits eutrophic condition of the lake.