Determination of Physio-Chemical Parameters and Water Quality Index (Wqi) of Kundapura Taluk, Udupi District, Karnataka, India

Abstract

The determination of various physio-chemical parameters and water quality index of Kundapura Taluk uses nine parameters: pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, total hardness, alkalinity, acidity, chlorides, dissolved oxygen and chemical oxygen demand, measured in 40 places. The weighted arithmetic water quality index (WAWQI) method is used for the calculation of water quality index. The present study area is Kundapura Taluk in Udupi district, Karnataka located between a 74°34′40.0″ E to 75°4′57.35″ E longitude, and a 13°59′33.26″ N to 13°28′40.82″ N latitude. According to post-summer values of pH, places such as MITK, Margoli and Kodi have high pH, and Kumbashi and Amavasyebailu have low pH. Places such as Margoli, Beejadi, Senapura, Kollur and Kodi show higher E.C, and Amparu shows a lower value of E.C. Alkaline water balances the pH of the body, and we found higher alkalinity in Kodi, Beejadi, Marvanthe and lower alkalinity in Yedthare, Mullikatte and Trasi. All water samples with higher COD content were found post-summer which diminishes the amount of D.O content in water. Pre-summer and post-summer values shows numerous changes in values. In the post-summer, water level decreases mechanically due to increases in water extraction: it causes a cone of depression at ground water level, creating a saltwater intrusion in which water loses its quality, thus pre-treatment is additional, post-summer.