International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology (IJETT) – Volume 3 Issue 3 No 4 – June 2012
ASSESSMENT OF GROUND WATER QUALITY IN NORTH CHENNAI REGION
(NCR)
SHARMILAA.G
1
Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Bharath University,
173, Agaram Road, Selaiyur, Tambaram,Chennai-73,India.
Abstract: Water is the basic element of social and economic infrastructure and is essential for healthy society and
sustainable development. Due to rapid increase in density of population, fast urbanization, industrialization and
agricultural, use the demand of water is increasing day by day. As a result surface water and ground water level is
decreasing, gets polluted and increased demand have made good quality water scarceand more expensive. In this
paper ground water quality analysis was carried out for North Chennai region (NCR) water samples were collected
all around theTondiarpet, Royapuram, George town, Washermanpet, Port trust, Parrys, Flower market, Ayanavaram,
Perambur and Villivakkam
Keywords: Water Quality,
Introduction
Water is the basic requirements for human, plants and animal on earth. The origin of life has been associated with
water other basic elements, water is the source of life. This is a precious substance and if it becomes excess its
difficult to manage since it leads to flood and lack of its results in drought and famine. It must be remembered that
any natural or manmade activity on the surface of the earth will have it’s for most impact on the quality and quantity
of water this will be taken into the biosphere systems and ultimately lead to hydrological extremes. The increase in
population and urbanization necessitates growth in the agricultural and industrial sectors which demand for more
fresh water. When surface water is the non-available mode the alternative is to depend on ground water.
STUDY AREA
Chennai known by its former name, Madras is the capital city of the state of Tamil Nadu in India which is located
on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. It is a major commercial, cultural, economic and educational center
in South India. According to the provisional results of 2011 census, the city had 4.68 million residents making it
the sixth most populous city in India. the most live able city in India by the Institute of Competitiveness on account
of economic, social, security and medical conditions as parameters. Chennai's economy has a broad industrial base
in the automobile, computer, technology, hardware manufacturing and healthcare sectors. A major part is that many
of the factories and industries which cover the special economy zone over the Chennai city. The City is host to be
the 3rd largest Expatriate population in India after Mumbai and Delhi
ABOUT THE STUDY AREA
The study area contributes the central part of Chennai in Tamil Nadu. The study area covers an area of about 150 sq.
km. The study area is located in between North latitudes13⁰25'27''N and 13⁰ 47'21'', East longitudes
80⁰19'23'' and 80⁰15'12''.Due to the rapid development of the recent decades, the study area has well developed
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network of roads and railway lines providing good linkages with metro cities in India and also with the rest of the
country.
Fig.1. Study area
PHYSIOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY
The Chennai region has flat topography and the average mean height varies between 2 to 12 m. Highest elevation is
15 m. the study area having huge amount of sediment deposits which is favoring for accumulation of the ground
water. It is located near shore region so that the sea water gets migrated in to inland aquifers in case of over
extraction of ground water, tsunami, storm surge and cyclone. The study area having mostly clay soil,
shale and sandstone. In some of the place like Maduravoyal, K.K.Nagar underlies Clay material. Sandy areas are
found
along
the
river
banks
and
coasts,
and
include
areas
such
as
Tiruvottiyur, GeorgeTown, Madhavaram, NewWashermanpet, Chepauk, Mylapore, Porur, Adyar, BesantNagar and
Uthandi. In these areas, rainwater runoff percolates quickly through the soil. The areas having hard rock surface are
Guindy, Naganallur , Pallikarnai ,Alandur , Jaladampet, Velachery, Adambakkam, and a part of Saidapet and
Pergundi .The ground water table is at 4-5m below ground in most areas , which was considerably improved and
maintained through the mandatory rain water harvesting system.
The study area receives rainfall in south west monsoon from June to September and the mean value is
464mm and the North west monsoon mean value is 849.This range is due to its proximity to the Western Ghats.
The heavy rains often lead to severe flooding in these months. Maduravoyal, K.K.Nagar
Objectives
The Objectives of this paper is to identify the water quality risk factors in various locations of North Chennai and
test the risk factors for the current year. A comparative analysis is done on the samples and analyze risk factor on
major locations of North Chennai.
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Data collection
Water quality data
The Water Quality data was collected from the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board
(CMWSSB) in Tamilnadu,for the year 2002, 2005, 2008 and 2011.The Water quality data consists of the water
quality parameters like Turbidity, Calcium, Magnesium, Hardness, Sulphate, Chloride, Flouride, pH value,
Electrical Conductance, Total Dissolved salts and Ammonical Nitrogen. The locations where the water quality data
was collected are Tondiarpet, Chinna kodungaiyur, Royapuram, Pulianthope, Ayanavaram and Villivakkam. Table1,
2, 3 and 4 represents the Water quality parameter for 2002, 2005,2008, 2011 respectively in north Chennai
Water Sample Collection
The ground water samples are collected manually from the bore wells which were distributed equally all over 18
locations of North Chennai. Table 5 represents the specific locations in North Chennai.
S.no
Location
Latitude
Longitude
1.
Tondiarpet (Tolgate)
13° 8.7´
80° 17.71´
2.
ECI Matric Hss School
13° 8.11´
80° 16.78´
3.
Tondairpet (Corporation Park)
13° 7.36´
80° 17.18´
4.
Chinna Kodungaiyur
13° 8.09´
80° 14.69´
5.
Periya Kodungaiyur
13° 8.07´
80° 14.80´
6.
Kodungaiyur(Rv Nagar)
13° 8.42´
80° 15.04´
7.
Ezhil Hospital (Tondiarpet)
13° 7.77´
80° 17.48´
8.
Royapuram(St. Peters Hss)
13° 6.57´
80° 17.66´
9.
Vallalar Nagar (Stanley Hospital)
13° 6.32´
80° 17.04´
10.
George Town (Kalikambal Koil)
13° 5.69´
80° 17.32´
11.
Port Trust (Kadhal Kanni Amman Koil)
13° 5.92´
80° 17.59´
12.
Parrys(High Court)
13° 5.31´
80° 17.29´
13.
Mkb Nagar
13° 7.48´
80° 15.69´
14.
Vayarpadi (Pst)
13° 7.38´
80° 15.67´
15.
Pulianthope (Kovil Well)
13° 5.81´
80° 15.75´
16.
Flower Market (Parrys)
13° 5.31´
80° 16.95´
17.
Ayanavaram (Raju Street)
13° 5.35´
80° 13.89´
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18.
Villivakkam
13° 11.5´
80° 20.07´
Table 5 locations in North Chennai.
Water Quality Analysis
Essential characteristics and risk factor were analyzed in the water from various areas in North Chennai.
Calcium content in the regions of Chinna kodungaiyur, Tondiarpet, Pulianthope and Royapuram.
300
250
200
2002
150
2005
2008
100
2011
50
2013
0
Tondiarpet
chinna
kodungaiyur
Royapuram
pulianthope
Villivakkam
Fig 2.Calcium variation changes from 2002 to 2013
Magnesium
The Magnesium content in the portal drinking water as per IS code ranges from 0.1mg/l to 2mg/l but the value got
from the sample places are very highly tolerable.
Fig 3.Magnesium variation changes from 2002 to 2013
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Hardness
The hardness of the water of that region which ranges from 400 to 920mg/l in the year 2002, 300 to 1800mg/l in the
year 2005, 10 to 830mg/l in the year 2008 and 160 to 940mg/l in the year 2013. As per the IS code, the hardness of
the water should be 300 to 600mg/l. Here it explains the variation by increasing the hardness from lower to higher
i.e., from west to east for the year 2002 and 2005. But, the hardness shows very low concentration for the year 2008
and 2013. The variation may be due to that the sample was collected during the rainy season.
2000
2002
1500
2005
1000
2008
2011
500
2012
0
Tondiarpet
Royapuram
pulianthope
2013
Villivakkam
Fig 4. Hardness variation changes from 2002 to 2013
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
2002
2005
2008
2011
2012
Tondiarpet
Royapuram
pulianthope
Villivakkam
2013
Fig 5.Sulphate variation changes from 2002 to 2013
1500
2002
2005
1000
2008
500
2011
2012
0
Tondiarpet
chinna
kodungaiyur
Royapuram
pulianthope
Villivakkam
Fig 6.Chloride variation changes from 2002 to 2013
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International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology (IJETT) – Volume 3 Issue 3 No 4 – June 2012
0.80
2002
0.60
2005
0.40
2008
2011
0.20
2012
0.00
Tondiarpet
chinna
kodungaiyur
Royapuram
pulianthope
2013
Villivakkam
Fig 7. Fluoride variation changes from 2002 to 2013
pH value
10
8
6
4
2
0
2002
2005
2008
2011
Tondiarpet
chinna
kodungaiyur
Royapuram
pulianthope
Villivakkam
2012
Fig 8.pHvariation changes from 2002 to 2013
Conclusion:
Over the years increasing population urbanization and expansion in agriculture has head in the scientific
exploitation of ground water creating a water stress condition. Nort Chennai area is under threat due to the critical
issues of environmental pollution because of over urbanization and as well as industrialization it leads to water
scarcity problems. The groundwater quality in North Chennai has been contaminated due to pollution and also due
to over exploitation of it. Here the situation is slightly differ from other because this eastern region of the North
Chennai is faced by the Bay of Bengal so due to the over extraction of ground water it leads to the intrusion of sea
water in to the ground water if we failed to recharge the ground water table. Government organization should have
regular inspection over the industrial area about their usage of water source and their out let drain should meet the
regulation act. Hence monitoring the groundwater quality is indispensable.The present study provides a guideline for
solving or to take the necessary steps in appropriate time for the water quality problem in North Chennai
REFERENCES
1.
G. Raja and P. Venkatesan, Assessment of Groundwater Pollution and itsImpact in and around Punnam
Area ofKarur District, Tamilnadu, India, 2010.
2.
Basem Shomar, Sami Abu Fakher, Alfred Yahya (2010), Assessment of Groundwater Quality in the Gaza
Strip,Palestine Using GIS Mapping.
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International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology (IJETT) – Volume 3 Issue 3 No 4 – June 2012
3.
K. Sundara Kumar ,P.Sundara Kumar ((2010), Assessment and mapping of groundwater quality using
geographical information system.
4.
Priti Singh, I.A. Khan (2011) Ground water quality assessment of Dhankawadi ward of Pune by using GIS.
5.
Basem Shomar, Sami Abu Fakher and Alfred Yahya (2010) Assessment of Groundwater Quality in the
Gaza Strip, Palestine Using GIS Mapping.
6.
olayinka oladeji Quantitative risk assessment of groundwater quality utilizing gis technology and coupled
groundwater models.
7.
A K Gorai and Subhash Kumar (2013)Spatial Distribution Analysis of Groundwater Quality Index Using
GIS: A Case Study of Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) Area.
8.
G. Raja and P. Venkatesan, Assessment of Groundwater Pollution and itsImpact in and around Punnam
Area ofKarur District, Tamilnadu, India, 2010.
9.
Basem Shomar, Sami Abu Fakher, Alfred Yahya (2010), Assessment of Groundwater Quality in the Gaza
Strip,Palestine Using GIS Mapping.
10. K. Sundara Kumar ,P.Sundara Kumar ((2010), Assessment and mapping of groundwater quality using
geographical information system.
11. Priti Singh, I.A. Khan (2011) Ground water quality assessment of Dhankawadi ward of Pune by using GIS.
12. Basem Shomar, Sami Abu Fakher and Alfred Yahya (2010) Assessment of Groundwater Quality in the
Gaza Strip, Palestine Using GIS Mapping.
13. olayinka oladeji Quantitative risk assessment of groundwater quality utilizing gis technology and coupled
groundwater models.
14. A K Gorai and Subhash Kumar (2013)Spatial Distribution Analysis of Groundwater Quality Index Using
GIS: A Case Study of Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) Area.
Table .1 Water quality parameter for 2002 in north Chennai
2002
Water quality
Location
Tondiarpet
chinna
kodungai
yur
Royapuram
pulianthope
ayanavara
m
Villivakka
m
Turbidity, NTU
4.0
4.0
3.0
4.0
2.0
6.0
Calcium, mg/l
240.0
108.0
188.0
88.0
72.0
72.0
Magnesium, mg/l
170.0
51.0
114.0
46.0
75.0
53.0
Hardness, mg/l
410.0
390.0
930.0
410.0
490.0
400.0
Sulphate, mg/l
240.0
190.0
500.0
130.0
133.0
183.0
Chloride, mg/l
980.0
330.0
500.0
260.0
310.0
310.0
parameter
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Flouride, mg/l
0.2
0.2
0.3
0.2
0.2
0.6
pH value
8.3
8.2
8.3
8.6
8.2
8.0
Electrical Conductance
3840.0
1675.0
2610.0
1980.0
1665.0
1965.0
Total Dissolved salts, mg/l
2495.0
1085.0
1700.0
1285.0
1080.0
1275.0
Ammonical Nitrogen, mg/l
0.1
0.0
2.8
0.1
0.0
0.0
Table .2Water quality parameter for 2005 in north Chennai
2005
Location
Water Quality Parameter
Tondiarpet
Chinna
Kodungaiyur
Royapuram
Pulianthope
Villivakkam
Turbidity, NTU
2
2
2
2
3
Calcium, mg/l
220
108
200
184
96
Magnesium, mg/l
450
58
328
122
68
Hardness, mg/l
900
480
1850
860
260
Sulphate, mg/l
170
143
198
260
200
Chloride, mg/l
1250
350
1150
900
300
Flouride, mg/l
0.15
0.25
0.15
0.20
0.20
pH value
8.4
7.9
8.3
8.30
7.8
Electrical Conductance
4590
1830
4010
3600
1500
Total Dissolved salts, mg/l
2985
1190
2605
2340
1185
Ammonical Nitrogen, mg/l
0.04
0.03
0.04
0.04
0.03
Table .3 Water quality parameter for 2008 in north Chennai
2008
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Water Quality Parameter
Tondiarpet
Chinna
Kodungaiyur
Royapuram
Pulianthope
Villivakkam
Turbidity, NTU
2
2
2
6
3
Calcium, mg/l
128
140
172
224
48
Magnesium, mg/l
73
68
44
68
24
520
600
840
220
Hardness, mg/l
Sulphate, mg/l
116
148
142
164
57
Chloride, mg/l
270
250
430
620
100
Flouride, mg/l
0.15
0.20
0.10
0.10
0.40
pH value
7.4
7.5
7.5
7.60
8.2
Electrical Conductance
1400
1350
1765
3440
600
Total Dissolved salts, mg/l
910
880
1145
2235
390
Ammonical Nitrogen, mg/l
0.03
0.03
0.05
0.04
0.04
Table 4. Water quality parameter for 2011 in north Chennai
2011
Location
Water Quality Parameter
Tondiarpet
Chinna
Kodungaiyur
Royapuram
Pulianthope
Villivakkam
Turbidity, NTU
5
5
2
1
9
Calcium, mg/l
46
20
88
80
52
Magnesium, mg/l
21
6
68
7
36
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Hardness, mg/l
82
500
230
200
Sulphate, mg/l
40
104
150
120
80
Chloride, mg/l
52
84
510
180
120
Flouride, mg/l
0.1
0.10
0.1
0.1
0.15
pH value
8.8
8.9
9.1
8.6
8.3
Electrical Conductance
545
830
2380
1620
1185
Total Dissolved salts, mg/l
355
540
1540
1060
770
Ammonical Nitrogen, mg/l
0.02
0.02
0.02
0.02
0.03
Table .6 Water quality parameter for 2013 in north Chennai
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International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology (IJETT) – Volume 3 Issue 3 No 4 – June 2012
2013
Water Quality Parameter
Location
Total
Hardness,
mg/l
Calcium,
mg/l
pH
Fluoride,
mg/l
5200
8.1
0.26
440
138
1001
1430
8.28
0.26
400
112
0.3
2023
2890
8.29
0.41
540
160
Chinna
kodungaiyur
0.3
2051
2930
8.28
0.45
720
224
Periya
kodungaiyur
0.4
988
1411
7.96
0.33
316
86
0.3
824
1176
8.28
0.36
280
82
0.5
1030
1475
8.8
0.24
168
34
0.6
1036
1586
8.1
0.2
340
104
0.2
930
1334
7.84
0.31
184
35
0.3
379
541
7.13
0.32
152
34
0.2
820
1171
7.69
0.13
360
115
Parrys(high court)
0.1
800
1142
8.05
0.17
280
80
Mkb nagar
0.6
12000
17140
7.53
0.87
950
288
Vayarpadi (pst)
1
11260
16090
7.73
1.05
880
248
0.2
1570
2240
8.13
0.38
380
84
Turbidity,
NTU
TDS,
mg/l
Electrical
conductivity
Tondiarpet
45.6
3640
ECI matric hss
school
0
tondairpet park
Kodungaiyur
Ezhil Hospital
Royapuram
Vallalar nagar
(stanleyhospital)
George town
kovsil
Port trust kovil
Pulianthope (kovil
well)
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International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology (IJETT) – Volume 3 Issue 3 No 4 – June 2012
Flower market
0.5
1069
1526
8.38
0.27
320
90
0.2
798
1139
8.19
0.12
360
99
0.4
738
1054
8.49
0.73
320
94
Iron,
Free
Ammonia,
Ayanavaram
Villivakkam
Table 7 Water quality parameter for 2013 in north Chennai
2013
Water Quality Parameter
Location
Magnesium,
mg/l
Sodium,
mg/l
Sulphate,
mg/l
mg/l
Tondiarpet
23
960
63
ECI matric hss
school
28
120
tondairpet park
34
Chinna
kodungaiyur
Periya
kodungaiyur
Chloride,
mg/l
Nitrite
mg/l
mg/l
14.25
0
0.08
1270
1
0.21
0.2
3.26
220
400
103
0.26
0.6
0
480
38
300
77
0.41
0.1
0.3
600
24
160
89
0.26
6.1
1.91
210
18
120
84
0.31
0
0.65
168
20
250
20
0.05
0.1
1.29
340
19
200
79
0.16
0
0.01
300
23
200
17
0.08
0.1
0.15
196
Kodungaiyur
Ezhil Hospital
Royapuram
Vallalar nagar
(stanleyhospital)
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George town
16
45
27
0.1
0.5
0.01
90
17
75
68
0.1
0
0.01
160
Parrys(high court)
19
110
15
0.05
0.1
0
245
Mkb nagar
55
3200
15
0.06
7.5
0.04
5800
Vayarpadi (pst)
62
3200
13
0.05
3.7
0.88
5500
Pulianthope (kovil
well)
41
300
18
0.08
0.1
0
390
Flower market
23
170
76
0.62
0.2
0.07
290
27
100
54
0.26
0
0.19
182
20
100
54
0.21
0
0
160
Port trust kovil
Ayanavaram
Villivakkam
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