ENGR. MARY APPLE O. SANCHEZ
MEP-CE Student
MEP 313 GROUNDWATER
JOURNAL CRITIQUING
A. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The title of the study is “Groundwater Quality Investigations”. Groundwater is becoming an important
source of water supply in many regions since there has been a tremendous increase in the demand for
fresh water due to growth in population. Water quality investigations of groundwater in Gokak, Mudhol,
Biligi and Bagalkot taluks of Ghataprabha irrigation command of Karnataka, India have been studied
during November 2006 and evaluated the suitability of water for drinking, domestic and irrigation
purposes. The groundwater samples were collected from 34 locations including 33 bore wells and 19 open
wells. The parameters were analyzed for pH, EC, TDS, Hardness, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium,
Potassium, Carbonate, Bicarbonate, Chloride and Sulphate with the help of standard method of APHA.
SAR and Na% values evaluated for irrigation suitability. An attempt has also been made to classify the
groundwater on the basis of Piper trilinear and U.S.Salinity Laboratory classification.
B. SUMMARY OF THE RESEARCH STUDY
The main aim of the researcher is to to assess the quality of groundwater and to classify the water in order
to evaluate the water suitability for drinking, domestic and irrigation purposes. Hence the present study
aims to conduct detailed investigations on groundwater quality in Gokak, Mudhol, Biligi and Bagalkot
taluks of Ghataprabha irrigation command of Karnataka, India. The rising salinity of ground water used
for water supply and irrigation is a major problem. Therefore it is absolutely necessary to ascertain the
potability of water before it is used for human consumption.
In order to assess the groundwater chemistry, groundwater samples were collected from 34 locations
including 33 bore wells and 19 open wells during November, 2006. The water samples from bore wells
including hand pumps and open wells were collected by dip or grab sampling method. The samples were
collected from wells, which are being extensively used for agriculture, drinking and other domestic
purposes.
C. CRITICAL EVALUATION OF THE STUDY
It is observed from the chemical analysis of the samples for drinking purposes The parameters like pH,
carbonate, bicarbonate, Total hardness, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium and sulphate are
within the permissible limit prescribed by WHO, ICMR and BIS. It clearly answer the problem of
the study. The US salinity diagram indicates that, all the samples falls within medium to very high salinity
hazard and low to very high sodium hazard.