Groundwater quality investigation in Gandarvakottai, Karambakkudi, Alangudi, Aranthangi Taluks, in Pudukkottai district, Tamilnadu

Water is a vital resource for human survival. In the present study, the physicochemical characteristics of groundwater of Alangudy, Aranthangi, Gandharvakkottai and Karambakkudi Taluks, Pudukkottai District, Tamilnadu, India. In the study area were assessed for its suitability for drinking and irrigation purposes. A total of 100 water samples were collected from tube wells from different parts of study area area. In order to assess the ground water quality, the water samples were analyzed for different physicochemical properties, e.g., pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), calcium, magnesium, total harness (TH), sodium, potassium, carbonate, bicarbonate, chloride, and sulphate concentrations. The results were compared with the standards prescribed by World Health Organization (WHO) and Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS). All the physiochemical parameters were found to be in the prescribed permissible limit. The chemical composition of the ground water is controlled by rock water interaction with sandstone, clay and Archaean to Proterozoic deposits. The chemical quality was evaluated for drinking use following the guidelines of WHO. The water quality index indicated that most of the sampling locations come under good category indicating the suitability of water for human use. Due to the industrialization and agricultural disposal some of the sampling locations became unfit