WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT FOR ITS IMPACT ON CONCRETE DURABILITY ? A CASE STUDY

Due to rapid industrialization, the river Yamuna is among the most polluted rivers which originates from Yamunotri glaciers (elevation 6300m) in the Himalayas. The discharge of untreated domestic and industrial effluents has affected the quality of Yamuna River and ruling out the possibility for underwater life and domestic supply. Impurities in the form of sewage, dirt and other floating materials contributed in downgrading water quality. In the same time, due to rapid modernization, a large number of construction projects are upcoming in the catchment area of the river. In this scenario, it is important to evaluate its water quality to envisage its effect on concrete durability. CSMRS has studied the water quality of the Yamuna river, Nallahs and few ground water (hand pump) locations situated in the catchment area of the river flowing at Delhi for three seasons in pre-monsoon, Monsoon and lean seasons. The water samples were analysed in laboratory for the parameters mentioned in IS: 456 ? 2000 & CPCB standards. Langelier Index values of the river samples are found negative in majority of river locations indicating the water is aggressive in nature. The high values of suspended solids & alkalinity values in lean and pre-monsoon seasons in majority of locations makes the water unfit for construction as per IS 456 ? 2000. The Nallah water quality found polluted as per CPCB norms. Present study highlights the seasonal change in water quality of river, nallah and ground water to evaluate its suitability for use in concrete making. The study indicates that there is an urgent need to check the inflow of pollution loads emanating from different external sources for making the water quality fit for concrete construction