ASSESSMENT OF WATER QUALITY INDEX FOR THE GROUNDWATER IN VADDESWARAM, ANDHRA PRADESH

The water quality index (WQI) is an important parameter for determining the drinking water quality for the end users. The study for the same has been carried on the groundwater by collecting groundwater samples from Vaddeswaram village in Guntur district Andhra Pradesh. In order to develop WQI the samples were subjected to a comprehensive physicochemical and biological analysis of parameters such as pH, turbidity, acidity, alkalinity, fluorides, chloride, electrical conductivity, total hardness, BOD. Geographical information system has been used to map the sampling area. WQI index were plotted from the values obtained by the analysis of various parameters by using empirical method and online software method. The WQI index for the same has been calculated and the values ranged from 53.078 to 293.146. The WQI values from present study indicate the very poor quality water in the area dominated by industrial and construction activities. Poor water quality has been observed in commercial zone of the study area. The analysis reveals the fact that the ground water of the Vaddeswaram needs a degree of treatment before consumption and needs to be protected from further contamination.