A Spatial Study on Variation in Physico-Chemical (Water Quality) Parameters in the Surface Water of River Lokapavani in Mandya District, Karnataka

Comprehensive spatial study along the full length of river Lokapavani revealed that the physico-chemical (water quality) variables studied show abrupt pattern. This abrupt pattern may be due to different geographical condition or addition of waste water from different point and nonpoint sources. Mid-stream surface water was collected along the river Lokapavani from four different sites between 07.30 am and 12.30 pm. Water samples were collected in a clean, well rinsed 15 litre capacity polythene bucket and transferred to 5 litres polythene container. Determination of physico-chemical (water quality) variables was followed based on APHA (1992). The environmental parameters such as Conductivity, SWV, Chloride, TASA and Calcium responded differently with respect to spatial variation in the site LPR-4. This may be due to entry of used water from irrigated fields and other wastes water from the adjoining sugar cane crushing industries to this site, human activity like bathing, washing cloths, vehicles, cattle and bullock cart etc. , were commonly noticed in this site during spatial investigation or due to differences in superficial geology might be the reason. Further, some of the water quality parameters such as, DO, BOD, Chloride, Carbon di-Oxide, Nitrate, Sulphate, Calcium were well within the permissible limits, where as the values of Conductivity, Turbidity, COD, Phosphate and Total Suspended Solids were above the permissible limits of drinking water standards as prescribed by WHO, ISI and USPH. Hence, in the present investigation the content of some of the parameters could be minimized and indiscriminate entry of domestic sewage, agricultural runoff and other effluents into this running water course is prevented.