Assessing Factors Controlling the Hydrochemistry and suitability of Groundwater for Drinking Purpose in Dharamshala Area of Himachal Pradesh, India

This paper highlights the seasonal variation of physical, chemical and biological water quality parameters and compares its suitability for drinking purpose. For this study, 17 Ground water samples from different hand pumps and springs were collected randomly from the research area in the month of June (pre-monsoon period) and October (post-monsoon period) respectively to examine its quality for various physico-chemical such as pH, EC (Electrical conductivity), TDS (Total dissolved solids), major cations (calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium) and anions (carbonate, bicarbonate, chloride, sulphate, phosphate, nitrate, and fluoride) and microbiological analysis. The results were then compared with standard limits recommended by Indian Standard Institution, Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR), Bureau of Indian standards (BIS), and World Health Organization (WHO) for drinking purpose.