Water Quality of Hot Water Unkeshwar Spring of Maharashtra, India

Physical, chemical, ionic, biological studies were conducted at hot springs Unkeshwar in (Maharashtra State, India). It is positioned on south east corner of Maharashtra. Unkeshwar is situated on the bank of river Penganga. Objective: This papers aims to study the physical, chemical and biological properties in the ecological system of Unkeshwar spring. Methods: The physical and chemical parameters were analyzed as per APHA. Results: The physical parameters included: Temperature, Total solids, Total dissolved solids, Total suspended solids and electrical conductivity. The chemical parameters included: pH, free carbon-dioxide, total hardness, calcium hardness, magnesium hardness, Phenolphthalein alkalinity, total alkalinity, Salinity. Ionic parameters like chloride, phosphate, sulphate, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, iron, chromium and manganese. Also the biological parameters studied standard plate count and most probable number. Conclusions: The water quality comparison of Unkeshwar spring in Nanded reveals that although the situation is not worst but it has to be maintained. Some of the water characteristics are below the permissible limit in the post-monsoon season and some are above the permissible limits in pre-monsoon season. This may be due to dilution of water by raining. Overall study showed that the water is more polluted in pre-monsoon as compared to post-monsoon. Hence this hot water spring should be preserved for its sulphur contents that possess medicinal value and cure skin diseases.