GROUNDWATER CONTAMINATION IN A PART OF WESTERN DELTA OF KRISHNA RIVER BASIN

The management and maintenance of groundwater quality play a vital role in the development of a region as well as health aspects of living beings in that area. The contamination of groundwater also affects crop yield and production of crop. Hence a systematic study has been carried out to assess the ground water quality in Vallabharaopalem (Latitude: 16.05580 N; Longitude: 80.52510 E) and Upparapalem (Latitude: 16.08040 N; Longitude: 80.50130 E) villages of Ponnur mandal in Guntur district, which is a part of western delta of Krishna river in Andhra Pradesh state of India. The formations in the study area belong to recent alluvium. Groundwater occurs under unconfined conditions. The groundwater is analyzed for various physico-chemical parameters. Values of most of these parameters such as electrical conductivity fall beyond the standard limits for drinking water. The chloridebicarbonate ratio more than 6 as per Revel's classification suggested that the groundwater is injuriously contaminated with saline water. The present attempt is made to understand the contamination in the groundwater quality. Suitable precautionary measures are suggested for sustainable development of ground water quality to maintain the environmental balance in the study area. The present study can be extended in similar critical contaminated areas throughout the world.