Monitoring of drinking water quality of Gopuri region of Wardha city , Maharashtra

A study of water samples from the historical area, Gopuri of Wardha (M. S.) has been carried out to examine its portability for domestic purposes. The samples from three different places viz., Gitai Nagar (S1), Snehal Nagar (S2) & Laxmi Nagar (S3) were collected. The physicochemical parameters were studied. The parameters were analyzed & compared with standard values prescribed by American Public Health Association (APHA) & World Health Organization.


INTRODUCTION
Wardha is an important city in India due to "Bapu-Kuti" of Mahatma Gandhi.The Gitai Nagar area (Gopuri) is of historical importance being surrounded by Gitai Mandir & Vishwa Shanti Stoop.Water is one of the most precious gifts of nature to mankind.A mark deterioration in water has been noticed in number of locations in the study area.Physicochemical studies on bore well water of Dohod, Gujarat were studied 1 .Water quality depends on Efficacy of disinfection, Temperature, solar rays.

EXPERIMENTAL
In the present study, water samples have been collected from three different areas located in Gopuri area of Wardha (M.S.).Samples were collected in polythene & glass bottles with necessary precautions 2 .
All chemicals used are of A. R. grade.Double distilled water is used for the preparation of solutions & reagents.The water quality parameters considered for the examination in the study are colour, temperature, turbidity, pH, density, surface tension, viscosity, electrical conductance, total dissolved solid, hardness, alkalinity, dissolved oxygen, chloride, and copper.All the parameters were evaluated by the standard methods prescribed by APHA 3 .Calcium & Magnesium hardness of water was estimated by Complexometric titration method 4 .Chioride contents were determined volumetrically by AgNO 3 titrimetric method using potassium chromate as an indicator & was calculated in terms of mg/L.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The physicochemical data of bore well water samples (mean values) were collected in December 2008 are presented in table 1.
Results of the samples vary with different collecting places because of different nature of soil contamination 4 .

Temperature
All physiological activities & life processes of aquatic organisms are generally influenced by water temperature.In the present study, temperature range from 24-25 o C. pH pH value of drinking water is an important index of acidity, alkalinity & resulting value of the acidic-basic interaction of a number of its minerals & organic components.pH below 6.5 causes corrosion in pipes, resulting in release of toxic metals.pH of water in the studied region was in the range of 6.88 to 7.47, which lies in the range prescribed by APHA 3 .

Density, Surface Tension & Viscosity
Density ranges from 0.9706-1.1192gm/ cm 3 .While surface tension was highest at S 2 & lowest at S 1 .Viscosities of the three studied regions were in the comparable range.

Electrical Conductivity
Conductivity measurements give a rapid & practical instrument of variation of dissolved minerals content of a water sample.In our study electrical conductivity ranged from 0.89 to 1.00 mM.

TDS
According to WHO & Indian Standards, TDS values should be less than 500 mg/lit for drinking water.In the present study, TDS ranged from 440 to 720 mg/liL.The findings indicate that the sample of Laxmi Nagar (S 3 ) just crosses the permissible limit.The water from the well is used by local people for drinking purpose.The reason for high TDS is not clear.While TDS of S 1 & S 2 lies in the range suggested by WHO & Indian Standards 5 .

Hardness
The hardness of water is not pollution parameter but indicates the water quality mainly in terms of Ca ++ & Mg ++ expressed as CaCO 3 .It is the property of which prevent the lather formation with soap.The acceptable limit of total hardness is 200 mg/L which can be extended to 600 mg/lit (ISI 1982).The hardness values are well within permissible limit.