A Laboratory Study on the Physico-Chemical Characteristics of Various Surface Water Bodies in Coimbatore City, Tamil Nadu

The main objective of the study is focused on water quality assessment of various surface water bodies in the Coimbatore city during winter (January 2011) and summer (April 2011). About 75% of the population in the area selected depends on the lake water for domestic purposes, agriculture and industrial purposes. Water samples were collected from four lakes in and around Coimbatore having the same source. The physical and chemical parameters like pH, turbidity, total dissolved solids, electrical conductivity, hardness, concentration of calcium, magnesium, iron, free ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, chloride, fluoride, sulphate and phosphate were analysed and compared with standard techniques. The data were analysed by comparing the values with BIS standards. The studies revealed that water in all the four surface water bodies are to be pre-treated suitably and could be employed for drinking, agriculture and industrial purposes.