Assessment of Physico-Chemical Characteristics of Groundwater in Chennai

The present work is aimed to analyse physico-chemical characteristics of groundwater in a part area of Chennai, where agriculture is the main livelihood of rural and urban people and the groundwater is the main source for irrigation and drinking. It is noted that in Tamil Nadu, there is evidently much dependence on groundwater due to scarce surface water. Overexploitation of groundwater might lead to complex environmental situation. Hence, a thorough investigation of quality parameters is necessary to ensure the potability of water. The area taken for study purpose is Karayanchavadi which is a part of Chennai in the vicinity of Bay of Bengal. Groundwater samples were collected from 30 wells in the study area and analysed for pH, EC, TDS, TA, TH, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Cl^-, SO₄^-2, NO₃^- and F^-. A comparison of the groundwater quality in relation to drinking water quality was made. It was found that pH of all the samples was neutral to slightly alkaline. Fluorides, iron and calcium of 90% samples were within the permissible limits. Total dissolved solids, total hardness, sulphate and magnesium of all the samples were within the permissible limits.