Water Quality of Traditional Drinking Water Sources in Outer Himalayas - A Case Study of Hamirpur District, H.P.

The study deals with the analysis of waters from traditional sources of drinking water like wells, baories and khatries in the Hamirpur district of Himachal Pradesh. Average pH value of the samples for the wells and baories is less than 7.0, but more than 7.0 for khatries. The average value of electrical conductivity for the wells and baories is much higher than the value for the khatries. Total alkalinity value for all the sources is almost the same. The total hardness value for the khatries is slightly more than the value for the wells and baories. The chloride content for the khatries is slightly higher than the value for the wells and baories. The calcium value of khatries is slightly higher than wells and baories. Bacteriological contamination is more in wells and baories than khatries. The water in 60% wells, 55% baories and 36% khatries is contaminated and not fit for human consumption.