Physico-Chemical, Biochemical and Heavy Metals Analysis of Subsurface Waters Near Non-Point Source for Assessing Their Quality for End User Application

Abstract

Keeping in view the hectic agricultural activities in East Godavari region of Andhra Pradesh, India and utilization of subsurface waters by rural public in habitations in the nearby agricultural non point source, it is proposed to analyze the subsurface waters for physico-chemical parameters viz., pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, total hardness, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, total alkalinity, Na⁺, K⁺, Cl^–, SO₄^2–, PO₄^3–, F^–, NO₃^–, heavy metals like Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, As and also to analyze for bacterial species to evaluate the quality of subsurface waters for consideration for end user application. The research results revealed that the waters are chemically contaminated and unsuitable for drinking and domestic utility. Though the heavy metal levels are within the permissible limits of drinking waters standards, the waters are found to contain pathogenic bacteria like Klebsiella, Proteus, Enterobacter, Pseudomonas and E. coli indicating the microbial contamination making these waters unsuitable for drinking and domestic purposes.