Hydrochemical assessment of the pollutants in groundwaters of Vrishabhavathi Valley Basin in Bangalore (India)

Abstract

The present study aims at the assessment of groundwater quality in and around the Vrishabhavathi Valley, the erstwhile fresh water stream, today carrying huge quantities of industrial, agricultural and domestic effluents from the western part of Bangalore metropolis. Groundwater samples were collected from both bore wells and open wells along the Vrishabhavathi watershed and subjected to a comprehensive physico-chemical and bacteriological analysis. The study revealed that 57% of the samples were non-potable due to their values when compared to the BIS standards. The concentrations of nitrate and total hardness were found higher than the standards in 43.33% and 40% of the samples respectively. 50% of the samples examined, indicated bacterial contamination in the groundwater.