Study on the Qualitative Assessment of Ground Water along with Quantitative Aspect for Agricultural and Drinking purposes in the Granite Gneissic Terrain of Western Purulia West Bengal India

Abstract

The present study on the Qualitative Assessment of Ground Water along with Quantitative Aspect for Agricultural and Drinking purposes in the Granite Gneissic Terrain of Western Purulia, West Bengal, India investigates groundwater availability and quality in Western blocks of Purulia district, which is a semi-arid, hard rock terrain facing water scarcity. With limited rainfall and agriculture as the main livelihood, irrigation relies heavily on groundwater extracted from shallow tube wells. This research aims to assess both seasonal groundwater level fluctuations and hydrochemical properties to evaluate suitability for drinking and irrigation use. Using a combination of field data, including seasonal water levels from 60 sites and lab-analyzed water samples, along with secondary data sources, the study applies the AHP method with nine parameters to delineate groundwater potential zones. Most areas show moderate groundwater potential, validated by water level fluctuation data. Hydrochemical analysis reveals Ca-HCOand#8323; as the dominant groundwater facies, driven by rock-water interaction and silicate weathering, with major contaminants like fluoride and nitrate identified mainly from geogenic and anthropogenic sources, respectively. Irrigation suitability assessments indicate overall acceptable quality, with some areas exceeding permissible limits for specific parameters. Drinking water quality mostly falls within WHO and BIS standards, though fluoride and nitrate pose health risks, particularly to infants and females. Recommendations for sustainable water management include organic farming, modern irrigation techniques, artificial recharge, and defluoridation units for affected areas. This integrated approach can assist the concerned authorities in effective and integrated ground water management in similar regions, especially in developing countries. newline newline