Assessment of groundwater quality - A case study of Kondapur mandal, Medak district, Andhra Pradesh

The suitability of groundwater for drinking purpose with respect to BIS: 10500-1991standards is assessed through statistical analysis of the data and on the basis of seasonal variation in the quality of groundwater. The study was undertaken during 2010-2011. The samples are collected during post monsoon period from bore wells being monitored by the Andhra Pradesh Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Department. The study area comprises of Kondapur Mandal, which is one of the 46 mandals of Medak District lying in the semi-arid Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh. The Mandal has 23 Revenue villages with no towns accounting to a total population of about 45000 as per census 2001. As per water quality index (WQI) values, the groundwater in the study area during post monsoon ranging from “Good” to “Unfit for drinking” and no where it was found “excellent.” The poor quality of water is due to higher concentrations of fluoride and increased total hardness values. It is found that about 84% of the samples analyzed are suitable for drinking. Correlation amongst all the parameters was found to be positive but weak. Only fluoride showed negative correlation with other parameters but it is very weak. This indicates that there is no regionally extensive factor governing the water quality and it is varying with local conditions only.