Study of Ground Water Quality in Cooum Belt

Groundwater is a component of hydrological cycle which occupies the voids in the saturated zone of the earth’s crust and moves in the voids of sedimentary rocks or in the fractures and joints of hard rocks. The major natural and pure source of drinking water is ground water. The current project studies the quality of ground water in Chennai city – Cooum belt2. Cooum River is geographically located at latitude (13.0683 degrees) 13° 4’ 5” North of the Equator and longitude (80.286 degrees) 80° 17’ 9” East of the Prime Meridian on the Map of Chennai. The river is a drainage course originating near Sattarai in Tiruvallur District and it takes a meandering course west to east for about 16 km within the city. It travels along major areas of the city (stated as the Cooum belt) such as Arumbakkam, Aminjikarai, Chetpet, Egmore, Pudupet, Chindadripet, and Island Grounds and finally joins the Bay of Bengal3. Pollution of ground water resources due to infiltration of polluted water from Cooum River is highly possible and hence the Cooum belt is chosen for the studies4. 2. Methods


Introduction
Groundwater is a component of hydrological cycle which occupies the voids in the saturated zone of the earth's crust and moves in the voids of sedimentary rocks or in the fractures and joints of hard rocks. The major natural and pure source of drinking water is ground water. The current project studies the quality of ground water in Chennai city -Cooum belt 2 .
Cooum River is geographically located at latitude (13.0683 degrees) 13° 4' 5" North of the Equator and longitude (80.286 degrees) 80° 17' 9" East of the Prime Meridian on the Map of Chennai. The river is a drainage course originating near Sattarai in Tiruvallur District and it takes a meandering course west to east for about 16 km within the city. It travels along major areas of the city (stated as the Cooum belt) such as Arumbakkam, Aminjikarai, Chetpet, Egmore, Pudupet, Chindadripet, and Island Grounds and finally joins the Bay of Bengal 3 .
Pollution of ground water resources due to infiltration of polluted water from Cooum River is highly possible and hence the Cooum belt is chosen for the studies 4 .   On testing the samples obtained from Maduravoyil, it was inferred that for both the months not much variation was seen in the values of the physico-chemical parameters and the water in this area is fit for all the domestic purposes.
It was observed that the values of fluoride obtained were less than that desirable value of 1 mg/l in Thirumangalam area. Steps must be taken to increase the fluoride content in groundwater to avoid the occurrence of dental fluorosis in kids (Table 3).
On testing the samples and studying the results obtained, it was inferred that the groundwater in this area has high amount of total dissolved solids. Also the water is hard and has less amount of fluoride than desired. Thus, the groundwater here is not fit for consumption and speedy measures must be taken to restore the groundwater quality.
On testing the samples obtained, it was inferred that for both the months not much variation was seen in the values of the physio-chemical parameters and the water in this area is fit for all the domestic purposes 5 .           On testing the samples and observing the results, it was inferred that the groundwater in Pachayappas area has high amount of total dissolved solids. Also the water is hard. It was also inferred that the groundwater contained high amount of nitrate. Thus, the groundwater here is not fit for consumption. There is an immediate need to look out for another source of water.
It was observed that the values of fluoride obtained were less than that desirable value of 1 mg/l in Chetpet.
Steps must be taken to increase the fluoride content in groundwater to avoid the occurrence of dental fluorosis in kids.
It was observed that the values of fluoride obtained were less than that desirable value of 1 mg/l in Kilpauk.
Steps must be taken to increase the fluoride content in groundwater to avoid the occurrence of dental fluorosis in kids.
It was observed that the values of fluoride obtained were less than that desirable value of 1 mg/l in Egmore.
Steps must be taken to increase the fluoride content in groundwater to avoid the occurrence of dental fluorosis in kids. Also the values of total dissolved solids are almost the permissible limit of 2000 mg/l.
It was inferred that the values of fluoride obtained were less than that desirable value of 1 mg/l in Park Station.
Steps must be taken to increase the fluoride content in groundwater to avoid the occurrence of dental fluorosis for kids.
On testing the samples and observing the results, it was inferred that the groundwater in Fort St.George has high amount of total dissolved solids. It was also inferred that the groundwater contained high amount of nitrate. Thus, the groundwater here is not fit for consumption. There is an immediate need to look out for another source of water.

Conclusion
A regular monitoring of Groundwater quality should be done in the areas of Anna Nagar and Pachayappas where water was found to have high total dissolved solids compared to other test areas. Nitrate was found higher in ground water drawn from sources of Fort St.George and Pachayappas. Hence, there is a need to look out for an alternative source to meet the domestic needs. Possibility of pollution of ground water resources in Cooum belt areas is indicated by the study.