Evaluation of chemical and microbial quality of groundwater of Moradabad City, India

An attempt has been made to study the hydrogeochemical and microbial characteristics of groundwater in Moradabad City to assess major ion chemistry and microbial contamination. For each season (June and November 2012), 39 groundwater samples were collected and analysed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), cations (Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , Na + , K + ) and anions (Cl − , HCO 3 − , SO 4 2− , NO 3 − ), and 19 water samples were collected to analyse the presence of heterotrophic bacterial plate count, total and faecal coliforms in June and November 2012. The results showed slightly alkaline nature of water with alkalis as dominant cations and bicarbonate having abundance over Cl+SO 4 amongst anions. The dominant facies in the pre-monsoon period is Na+K-Cl+SO 4 , and in the post monsoon, it is Na+K-HCO 3 . Results show that chloride in four samples of both the seasons is found to be above permissible limit. Sulphate is >200 mg/l in four samples, during pre-monsoon and during post-monsoon, all samples cross this limit. Nitrate concentration is >45 mg/l in seven samples during pre-monsoon and in four samples during post-monsoon, indicating anthropogenic influences. Microbiological results show elevated levels of heterotrophic bacterial count in water samples. Water samples also showed positive test results for total and faecal coliform which should be zero according to the guidelines proposed by WHO, thus suggesting its unsuitability for drinking and other domestic purpose as well. Relationship of silica with TDS and chloride depict anthropogenic impact on the groundwater of the study area.