QUALITATIVE CHARACTERIZATION OF GROUNDWATER RESOURCES FOR IRRIGATION- A CASE STUDY FROM SRIKAKULAM AREA, ANDHRA PRADESH, INDIA

The rapid growth in the population caused unprecedented increase in demand of water resources. Besides, an improved quality of life is often associated with higher water demands. The suitability of a particular water for irrigation use depends on many factors; chemical quality of water being an important one. Quality criteria for irrigation use are based on the tolerance of plants, properties of soils, climate and irrigation practices, Water consumed by plants should be free from dissolved material. Plants normally retain some nutrients and mineral matter originally dissolved in water, and the cations and anions, so retained is a small part of their total content. The mineral matter retained by plants consists mostly of calcium and magnesium salts (Easton, 1954). Other soluble matter remains behind in the soil. Calcium carbonate may precipitate harmlessly in the soil as solute concentrations increases, but the bulk of the residual solute creates disposable problems that must be solved effectively to maintain the fertility of the irrigated soil. The most pertinent chemical properties patient to the evaluation of solubility of water for agricultural use are as Sodium concentration, an index showing the sodium or alkali hazards., Total concentration of soluble salts, an index showing salinity hazard, Residual Sodium Carbonate concentration. Hence, a scientific study, which includes various integrated methodologies and evaluation of alluvial aquifers, has been proposed in Nagavali and Vamsadhara river basin, in Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh, Indian.