Assessment of Water Quality Status of Guruvayur Municipality

Abstract

Groundwater is an essential and vital component of our life support system. The deterioration in the groundwater quality due to geogenic and anthropogenic activities has drawn great attention as it is the major alternate source of domestic and drinking water supply. Groundwater and surface water samples collected from various locations in Guruvayur were analysed for selected physico-chemical and bacteriological parameters by adopting APHA standard methods. The results of the analysis indicated the chemical and bacteriological contamination due to the disposal of solid, organic and septic wastes in the surface water samples of Chakkamkandam, Palayur and Edappally which are the various locations in Gurauvayur. Also the groundwater samples of Guruvayur were contaminated. The study revealed that, the water samples examined were found to be above the permissible limits of Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The sewage inlets that open directly to the water body are the major source of pollutants. The monitoring of various water bodies indicates the importance of taking appropriate measures to treat the water resources before either discharged to wetlands or consumed by human beings. It is also recommended to continue the monitoring periodically to assess the pollution status of the area.