Industrialisation triggers ground water contamination in Guntur: Study

The water is acidic or alkaline, highly turbid and hard.
Acharya Nagarjuna University, located between Vijayawada and Guntur, falls in the high growth corridor after the state capital was shifted from Hyderabad to Vijayawada-Guntur region.
“The physico-chemical analysis of groundwater quality in industrial areas of Guntur city reveals that groundwater is largely affected by various types of contaminants from industries.
Total dissolved solids, total hardness, total alkalinity and chlorides are very high in groundwater in peripheral regions around industrial locations in Guntur,” warns a research study by the department of environmental sciences, Acharya Nagarjuna University.
Samples were taken from three places for analysis – Autonagar, the Masjid Omar site near Autonagar and Acharya Nagarjuna University campus – to check if groundwater in industrial areas was fit for human use.
“The results revealed that the water quality failed to meet drinking water standards.
Expressing concern over high alkalinity or acidity of groundwater, the researchers said though this does not directly affect human health, it indicates “an alarming increase in ions in the groundwater through industrial leachate contamination.” The researchers called for an evaluation of the environmental impact of human activities and formulation of strategies for groundwater conservation on a high priority basis.
The water samples had a low pH value indicating acidity during the summer season.
“This indicates a future threat that might lead to the dissolution of more heavy metals, thus rendering the water unsuitable for potability,” the study said, while suggesting continuous monitoring.
The results indicated that chlorides ranged between 72 mg per litre at Acharya Nagarjuna University during summer and 6,000 mg per litre at Autonagar during monsoon.

City stares at water scarcity

Ads by Kiosked Vijayawada: Water contamination may hit the city this summer, in addition to possible scarcity as the water level in River Krishna dipped by four feet.
While the water contamination is something to do with people fitting motor pumps to municipal taps in many areas, the water scarcity is associated with 33 per cent evaporation loss in reservoir which has already receded.According to official sources, the water level in reservoir is eight feet at present.
Highlights: Water level at the reservoir current stands at 8 feet Water contamination reported at different places Though this level was just four feet same time last year, the clear water may not lost for long.
Officials are optimistic that the monsoon may touch the State by June first week.They are also hopeful on groundwater which is available at 60 feet.
If this calculation goes wrong in summer, the problem arises.
On the other hand, if the water is drawn from low level of the reservoir, it contains dead things or bacteria.
It also has odour which is difficult to treat.
The other source of water getting contaminated is excessive use of motors fitted to pipelines to draw water from supply lines.
As many as 67 reservoirs at different places are supplying water to people according to a specific schedule.
The wastage accounts for 10 per cent of the supply.An official at VMC said that they have been chalking out plans to mitigate water problem in slums and other localities.