Ground water quality characteristics at Erode district, Tamilnadu India

Ground water samples were collected from 60 locations in Erode District during premonsoon and post monsoon seasons. Ground water samples were tested for 11 physicochemical parameters following the standard methods and procedures. World Health Organisation(WHO) standards were adopted for calculation of Water Quality Index (WQI). Comparison of observed and estimated values based on water quality indices revealed that drinking water at almost allthe locations were found to be highly contaminated, except a few locations, where it was found to be moderately contaminated for both the monsoons. WQI provides an easy and rapid method of monitoring of water quality. It also becomes easier to compare the quality levels in different locations and to give priorityfor the required treatment to the location.