Groundwater quality for domestic use in Mahabubnagar District, Telangana State, India with special emphasis on Fluoride Distribution

To investigate the quality of groundwater for domestic use in parts of Mahabubnagar district, Telangana state, 45 water samples from Bore wells, Dug wells and Hand pumps were collected during June, 2013 (premonsoon) and November, 2013 (postmonsoon). The samples were analyzed for the physicochemical parameters pH, EC, TDS, TH, Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Cl^{, CO₃2, HCO₃, NO₃, SO2₄, in order to assess the quality and suitability of groundwater for domestic use with special focus on fluoride, using standard methods, since high concentration of fluoride in drinking water causes skeletal and dental fluorosis. The fluoride concentration in the study area ranges from 0.42 to 4 mg/l. About 35% of the collected samples were above the permissible limits during premonsoon and during postmonsoon, 68% were above the permissible limits prescribed by WHO (2011) and ISI (1983). Based on the present analysis, it is suggested that constant monitoring of fluoride concentration is required as groundwater is the only source of drinking water in the study area.}