Assessment of Underground Tube Well Water Quality in Different Agro-climatic Regions of the Punjab State, India

During the past five decades, Punjab has witnessed a tremendous progress in agricultural production. Improved irrigational facilities, especially, the increased utilization of underground water resources among others, have played a major role in giving a boost to agriculture sector. Due to increased dependence on these, underground water quality in certain areas has deteriorated posing a serious health concern for the environment. Assessment of the ground water quality may provide useful information to ensure sustainable use of the natural resources for various purposes. The present study was conducted in June–July 2012 with the objectives of investigating the quality and suitability of irrigation water in the three agro-climatic regions, namely, sub-mountaneous, central and south western of Punjab. Various water parameters viz., pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC), cations (Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺) and anions (CO₃^2-, HCO₃⁻ and Cl⁻) were analysed using standard procedures. Based on the residual sodium carbonate values, all the samples in the sub-mountaneous region were found to be fully fit for irrigation, while in the central and south western regions only around 40% and 41% of the tube well water samples were found to be fully fit for irrigation. In certain areas, higher values of residual sodium content in the tube well water samples were observed, possibly, due to lower concentration of Ca + Mg ions. Poorly drained or fine textured soils if irrigated with these waters, could witness the development of black kallar. Around 2% samples in the south-western region were found to be unfit for irrigation on the basis of EC values. This indicates towards higher accumulation of soluble salts in underground water aquifers of the region. Efficient water resource management along with the judicious use of these resources with proper amendments is necessary to avoid any impeding health hazards in these salt-affected regions of Punjab.