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Assessment of Physico-chemical Parameters and Water Quality Index of

Bhavanisagar Reservoir, Tamil Nadu

Article in Indian Journal of Ecology · October 2021

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 Manuscript Number: 3343
Indian Journal of Ecology (2021) 48(4): 1120-1123 NAAS Rating: 5.79

Assessment of Physico-chemical Parameters and Water Quality

Index of Bhavanisagar Reservoir, Tamil Nadu

C. Rojamadhuvanthi, M. Harsita and P.B. Harathi

Department of Zoology, PSGR Krishnammal College for Women, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
*
E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: The present study employs the technique of WQI to provide the overall quality of water. The evaluation of physico-chemical
parameters values were within or below permissible limits which was also confirmed by WQI indicated that the water of the reservoir was
oligotrophic in nature and an ideal source for drinking and irrigation purposes. The adequate nutritional load of the water would suffice a
balanced growth of micro and macro organisms and provides a well-balanced and sustained aquatic ecosystem.

Keywords: Water quality, Quality assessment, WQI, Physico-chemical parameters, Bhavanisagar reservoir

Dynamic function of an ecosystem is determined by the protection, preservation and utilization of water resources. In
th
water availability of the region. About 3/4 of the world's total a water quality study, analytical parameters vary according to
surface is covered by water in which 1.2% is surface water the purpose of study and function of water body (Sawant et al
which is used for human consumption. In India, monsoon 2013). Physical and chemical parameters are the quality
prevails from June – September, which is mainly fed by determinants of a water body. Water Quality Index (WQI) is a
Southwest and Northeast monsoon with average rainfall of suitable method to assess the quality of surface water,
4000 billion cubic meters from which only 18% can be used through determining the relative weight of analytical
for conventional purposes (Panda 2011). This sudden influx parameters in terms of concentration (Tyagi et al 2013, Bora
of periodic water supply to the system causes a change et al 2017). The present study gives a detailed analysis of
which may result in flood. Reservoirs are artificial catchment physico-chemical parameters to assess the water quality and
built across perennial or long season stream for multi – WQI is calculated.
variant purpose i.e. man – made surface impoundment
impeding water flow, for irrigation, fisheries, flood control and MATERIAL AND METHODS
hydro – electric power supply. According to the area covered Study area: Bhavanisagar Dam located at latitude 11°28' N
the reservoirs are classified as small, medium and large. and longitude 77°06' E, is constructed below the confluence
India has 19,370 reservoirs consisting of 3,153,366 ha area of River Moyer and River Bhavani of Tamil Nadu. The
of the region, out of which Tamil Nadu accounts for holding reservoir is built 280.2 m above the Mean Sea Level (MSL).
large number of small reservoirs. The inflow and outflow of The height of the reservoir is about 40 meters (120ft) and the
the water to the reservoirs alters the reservoir ecosystem capacity is about 32.8 TMC (Thousand Million Cubic). Heavy
from natural ecosystem which is a distinct feature of rainfall in the study area is during low-pressure depressions
reservoir. The surface flow of rainwater obstructed by the and cyclones during the northeast monsoon period. The dam
reservoir, act as a source of potable water after various is fed by both Southwest and Northeast monsoon. The
treatments. The variation of reservoir ecosystem from the amount of rainfall is about 621mm (458 mm during monsoon
natural environment alters hydrological properties, deviating and 163mm during in non-monsoon months) and the higher
from the natural environment may be compatible or is towards coast.
incompatible depends on the quality of water determining Sampling method: Water samples were collected on
parameters. The quality must be checked to prevent fortnight intervals from June 2019 - October 2019. Surface
deterioration of water availability for the human consumption. sampling were done at two sampling points of latitude and
Rapid industrialization and urbanization results in longitude 11°28'14"N 77°06'52"E named as S1 and
deterioration of the water quality making the water unfit for 11°28'15"N 77°06'49"E named as S2. Sterilized polyethylene
human consumption and domestic purposes. Periodic bottles of one litre capacity were used for collecting samples.
assessment of the analytical parameters is essential for Three samples for each sampling point were taken for
 Assessment of Physico-chemical Parameters and Water Quality Index 1121

concordance and the average is calculated. Dissolved Vo is the ideal value of this parameter in pure water
oxygen, pH and temperature were carried out at the Vo = 0 (except pH = 7.0 and Dissolved Oxygen = 14.6
collection site, other parameters and heavy metals were mg/l)
analysed in laboratory using the standard procedure given by Si is recommended standard value of ith parameter.
Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) (IS 3025-42 1992) (IS The unit weight (Wi) for each water quality parameter is
3025-34 1998) (IS 3025-41 1992) (IS 3025-47 1994) (IS calculated by using the following formula:
3025-49 1994) (IS 3025-52 2003). Standard limits were set in Wi= K/Si
reference with WHO and BIS. Where,
WQI assessment: Weighted arithmetic water quality index K = proportionality constant and can be also calculated
(WAWQI) method was employed to determine the WQI. by using the following equation:
Commonly used 10 water quality parameters were K= 1/ ∑ (1/Si)
considered to determine the quality of water. The water
quality rating as per WAWQI method is given in Table 1. The RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
calculation of WQI was made by using the following equation: The water quality was assessed considering the
WQI = ∑Qi Wi / ∑Wi physico- chemical parameters and overall rating was given
The quality rating scale (Qi) for each parameter is by Weighted Arithmetic Water Quality Indices (WAWQI) are
calculated by using this expression tabulated in Table 2 & 3.
Qi = 100[(Vi-Vo/ Si-Vo)] Physical parameters: The pH in water samples ranges from
Where, 8.1-8.6 indicate the alkaline nature of water. But the basic
Vi is estimated concentration of ith parameter in the nature increased and fluctuated from 8.3-8.7 from August till
analysed water October due to the influence of rain water by the dilution of the
chemical parameters. The temperature range was from 28°C
Table 1. Water quality rating as per WAWQI method
to 29°C. The color variation during the study period was
WQI value Rating of water quality Grading
significant, the transition from transparent to greenish color
0-25 Excellent water quality A
occurred during September and October signifies an
26-50 Good water quality B elevated amount of chlorophyll content due to the increase in
51-75 Poor water quality C primary producers of water due to nutrient input from rains
76-100 Very poor water quality D (Pires et al 2017).
Above 100 Unsuitable for drinking purpose E Chemical parameters: Total dissolved solids were maximum

Table 2. Estimated physico-chemical parameters of water sample from June - October, 2019
Parameters (mg l-1) June July August September October Permissible limits (mg l-1)

BIS WHO

pH 8.1±0.1 8.2±0.1 8.6±0.1 8.5±0.1 8.5±0.1 6.5-8.5 6.5 - 9.5

Temperature 28±1.8 29.2±0.9 28±1.4 29.5±0.5 29.2±0.9 - -
Total dissolved solids 48.2±5.7 78.6±5.8 62.2±13.0 45.7±2.7 44.5±1.4 500-2000 500 - 1000
Total suspended solids 0.2±0.08 0.7±0.2 0.3±0.1 0.1±0.05 0.1±0.09 - -
Total solids 49.7±2.0 50±6.7 62.9±18.0 54.5±4.0 50.2±2.0 - -
Chloride 17.5±3.0 23.6±5.0 16.8±3.3 21.3±4.9 15±3.0 250 200
Total alkalinity 35±15.0 46±7.5 41.2±16.0 25±7.0 37.5±11.0 200 100
DO 3.3±0.1 3.7±0.3 3.6±0.1 5.0±0.7 4±0.5 4 -6 4-6
Sulphate 2.3±2.0 4.8±0.6 2.0±2.3 0 0 200 250
Total hardness 32.5±10.0 34±12.0 35±5.7 31.2±8.5 35±9.0 200 500
Sodium 0.1±0.0 0.09±0.1 0.3±0.3 0 0 180 200
Calcium 7.8±1.0 6.0±3.0 8.3±5.0 5.5±1.9 10±4 75 75
Magnesium 6.5±1.0 7.7±2.2 2.2±0.2 4.1±0.2 0 30 50
Nitrate BDL 45 50
Phosphorus BDL - -
1122 C. Rojamadhuvanthi, M. Harsita and P.B. Harathi

during July and August but the TDS levels remained constant drinking purposes. Similar studies were made by Semy et al
during June, September and October. The variation was due (2019) at Tsurang River, Nagaland; Rahmanian et al (2015) at
to dilution of water in reservoir by rain water. The average State of Perek, Malaysia and Abhishek et al (2020) at Rohtak,
-1 -1
range of TDS was from 44.5 mg l -78.6 mg l . A corresponding Haryana.
increase in Total suspended solids were observed with The estimated values of physico-chemical parameters
-1
increase TDS by 0.7 mg l during July. The highest value of were lower than permissible limits, indicate a very less
both parameters signifies the inflow of water fed by monsoon. nutritional load – a characteristic feature of Oligotrophic
The maximum value of alkalinity was recorded during July water. Walker et al (2007) in a special report entitled
with an average range of 25 mg l-1- 47 mg l-1. The high value “Nutrients in Lakes and Reservoir” states: The oligotrophic
may indicate the process of weathering in the reservoir during water supports a very limited source for the survival of
high temperature. The above phenomenon was observed by biological components where one or more macronutrients
Singh et al (2005) at Gomathi River, India. The DO ranged (Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Carbon) are absent and
-1 -1
from 3.3 mg l - 5.0 mg l . The highest value corresponds to the enhances water quality for drinking and irrigation purposes.
increase in the oxygen production in post – monsoon period. Moreover, reservoir exhibits very low variability in its
The increase in DO during September was due to the easy parameters and nutritional load due to its dynamic nature.
exchange of air between the atmosphere and water surface. The movement of water from higher gradient to lower
The lowest value of 3.3mg/l was observed during June due to gradient (Reservoir) limits the flow of nutrients to the lower
the effects of high temperature. The concentration of calcium gradient and hence a less nutritional load is obtained from the
2+ 2+
and the magnesium ions present in the form of Mg and Ca watershed areas. Anthropogenic activities and domestic
in water determines the total hardness. The total hardness wastes can induce certain organic, inorganic substances and
was between 32.5 mg l-1 and 35 mg l-1. Similar results were heavy metals to the water which might contribute to the
observed by Ramteke (2013) in Savithri reservoir, nutrient availability and when released in excess leads to
Maharashtra. The values obtained from the analysis for the eutrophication and pollution of the water. Data generated
total hardness indicates that the water is soft and lies between from our study depicts that the DO level of the Bhavanisagar
the ranges of 0 mg l-1 -75 mg l-1. The average range of reservoir and BDL of phosphorus supports the oligotrophic
-1 -1
magnesium was between 6.5 mg l and 7.7 mg l . The nature of water also the absence of eutrophication and BDL
magnesium was either very low or in BDL. Chloride of heavy metals indicates the water is suitable for human
constitutes the salt taste of water. The highest and lowest consumption and irrigation.
values of chloride were observed in S1 during July and WQI is commonly used for the detection and evaluation
-1 -1
October was 28.6 mg l and 10.6 mg l , respectively are less of water pollution. WQI were determined for the two samples
than the permissible limits indicating the soft nature of water during the study period by considering 9 parameters.
(Asok et al 2014). The concentration of heavy metals was in According to the water quality rating status the value at the
Below Detectable Level (BDL) which indicates that the water two sampling stations were between the range of 0-25. This
is free from pollutants and suitable for irrigation and for indicates that overall water quality during the time period of

Table 3. WQI rating for sampling months - June – October, 2019

Parameters Common weighing factor Quality rating for sampling months

Jun July August September October

pH 0.0359 220.0 240.0 320.0 300.0 300.0

TDS 0.0005 9.6 15.7 12.4 9.1 8.9
TA 0.0022 29.2 38.5 34.3 20.8 31.3
TH 0.0009 10.8 11.3 11.7 10.4 11.7
NO3 0.0060 - - - - -
Cl 0.0011 7.0 9.4 6.7 8.5 6.0
Fe 0.8981 - - - - -
SO4 0.0013 1.2 2.4 1.0 - -
DO 0.0539 117.7 113.5 114.6 99.5 110.4
WQI 14.3 14.8 17.7 16.2 16.8
View publication stats

Assessment of Physico-chemical Parameters and Water Quality Index 1123

June-October was suitable for drinking and irrigation. The IS 3025 1992, Reaffirmed 2009: Method of Sampling and Test
(physical and chemical) for Water and Wastewater, Part 42:
quality status though deteriorated during the month of Copper (First Revision). ICS 13.060.50.
August, September and October the range was within the IS 3025-34 1988: Methods of sampling and test (physical and
level of excellent. The variation was due to influence of chemical) for water and wastewater, Part 34: Nitrogen [CHD 32:
Environmental Protection and Waste Management]
rainfall over water.
IS 3025-41 1992: Methods of sampling and test (physical and
chemical) for water and wastewater, Part 41: Cadmium [CHD
CONCLUSION 32: Environmental Protection and Waste Management]
Bhavanisagar reservoir is a catchment of flood waters IS 3025-47 1994: Methods of Sampling and Test (physical and
chemical) for Water and Wastewater, Part 47: Lead [CHD 32:
from the watershed areas that are not frequently accessed by Environmental Protection and Waste Management].
humans. Hence, anthropogenic intervention, domestic IS 3025-49 1994: Methods of sampling and test (physical and
chemical) for water and wastewater, Part 49: Zinc [CHD 32:
wastes and other chemical effluents are absent or very less Environmental Protection and Waste Management].
due to which the nutritional content is checked. The lower IS 3025-52 2003: Methods of Sampling and Test (physical and
nutrition load signifies the oligotrophic nature of water, chemical) for Water and Wastewater, Part 52: Chromium [CHD
32: Environmental Protection and Waste Management].
sustains a stable aquatic ecosystem which do not lead to
Panda R 2011. A growing concern: How soon will India run out of
algal bloom and eutrophication. The physico-chemical water? Journal of Global Health 1(2): 135.
assessment and WQI method used to determine the quality Pires APF, Leal J, Da S and Peeters ETHM 2017. Rainfall changes
affect the algae dominance in tank bromeliad ecosystems.
of water indicates that the water quality is excellent for the PLOS ONE 12(4): e0175436.
consumption and for the purpose of irrigation. As the water in Rahmanian N, Ali SHB, Homayoonfar M, Ali NJ, Rehan M, Sadef Y
the reservoir is used for drinking and irrigation purposes the and Nizami AS 2015. Analysis of physiochemical parameters to
evaluate the drinking water quality in the state of Perak,
values are ideal for the both purposes. Malaysia. Journal of Chemistry 185: 1-10.
Ramteke KK 2013. Assessment of seasonal variations of water
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT quality parameters of Savitri Reservoir, Poladpur, Raigad
District, Maharashtra. Assessment 8(4): 1337-1342.
Authors extend our sincere gratitude for the fund Sawant R and Chavan N 2013. Water quality status of Mahagaon
provided by DBT (Star College Scheme) for the chemical reservoir from Gadhinglaj tahsil from Maharashtra. International
Journal of Science, Environment and Technology 2(6): 1196-
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Received 27 April, 2021; Accepted 31 July, 2021