Assessment of ground water quality for irrigation and drinking purposes in Bathinda and Mansa districts of Southwest Punjab, India

Aim: The study aimed to assess the suitability of ground water for irrigation and drinking purpose in Bathinda and Mansa districts of Punjab. Methodology: GPS based water samples were collected and analyzed for salinity/sodicity parameters for irrigation by standard methods and categorized for irrigation. The fluoride content in water was assessed by spectrophotometric method using SPADNS [sodium-2-(parasulfophenylazo)-dihydroxy-3, 6-napthalene disulfonate] in combination with zirconyl acid and analytical results have been examined for suitability for domestic purposes. Results: The average pH of Bathinda and Mansa district was 8.2 and 8.4, respectively. Maximum mean EC was reported in Talwandi-Sabo tehsil in Bathinda district and Sardulgarh tehsil in Mansa district. The mean sodium (Na+) concentration was 155 mg l(-1) and 21.2 mg l(-1) in the Bathinda and Mansa district, respectively. The maximum F- concentration was reported in Talwandi Sabo tehsil in Bathinda district, and Mansa tehsil (2.3 mg l(-1)) in Mansa district. The ground water in Talwandi-Sabo tehsil of Bathinda district and Sardulgarh thesil of Mansa district are more saline compared to other thesils of the Bathinda and Mansa districts, respectively. Similarly, ground water in Talwandi-Sabo tehsil of Bathinda district and Sardulgarh thesil of Mansa district contain higher fluoride (F-) and unsafe for drinking. Interpretation: The present study revealed that about 30-35 % water are unsuitable for irrigation in studied area and may be used after management practices. However, 35-40 % water in Bathinda district and 85-90% water in Mansa district were unsuitable for drinking due to higher fluoride content.