Physicochemical and Biological Water Quality Assessment of Local Ponds of Tumakuru, Karnataka, India

Water is an essential component of life. The developments, urbanization and load of the various pollutant sources lead to the deterioration of the ponds. Therefore, the study was conducted to assess the physicochemical and biological characteristics of water from the regional ponds of Tumakuru, Karnataka, India. The water samples from six ponds were taken for the study. The physicochemical parameters showed that the pH of the ponds was found to be 7.35, 6.90, 7.21, 7.91, 7.16 and 8.10, respectively. EC was found to be 0.60, 0.19, 0.42, 0.22, 1.43 and 1.0, respectively. The high value of pH and EC shows its nutrient-rich and alkaline nature. Cl was found to be 4.0, 3.0, 4.4, 2.6, 2.4 and 6.8, respectively. Calcium hardness was observed as 1.9, 2.58, 2.34, 1.15, 1.11 and 12.19, respectively. The Biological oxygen demand (BOD) of the samples was found to be 0.1, 1.6, 0.8, 3.3, 1.2 and 0.4 mg/lit, respectively. Qualitative analysis through most probable number (MPN) method was employed. MPN index of water samples which tested satisfactory was < 2 per 100 mL and MPN index of water sample no. WS1, WS3 and WS5 respectively whereas unsatisfactory ranged from 38 to > 1600 per 100 mL of water sample no. WS2, WS4 and WS6, respectively showed that the water was not suitable for domestic uses having s high value of bacterial load. In order to stop the spread of intestinal illnesses, drinking water sources should undergo routine assessment of physicochemical and microbiological quality tests.