Investigation on groundwater quality for drinking and irrigation purpose in certain regions of Bishnupur District in Manipur, India

In Bishnupur district, Manipur, India, there is shortage of surface water due to the increase in population growth. Most people are below the poverty line and depend very much on groundwater for drinking and other domestic and irrigation purposes. This study investigates groundwater quality and its appropriateness for drinking and irrigation purposes in Bishnupur district. A total of 27 groundwater samples (S-1 to S-27) were taken and were analysed parameters, viz. temperature, Ca2+, total dissolved solids (TDS), K+, total hardness (TH), Mg2+, HCO3-, Cl-, total alkalinity (TA), CO32-, SO42-, pH, NO3-, Na+, As, Pb and Hg. Most of the groundwater samples were observed to be ‘fit’ for drinking. Water quality index values confirmed that 14.815% of water possessed as ‘excellent’, 14.815% as ‘good’, 33.333% as ‘poor’, 14.815% as ‘very poor’ and 22.222% as ‘unsuitable’ for drinking purpose. Anthropogenic activities like improper disposal of domestic waste and extensive use of fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, etc. may be the reason for deteriorating groundwater quality. Values of residual sodium carbonate, Kelly’s ratio, sodium adsorption ratio, permeability index, and percent sodium showed that all samples were observed to be ‘fit’ for irrigation purposes. Correlation coefficient (r) values showed that TH of the samples was mostly due to temporary hardness, whereas that of TA was mostly due to dissolved Mg(HCO3)2 (magnesium bicarbonate) but also by having Ca(HCO3)2 (calcium bicarbonate) and NaHCO3 (sodium bicarbonate) to a smaller extent. The study’s outcome will also be very beneficial to the villagers of the study area mainly.