Impact of Industrial Effluents on Groundwater Quality in Semi-Arid Regions: A Case Study from RIICO Industrial Area in Eastern Rajasthan, India

As awareness of the importance of drinking water for public health and the effect of water quality on aquatic life increases, the assessment of water quality has become more essential. This study focused on the investigation of the impact of industrial effluents on the groundwater quality of the RIICO industrial area of Dholpur district, Eastern Rajasthan, India. In this study analysis of Physico-chemical parameters and heavy metal ions {Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, Pb, Cd, Cr, Hg} in groundwater samples, collected from selected different locations of RIICO industrial area of Dholpur were done during pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon seasons of three years (2021-2024). The physico-chemical parameters include pH, water temperature, color, electrical conductivity {EC}, total alkalinity {TA}, turbidity, total hardness {TH}, chloride, sulphate, fluoride, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, dissolved oxygen {D.O.}, nitrate, total dissolved solids {T.D.S.}, and chemical oxygen demand {COD}. The result of this study reveals that most of the physico-chemical parameters {total alkalinity, total hardness, fluoride, nitrate, TDS and EC} and heavy metal ion {Fe, Cd and Pb} obtained surpassing than the permissible limit of WHO and BIS. Seasonal variations of this study showed that higher concentrations of contaminants were observed in the post rainfall season. So due to effect of industrial effluents the groundwater of this industrial area is contaminated, so it is almost unfit for human consumption (drinking) but it is useful for irrigation and domestic purposes. In addition, the results suggest that there is an urgent need for better effluent treatment systems and more stringent monitoring regimes in these industrial zones in order to protect groundwater resources and public health.