Physio-chemical and bacteriological quality of well water from Kottayam district, Kerala

This study focused on determining of physio-chemical, Biological and Weighed water quality index of well water samples from twelve different stations in Kottayam district, Kerala. The water samples analyzed for physio-chemical parameters including pH, Electrical conductivity, TDS (Total Dissolved Solids), Total iron, Bacterial contamination and water quality index was calculated. All 120 samples were analyzed separately and were compared with the water quality standard prescribed by the APHA and IS 3025. It was found that the mean pH values showed slight variations ranging from 5.85±0.72- 7.19±2.09. The electrical conductivity showed variations ranging from 64.9±46.34- to 366.4±561.8. The well water samples were shown the TDS value under the permissible limit with a range of 42±39.8-248.2±393.03. A significant variation in total iron value was obtained from the Neendoor station and the range is 0.0033±0.0069-0.5525±1.703. Weighted water quality index was calculated based on physiochemical parameters and it is evident that the water from Neendoor station is unsuitable for drinking purposes. The bacterial concentrations of Pampady station showed 90% contamination and 65.8% of water samples were showed Indicator organism Escherichia coli.