Assessment of irrigation water quality status among different villages in the Pendhurti block of Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the water quality of various villages in the Pendhurti block of Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh, during 2022-23. Thirty water samples were gathered from tube wells, bore wells and underwent analysis for various physico-chemical parameters, From the analysis it was found that pH ranges from 7.6-8.8, EC ranges from 0.56-2.33 dSm-1, chlorides range from 0.4-1.2 Meq L-1, carbonates and bicarbonates range from 0.4-1.2 Meq L-1 and 7.6-18.8 Meq L-1, calcium and magnesium(5.8-75Meq L-1), PI (5.9-53.8)are found more than the permissible limits, Sodium (0.17-0.78 Meq L-1), potassium (0.02-2.89 Meq L-1), SAR(0.03-0.17Meq L-1), SSP (0.53-10 Meq L-1), KR (0.003-0.037), RSC (-60.6 to 4.6 Meq L-1) are found within the permissible limits. According to this water quality index is calculated from these parameters, WQI ranges from (153.43-444.23) and found that water quality is slightly unsustainable. The results obtained from the analysis suggest that proper cultivation and irrigation practices are to be followed and recommended measures need to be taken to improve the water quality status.