ASSESSMENT OF GROUNDWATER AND SURFACEWATER QUALITY OF BIRGANG UPAZILLA IN DINAJPUR FOR DRINKING, INDUSTRIAL AND IRRIGATION PURPOSES

Abstract

Surface water and groundwater samples collected from Birganj Upazilla, Dinajpur, Bangladesh in dry seasons of the year 2012 were analyzed for its quality and suitability for agricultural, industrial and drinking purposes. To study the various physicochemical and microbiological parameters water samples were from 38 shallow tubewells, 30 deep tubewells and 3 ponds. Analyses included pH, EC, cations (Ca”*, Mg”, Na‘, K*, Zn’*, Cu”*, Mn”* and Fe**), anions (HCO;", NO3", SO,”, PO,” and CI’) and TDS (total dissolved solids). We also computed several variables such as SAR (sodium adsorption ratio), SSP (soluble sodium percentage) RSC (residual sodium carbonate), permeability index, permeability salinity, Kelly’s ratio and hardness to evaluate the suitability of groundwater supply for specific uses. Some correlations and compositional relations were also evaluated. Overall we found that both the groundwater were acidic in nature (pH varied from 6.1 to 7.5) and could be suitable for drinking, agricultural and industrial uses. According to TDS and SAR values, all samples were classed as ‘freshwater’ and ‘excellent’ categories. The soluble sodium percentage (SSP) of all waters was under ‘excellent’ and ‘good’ classes. Maximum samples were within ‘soft’ class regarding hardness with ‘suitable’ RSC. Based on Zn**, Mn’*, Fe*", SO,”, NO; and CTI all groundwater and surface water samples were within the ‘safe’ limit for drinking but unsuitable for some industries for specific ions. The results also provided data for water quality of surface and groundwater resources of study region to match national and international standards for drinking, agricultural, industrial and livestock requirements.