Pollution Research Paper

STUDIES ON WATER QUALITY INDEX OF DRINKING WATER OF THE LAKHIMPUR DISTRICT, ASSAM

SABITRI SAIKIA KAKATI AND H.P. SARMA

Abstract

Water quality index (WQI) is a useful tool for the quick assessment of any water system. To evaluate the WQI of Lakhimpur District, water samples from sixteen different locations were collected spreading over a period of one year from June 06 to May 07. samples were collected in four seasons. Average of four season observations is used here for evaluation of WQI. The quality of water was assessed by testing various physico-chemical parameters such as pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), total hardness (TH), total alkalinity (TA), calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, iron and chloride content. WQI of all samples indicate that water of all the locations is not suitable for direct consumption and is not within the permissible level. It belongs to the slight pollution category