Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

ASSESSMENT OF SURFACE WATER QUALITY FOR IRRIGATION PURPOSE- A CASE STUDY OF RUPNAGAR DISTRICT, PUNJAB, INDIA

Parul Virk, Nibedita Ghosh and K.P Singh

Abstract

In India, the quantity and quality of water available for irrigation is variable from place to place. Rupnagar district is located in the north eastern part of Punjab state between latitude 30deg. 44 and 31deg. 26N and longitude 76deg. 17 and 76deg. 44E. Rupnagar district spreads over an area of 1382 sq km falling within semi arid region and frequently facing water scarcity as well as quality problems. Water samples from surface water bodies were collected from 25 stations during pre monsoon and post monsoon of the year 2007, and were subjected to analysis for chemical characteristics. The type of water that predominates in the study area is sodium potassium, carbonate bicarbonate type during both pre and post monsoon seasons of the year 2007, based on hydrochemical facies. Besides, suitability of water for irrigation is evaluated based on sodium adsorption ratio, residual sodium carbonate, sodium percent, salinity hazard and USSL diagram.