Assessment of Groundwater Quality in Slums of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract

The objective of the present study is to assess the ground water quality status in the study area and its potability. Southern India's groundwater quality is largely determined by underlying geology and temperature, although it can also be influenced by pollution, notably from agricultural and industrial sources. Commensurate with the growth of industrial and allied activities in and around Visakhapatnam city, its area grew from 30 km² in 1960 to over 80 km² to date. The city's population according to 2001 census is about 1.33 million. Water supply has always been inadequate in this city with the crisis growing along with the cities progress. Today's water requirement is 360 million gallons per day. The existing Thatipudi, Gossthani, Meghadrigadda and Mudasarlova can hardly meet 50% of the need. Raiwada water scheme can add a little more, therefore the supply capacity needs to be augmented. Transporting water from Godhavari is the only possible option. Aside from municipal water, the population is reliant on groundwater reservoirs.