Assessment of Groundwater Contamination Due To Heavy Metal Accumulation: A Study from Tadipatri Area, Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

Groundwater collected around cement and steel industrial areas of Tadipatri area, Andhra Pradesh have been analyzed for their physicochemical parameters and heavy metal content to assess the water quality with reference to drinking. The analytical data of these water samples reveal pH values of all samples are within desirable limit showing alkaline nature. To ascertain the suitability of groundwater for drinking and public health purposes, these hydrochemical parameters of the study area are compared with the guidelines recommended by BIS (1991).It is evident that the groundwater of the study area has concentrations of some heavy metals viz., Fe, Cr and Ni present above the permissible levels recommended for drinking water by the BIS. Cu, Mn and Pb in few samples are found above the desirable limits; however the concentrations of Zn and Al are below the desirable limits of BIS. Industrial waste, anthropogenic activities and municipal sewage could be the main cause of groundwater contamination.  Presence of higher concentration of heavy metals would expose the population to health hazards. The results of the study area reveal that, metal concentrations in some of the groundwater samples are highly contaminated and therefore partially not suitable for drinking purposes. Hence the groundwater to be continuously evaluated and need for regular groundwater quality monitoring to assess pollution activity.