Author(s): S Mallika, R Umamaheswari and S Krishnamoorthy

Abstract: The water quality in the Vaigai River was studied by evaluating the physic-chemical parameters and bacterial population in the five areas during the period of July 2016 to September 2016. The analyzed physic-chemical parameters showed significant deviation from normal values indicating the presence of constant pollution load in the river. The physic-chemical and microbiological parameters are higher than the acceptable limits of APHA (2005), WHO (2004) and BIS (2012). The pH and temperature value of the water samples measured on the spot using digital pH meter and thermometer were observed with variations of 6.8 to 8.6 and 24 to 27 °C in five stations, respectively. The temperature of water sample is low due to dim sunlight during rainy season. The electrical conductivity (EC) was recorded with a minimum value of 970 µS/cm at station 1 and maximum of 1825 µS/cm at station 5. The dissolved oxygen (DO) in the water sample with high value of 9.57 mg/L in station1 and a low value of 4.32 mg/L in station5. The concentration of BOD in Vaigai river water samples were ranged from 4.5 to 22.6mg/l respectively. The concentration of COD in Vaigai River samples were ranged from 7.2 to 240mg/L. Total Alkalinity, total hardness, calcium, magnesium, Chloride were observed the ranges like 285- 870 mg/L, 242 -1750 mg/L, 65-220mg/L, 42-165mg/L and 185-385mg/L respectively. The concentration of nitrate in Vaigai River water samples were ranged from 4.51 to 7.51mg/L. The bacteriological investigation of Vaigai River water was greatly contaminated with total heterotrophic bacteria, fecal coliform and total coliform bacteria. The minimum value of 1.6 x10⁴ CFU/ml and maximum value of 3.2 x10⁴ CFU/ml were observed at Sholavandan and Kochadai respectively. In addition, the total coliform bacteria are present with the value of 3.2 x10⁴ and 14.3 x10⁴ CFU/ml respectively during the period of July 2016 to September 2016.

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