IMPROVEMENT OF GROUND WATER QUALITY INDEX USING CITRUS LEMETTA

Saravana Kumar J, Amarendra Kumar S, Rupas Kumar M*, Likhita K, Sri Deepthi M

*Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, IIIT RK Valley, RGUKT, Andhra Pradesh, India; Email: rupaskumar@rguktrkv.ac.in;

Abstract: The demand for water is increasing at an alarming rate due to rapid urbanization and increase in population. Due to fresh
water scarcity, Groundwater became the necessity source for potable water to majority areas in India. The present study aimed at
evaluating the Ground Water Quality Index (GWQI) of a drought area located in Kadapa region, India which has been determined by
comprehensive physicochemical analysis of groundwater samples. To evaluate the GWQI, sixteen parameters have been considered
viz. pH, Electrical Conductivity, Total Dissolved Solids, Turbidity, Total hardness, Alkalinity, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium,
Chloride, Nitrate, Sulphate, Iron, Manganese and Fluorides. In the present study, Citrus Lemetta (Mosambi) peel powder is used a
Coagulant along with Alum and sensitivity analysis of GWQI is done by varying coagulant dose, mixing speed & contact time and
optimal values of these parameters are found.
Keywords: Ground Water Quality Index; physicochemical analysis; Coagulant aid; Citrus Lemetta;