Fluoride Contamination in Groundwater Sources of Bhagalpur Municipal Corporation Area, Bhagalpur, Bihar

Abstract

Higher levels of fluoride in groundwater are major concern in all over the world. Bhagalpur district of Bihar, India is identified for arsenic contamination but has equally high concentration of fluoride in groundwater. Since there are no studies to understand the present status of fluoride in groundwater in urban area under Bhagalpur Municipal Corporation (BMC), hence the present study was undertaken in 13 wards of BMC to find out the level of F¯ content and other physico-chemical parameters. It was observed that the fluoride concentration ranged from 1.93 to 2.98 mg/l, pH from 7.2 to 8.0, Conductivity from 922.3 to 2718.7 µs whereas TDS from 569.1 to 1428.36 mg/l, total hardness from 203.5 to 679 mg/l, Chloride from 88.71 to 387.9 mg/l and Bicarbonates from 32.8 to 133.4 mg/l. On the basis of results obtained in the present study, it has been concluded that all physico-chemical parameters were within permissible limits whereas, in case of fluoride, all samples exceeded permissible limit of the WHO and BIS for drinking water. Therefore, drinking water of study area is not suitable for consumption without treatment.