Impact of Sugar Industry Effluent on Quality of Groundwater at Rasulwadi—Sambarwadi, Maharashtra, India

Abstract

Groundwater is the primary source of drinking and irrigation for both urban and rural areas. It is affected due to the discharge of improperly treated industrial effluents. Increasing the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in raising the sugarcane production has resulted in the degradation of groundwater quality and also affected the soil. The present study focuses on assessing the impact of sugar industry effluent on groundwater in and around Rasulwadi—Sambarwadi village where groundwater is used for domestic purpose. Groundwater samples were collected from ten different locations in the vicinity of Rasulwadi—Sambarwadi village and analyzed for physico-chemical parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, dissolved oxygen, total alkalinity, total hardness, chloride, nitrate, calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium. Also, irrigation suitability was checked using SAR, RSC, Na% and PI. Water quality index was calculated to assess the level of pollution and deterioration of groundwater quality in both villages. Chlorides and hardness seem to be exceeding permissible limits as per the BIS. SAR, RSC and Na% were observed within the limits. It is found that all water samples are unfit for drinking purpose but suitable for irrigation purposes. The investigation suggests that water quality management is an important issue for the sustenance of human civilization and must become a major priority.