Evaluation of ground water quality of Saharanpur constituency in Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the groundwater quality at designated sites in the Saharanpur area of Uttar Pradesh, India, focusing on key physicochemical attributes and their statistical relationships. Water samples were collected from four sites and analysed using standard assessment methods. The parameters measured included temperature, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total alkalinity (TA), total hardness (TH), and major ions. The results showed that groundwater quality was largely within acceptable limits for municipal and agricultural use. Temperature ranged from 24.67±1.53 to 29.33±1.22°C, and pH values varied between 6.71±0.51 to 7.26±0.27, indicating a slightly acidic to neutral nature EC and TDS levels ranged from 0.57±0.03 to 0.97±0.08 dS m-¹ and 198.31±10.09 to 263.65±11.13 mg L-¹, respectively, reflecting low salinity. DO values ranged from 5.24±0.56 to 6.55±0.15 mg L-¹, while BOD (1.52±0.27–1.98±0.08 mg L-¹) and COD (4.88±1.57–8.69±1.43 mg L-¹) indicated limited organic load. TA and TH suggested the water was relatively mineral-rich. Statistical analysis revealed significant positive relationships among EC, TDS, and major ions, whereas DO and pH showed opposite trends with salinity parameters. The study highlights that although groundwater quality is currently safe, increasing human-induced stress may progressively alter regional hydrochemistry, necessitating continuous monitoring and well-planned groundwater management strategies for long-term sustainability.