Chemical parameters in Karnataka's groundwater: A report by the state government's Mines and Geology department

The aim of this report is to highlight the quality problems encountered in the groundwater in the state. The chemical parameters which are present in groundwater in excess of the prescribed norms and which are considered harmful beyond permissible limits are discussed in detail. This report is an attempt to educate the people on the different chemical parameters that are present in the drinking water and the ill effects on health when they are present in excess of the permissible limits.

4090 groundwater samples from borewells and open wells used for drinking water supply across the state were tested for fluoride, nitrate, total hardness and total iron. The four chemical parameters like Nitrate, Fluoride, total hardness and total iron excess of the permissible limit can cause problems to the health of the people using when used for drinking. The methods for total removal or reduction are not simple and affordable for common people. 

Certain practices discussed above may be helpful in this direction. The inferences drawn are based on the samples collected mainly from monitoring stations only from selected villages only. By analyzing samples from all drinking water sources, the inference can be broad based.