Political

The study attempts to understand the status of groundwater quality in Belgaum city. In groundwater assessment studies, evaluation of the quality of groundwater is as important as the quantity because the usability of groundwater available is determined by its chemical, physical and bacteriological properties.

The study attempts to develop an in-depth understanding of the behavior of open wells in the region through sensitivity analysis of the aquifer parameters and its method of pumping test design. The estimation of groundwater balance and flow paths requires appropriate aquifer parameters, representing the study domain.

The report deals with the results of a study on seasonal changes in groundwater hydrochemistry of Kakinada town of Andhra Pradesh. A total of 29 dug wells and 16 filter points were selected for assessing the hydrochemistry. The monthly groundwater levels measured form the wells indicated that they are different for wells located above and below the Mean Sea Level (MSL).

The study deals with the detection of trace elements – Cu, Co, Cd, Zn, Fe, Mn, Ni and Pb along with pH and ORP in the groundwater of Guwahati and its adjacent areas. Toxicity of a metal depends on its concentration, which adversely affects any biological activity. Almost all the metals are toxic at higher concentrations, few in low concentrations and few others even in trace like As, Pb, Hg, Cd etc. The presence of such metals in groundwater is a subject of concern. Groundwater that contains higher amount of metals affects public health to a great extent when it is used for drinking and domestic purposes.

The study looks at chemical characteristics of groundwater in Jammu and Kathua on the basis of thirty water samples collected from open wells during July and December, 1997. The water quality has been evaluated for irrigation and drinking purposes. The suitability of water for drinking purposes has been compared with the standard norms i.e., BIS, 1983 and WHO, 1984.

WASSAN (Watershed Support Services and Activities Network)

Location:         Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh
Last Date:                15^th July 2010

Sustainability – this word has assumed tremendous importance today, in the context of “development”. The advancement of human civilization in terms of technology, economics and life-style is turning out to be lop-sided. It is being realized that the sheer amount of wastes generated by the present population, is becoming more and more unmanageable with each passing day.

The IEEE Spectrum magazine, the flagship publication of the IEEE, the world's largest professional technology association, recently brought out a special report on Water vs Energy. The report contains three main sections - Thirsty Machines (Water, Energy and Industry), Uneasy Harvest (Water, Energy and Agriculture) and Tiny Test Beds (potential solutions).

The Uneasy Harvest section contains a special report - "Pumping Punjab Dry", on the depleting groundwater situation in Punjab, and how cheap energy is endangering India's food security.

"Where Water meets Watts", is a map of Water and Energy hot spots and bright spots.

The study attempts to compile and evaluate the status of metal pollution assessment through aquatic sediments in rivers and lakes. The introduction of metallic pollutants into a river, whether it is natural (erosion from its drainage basin) or artificial (anthropogenic), can occur in dissolved or particulate form.

The study deals with adsorption of lead and zinc ions on the bed sediments of river Kali in western Uttar Pradesh. Adsorption is one of the most important processes in water quality control, which influences the transport of pollutants in aquatic environment.