Assessment of Water Quality in Saline Tract of Purna Valley in the Vidarbha Region

Identification and management of groundwater quality are of utmost importance for maintaining freshwater resources in arid and semi-arid areas, which is essential for sustainable development. The investigation was carried out to assess the quality of irrigation water in THE saline tract of Purna Valley in Akola and Daryapur tehsil. Forty water samples from open wells, Borewell, Farm Ponds and Rivers were collected in post- monsoon season (winter). It was observed that the irrigation water in Purna Valley has very high salinity and medium sodium hazard (C4S2) during post- monsoon (winter) season. Amongst cations sodium was dominant in water samples. The anionic composition was below the permissible limit, except for bicarbonates. The sodium adsorption ratio was close to the permissible limit and the Mg:Ca ratio of all water samples during post -monsoon (winter) season was found to be disturbed. The adjusted sodium adsorption ratio was above the permissible limit. As per Kelley’s ratio most of the water samples were above the limit, while the samples collected from wells, farm ponds and rivers were within the permissible limit. The residual sodium bicarbonate of water collected from the borewell was above the permissible limit. Whereas, the soluble sodium percentage of all irrigation water samples was found above the permissible limit. The magnesium adsorption of water ratio is lower than the permissible range. Hence, the borewell water was not advisable to use consistently for irrigation.