ASSESSMENT OF WATER QUALITY AND POLLUTION LOAD IN TEJASWINI RIVER NEAR THE MALAVETTUVAN TRIBAL SETTLEMENT, CHERUPUZHA PANCHAYATH, KERALA, INDIA
- Water quality, Tejaswini River, Malavettuvan tribal settlement.
Abstract
Rivers are one of the primary sources of water for drinking, irrigation and other domestic purposes.The present study deals with the water quality assessment of Tejaswini river of Cherupuzha Panchayath, Kannur district, Kerala. The water samples collected from five different sites were analyzed for parameters such as temperature, color, pH, BOD, DO, calcium, magnesium and Escherichia coli. The analysis of the physico– chemical and microbiological characters of the river water indicated that the water quality study of site I was affected severely because the study site is very near to the tribal settlements and also the tribes use this
area mainly for sewage disposal. Study site II, III, IV and V, which are away from the tribal settlement, the river water is not polluted as it is very far away from the tribal settlement and also nearer to forest canopy. Water from study site I which not suitable for drinking and other domestic use. Therefore, source protection
is suggested for the site I water bodies for the benefit of mankind because it is not safe for human consumption.