EVALUATION OF DRINKING WATER QUALITY STATUS BY WATER QUALITY INDEX: A CASE STUDY OF SHIKHAR WATER FALL, DEHRADUN (UK), INDIA

Water is an essential element for life. Safe drinking water is the basic need for safeguarding the health and well-being of humans all over the world. In the present study, the physico-chemical parameters such as chloride, electrical conductivity, pH, alkalinity, sulfate, total dissolved solid (TDS), total hardness, calcium, magnesium and water quality index (WQI) of Shikhar water fall, Dehradun was analyzed to know the suitability of water for drinking purpose during post-monsoon season in the year 2019. The values of Ca, Mg, SO and TDS of the samples studied were found high 4 from the WHO/ ISI recommended values of drinking water. The calculated value of WQI was 82.07, found not suitable for drinking purpose as per Standard Rating of Water Quality. Geological strata of the area, adjoining pollution sources, natural disaster and improper maintenance are the key factors responsible for water quality deterioration of the Shikhar water fall source