Chemistry of Groundwater in the Laterite Formations of the Muvattupuzha River Basin, Kerala

The geochemical characteristics of groundwater in phreatic aquifer zone of laterites in the Muvattupuzha river basin, Kerala were evaluated during Pre-and Post-Monsoon seasons to assess its suitability for domestic and irrigation purposes Fifty-five water samples from dug wells in lateritic terrain were collected and analysed for pH, EC TDS, total iron, major cations and major anions. The results indicate that the groundwater except In zones having high content of total iron and low pH condition is fit for domestic usage. The hydrochemical facies diagram has revealed that the groundwaters of the basin have not much residential time within the country rock and hence not dynamic. The sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), residual sodium carbonate (RSC) and sodium percentage indicate heat the groundwater In general is good for irrigation purposes.