Water Quality Assessment and its Impact on Human Health: a Case Study of Somni Stream Watershed Patan Block, Durg District, Chhattisgarh

Indiscriminate disposal of hazardous chemicals and industrial wastes causes pollution of ground water regime as well as subsurface soil layers. Various processes and mechanisms control the transport of pollutants when they come in contact with soil water system. Somni stream watershed is suffering from such disposal of effluents from steel industries. Therefore an attempt has been made to assess the water quality deterioration as well as its impact on human health. The present study area falls on Survey of India Toposheet no.64G/8 and 64 G/12. Based on the Survey results, a network of 23 observation sites were selected for periodic water quality in pre-monsoon and postmonsoon seasons. Water samples were collected and were analysed for various physico-chemical characteristics. Waste effluent from steel industry were also collected and analysed. The results of the analysis indicated significant variations in the ground water quality with respect to space and time. Based on the results, the causes for water quality with deterioration in the wells and surface water, seasonal trends in the level of contamination were identified. From analysis it is found that the trace elements like, cyanide, cadmium, chromium, boron, lead and phenol are present in both surface and ground water samples exceeding the limits prescribed by WHO and other agencies. Due to this higher concentration of trace elements health of the villagers residing in this watershed has been affected. Cases of skin diseases, diaharia, jaundice, hepatitis are found in the present study area.