Chapter.

DETERMINATION OF WATER QUALITY INDEX (WQI)

7.1 Introduction Vi = Permissible level (ICMR standards)
Water encountered in natural environment is never chemically pure. It has one or more Wi proportional to 1/Vi
chemicals dissolved in it. Chemically pure water does not exist in the environment, it is not K = 1/Σ1/Vi
needed as far as the role of water in sustaining life is concerned. When water comes down to Σ1/Vi = 1/V (pH) + 1/V (TDS) + — — — — — —n (parameters)
the earth as rain it begins its journey in a highly pure form, but as it falls through the air, it WQI =Wi x Vr
dissolves the atmospheric gases and entraps particulate matter present in the air. The nature Wi x Vr = Wi(pH) x Vr(pH) + Wi(TDS) x Vr(TDS) + — — — — — — n (parameters)
and concentration of the constituents that water acquires determine the quality of water. 7.4 Rating Scale (Vr)
Various regulatory agencies in different parts of the world such as Bureau of Indian The rating scale ranges from 0 to 100. For better interpretation we can divide these
Standards (BIS), Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), International Council of Medical Research ranges into different classes where,
(ICMR), United Nations Environmental Protection Agency (UNEP) etc. have set water quality Vr = 0, water is highly polluted.
standards. These standards are set on the basis of our present state of knowledge on beneficial Vr = 100, water is absolutely clean.
or adverse impacts of various water quality constituents on animal and plant health and on Medium values indicates intermediate pollution of water
environment in general. All over the world water quality has been heavily influenced by industrial Water quality factors, their standards and assigned unit weights are given in table. 7.1.
and agricultural chemicals. The extent to which polluted water must be purified is also Rating values for different factors to calculate WQI are shown in the table. 7.2.
determined on the basis of standards set by regulatory agencies.
7.5 Determination of Water Quality Index (WQI) Table 7.1. Water quality factors
7.2 Water Quality Index (WQI) and assigned unit weights
In the present investigation in order to calculate water
Water Quality Index (WQI) is defined as a rating reflecting the composite influence of quality index, following physico-chemical parameters of water
different water quality parameters (Ramakrishnaiah et.al., 2009). It denotes the integrated effect have been selected. These factors are pH, TDS, Hardness,
of the various parameters that are relevant and significant to a particular use. Thus WQI is Chloride, Sulphate and Turbidity (Mc Nelly et.al., 1979; Fawell
proposed to express the water quality for different uses. It provides a single number that and Miller 1992). The values of Vi, Wi and Vr are given in table
expresses the overall water quality status at a certain location and time and is an effective way 7.1 and table 7.2. WQI is basically a mathematical way of calculating a single value from multiple
to communicate information about the quality of water. It is also a tool for quick assessment of test results (Ashwani Kumar and Anisha Dua, 2009). Basic statistical analysis was carried out
any water system. WQI determination can be calculated by weighted index method to determine Table 7.2. Rating for different factors for each water quality parameter. The
suitability of groundwater for drinking purposes. Ramakrishnaiah et.al., (2009) proposed a to calculate Water Quality Index
WQI results represent the level of water
revised method for calculating WQI for assessing water quality of groundwater. Tiwari and Mishra quality in a given water basin (Mariappan
(1985) has also proposed a more stringent method than the existing method for calculating et al. 1998)
WQI. WQI has been regarded as one of the most effective way to assess the quality of water
and is explained on the basis of calculated water quality indices (Bhanja and Ajoyku, 2000).
7.6 Weightage
The word ‘weightage’ implies the
7.3 Methodology
significance of each of the above ment-
The most important factor in determining the WQI is the selection of water quality ioned physico-chemical parameters in overall quality of water which is dependent on the
parameters. Influence of water quality parameters on pollution depends on the permissible permissible levels of drinking water as suggested by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR,
levels as suggested by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR, 1975). Parameters having low 1975). The following aspects are important in the determination of WQI. Factors having low
permissible limits will be given high weightage as they are harmful to the quality of water to a permissible limits are harmful to the quality of water to a large extent even if there is only a
great extent, on slight increase in value (ICMR, 1975). Thus we give high weightage to these slight increase (Iwata et.al., 1988). Thus we give high weightage to these factors. On the other
factors.Parameters having higher permissible limits are less harmful and hence we give less hand factors which have higher permissible limits are less harmful and we give less weightage.
weightage (Pande et al. 1986). 7.7 WQI variation in the study area
Here, WQI = Wi x Vr Water Quality Index (WQI) values for both Peruvanthanam and Valiyathodu sub-watersheds
Wi = K/Vi where, Wi = Unit weight of chemical factor ; (K = Constant of proportionality)
84 85
7.1 Introduction Vi = Permissible level (ICMR standards)
Water encountered in natural environment is never chemically pure. It has one or more Wi proportional to 1/Vi
chemicals dissolved in it. Chemically pure water does not exist in the environment, it is not K = 1/Σ1/Vi
needed as far as the role of water in sustaining life is concerned. When water comes down to Σ1/Vi = 1/V (pH) + 1/V (TDS) + — — — — — —n (parameters)
the earth as rain it begins its journey in a highly pure form, but as it falls through the air, it WQI =Wi x Vr
dissolves the atmospheric gases and entraps particulate matter present in the air. The nature Wi x Vr = Wi(pH) x Vr(pH) + Wi(TDS) x Vr(TDS) + — — — — — — n (parameters)
and concentration of the constituents that water acquires determine the quality of water. 7.4 Rating Scale (Vr)
Various regulatory agencies in different parts of the world such as Bureau of Indian The rating scale ranges from 0 to 100. For better interpretation we can divide these
Standards (BIS), Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), International Council of Medical Research ranges into different classes where,
(ICMR), United Nations Environmental Protection Agency (UNEP) etc. have set water quality Vr = 0, water is highly polluted.
standards. These standards are set on the basis of our present state of knowledge on beneficial Vr = 100, water is absolutely clean.
or adverse impacts of various water quality constituents on animal and plant health and on Medium values indicates intermediate pollution of water
environment in general. All over the world water quality has been heavily influenced by industrial Water quality factors, their standards and assigned unit weights are given in table. 7.1.
and agricultural chemicals. The extent to which polluted water must be purified is also Rating values for different factors to calculate WQI are shown in the table. 7.2.
determined on the basis of standards set by regulatory agencies.
7.5 Determination of Water Quality Index (WQI) Table 7.1. Water quality factors
7.2 Water Quality Index (WQI) and assigned unit weights
In the present investigation in order to calculate water
Water Quality Index (WQI) is defined as a rating reflecting the composite influence of quality index, following physico-chemical parameters of water
different water quality parameters (Ramakrishnaiah et.al., 2009). It denotes the integrated effect have been selected. These factors are pH, TDS, Hardness,
of the various parameters that are relevant and significant to a particular use. Thus WQI is Chloride, Sulphate and Turbidity (Mc Nelly et.al., 1979; Fawell
proposed to express the water quality for different uses. It provides a single number that and Miller 1992). The values of Vi, Wi and Vr are given in table
expresses the overall water quality status at a certain location and time and is an effective way 7.1 and table 7.2. WQI is basically a mathematical way of calculating a single value from multiple
to communicate information about the quality of water. It is also a tool for quick assessment of test results (Ashwani Kumar and Anisha Dua, 2009). Basic statistical analysis was carried out
any water system. WQI determination can be calculated by weighted index method to determine Table 7.2. Rating for different factors for each water quality parameter. The
suitability of groundwater for drinking purposes. Ramakrishnaiah et.al., (2009) proposed a to calculate Water Quality Index
WQI results represent the level of water
revised method for calculating WQI for assessing water quality of groundwater. Tiwari and Mishra quality in a given water basin (Mariappan
(1985) has also proposed a more stringent method than the existing method for calculating et al. 1998)
WQI. WQI has been regarded as one of the most effective way to assess the quality of water
and is explained on the basis of calculated water quality indices (Bhanja and Ajoyku, 2000).
7.6 Weightage
The word ‘weightage’ implies the
7.3 Methodology
significance of each of the above ment-
The most important factor in determining the WQI is the selection of water quality ioned physico-chemical parameters in overall quality of water which is dependent on the
parameters. Influence of water quality parameters on pollution depends on the permissible permissible levels of drinking water as suggested by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR,
levels as suggested by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR, 1975). Parameters having low 1975). The following aspects are important in the determination of WQI. Factors having low
permissible limits will be given high weightage as they are harmful to the quality of water to a permissible limits are harmful to the quality of water to a large extent even if there is only a
great extent, on slight increase in value (ICMR, 1975). Thus we give high weightage to these slight increase (Iwata et.al., 1988). Thus we give high weightage to these factors. On the other
factors.Parameters having higher permissible limits are less harmful and hence we give less hand factors which have higher permissible limits are less harmful and we give less weightage.
weightage (Pande et al. 1986). 7.7 WQI variation in the study area
Here, WQI = Wi x Vr Water Quality Index (WQI) values for both Peruvanthanam and Valiyathodu sub-watersheds
Wi = K/Vi where, Wi = Unit weight of chemical factor ; (K = Constant of proportionality)
84 85
during pre monsoon, monsoon and post monsoon seasons were determined using the method
mentioned above. Classification of WQI using different designations is given in table. 7.3.
Considerable variations are observed during different seasons in both sub-watersheds. These
variations are discussed, both sub-watershed wise and season wise in the coming sections.
7.7.1 WQI of Peruvanthanam
Table 7.3. Classification of Water Quality Index
sub-watershed
Variations in mean WQI during pre
monsoon, monsoon and post monsoon
seasons of Peruvanthanam sub-watershed is
represented in table 7.4. The seasonal variations
in mean value of WQI represented graphically in
figure 7.1. During the pre monsoon season mean
WQI varies between 47.00 (at P1, P2, P4, P5, P6,
P7, P10 and P16) and 89.40 (at P3, P8 and P15).
During monsoon season it varies between 47.00
(observed at P6 and P12) and 98.78 (observed
at P3). During post monsoon, corresponding
changes in WQI values are between 45.00
(observed at P8) and 90.40 (observed at P13). The
highest mean value of WQI for the three seasons
92.53 is reported from the sample station P3 and
lowest mean of WQI 47.00 was reported from
P6.
According to the classification of WQI
during pre monsoon season sample stations of
Peruvanthanam sub-watershed, P3, P8, P9 and
Figure 7.1. Seasonal variations in mean WQI in
Peruvanthanam sub-watershed
86
come under ‘excellent category’ ie, class 1/ absolutely clean. P2, P4, P8, P11, P14 and P17
comes under ‘good category’ ie, class 1/ slightly unclean. P1, P6 and P12 comes under ‘fair
category’ class 2/ moderately unclean. During post monsoon season, the stations P3, P13 and
P15 comes under ‘excellent category’ ie, class1/ absolutely clean. P4, P5, P7 and P9 comes
under ‘good category’ ie, class 1/ slightly unclean. P1, P2, P6, P8, P10, P11, P12, P14, P16 and
P17 comes under ‘fair category’ ie, class2/ moderately unclean. GIS spatial representations of
Table 7.4. Mean Water Quality Index for
Peruvanthanam sub-watershed during
different seasons
Fig 7.2. Variations in mean WQI Table 7.3. Variations in mean WQI Table 7.4. Variations in mean WQI
in Peruvanthanam sub-watershed in Peruvanthanam sub-watershed in Peruvanthanam sub-watershed
during pre monsoon season during monsoon season during post monsoon season
the variations in WQI values for different seasons of Peruvanthanam sub-watershed are
represented in Figure 7.2, 7.3 and 7.4 which also agrees well with above observations.
7.7.2 WQI of Valiyathodu sub-watershed
The variations in mean WQI during pre monsoon, monsoon and post monsoon seasons
of Valiyathodu sub-watershed are represented in table 7.5 and and the seasonal variations in
mean value of WQI are represented in figure 7.5. During pre monsoon season WQI values
varies between 47.00 (observed at sample stations namely V1, V2, V3, V7, V8 and V9)and 89.
40 (observed at V5, V10 and V13). During Table 7.5. Mean Water Quality Index for Valiyathodu
sub-watershed during different seasons
monsoon season WQI values varies between
31.68 (observed at V7) and 97.71 (observed at
P15 comes under ‘excellent
V5). During the post monsoon season the
category’ ie, class 1/ absolutely
corresponding changes in WQI values are
clean. P11, P12, P13, P14 and
between 38.78 (observed at V6, V7, V8 and V14)
P17 comes under the ‘good
and 78.80 (observed at V3, V5, V10 and V12). The
category’ ie, class 1/ slightly
highest mean value of WQI for the three seasons,
unclean and sample stations,
88.64 is reported from the sample station V5 and
P1, P2, P4, P5, P6, P7, P10 and
lowest mean of WQI 39.15 reported from V7.
P16 comes under the ‘fair
In Valiyathodu sub-watershed according
category’ ie, class 2/ moder-
to the classification of WQI during pre monsoon,
ately unclean. During mon-
sample stations V5, V10, V12 and V13 comes
soon season, stations P3, P5,
under ‘excellent category’ ie, class 1/ absolutely
P7, P9, P10, P13, P15 and P16
clean. V4, V6, V11 and V14 comes under the ‘good
87
during pre monsoon, monsoon and post monsoon seasons were determined using the method
mentioned above. Classification of WQI using different designations is given in table. 7.3.
Considerable variations are observed during different seasons in both sub-watersheds. These
variations are discussed, both sub-watershed wise and season wise in the coming sections.
7.7.1 WQI of Peruvanthanam
Table 7.3. Classification of Water Quality Index
sub-watershed
Variations in mean WQI during pre
monsoon, monsoon and post monsoon
seasons of Peruvanthanam sub-watershed is
represented in table 7.4. The seasonal variations
in mean value of WQI represented graphically in
figure 7.1. During the pre monsoon season mean
WQI varies between 47.00 (at P1, P2, P4, P5, P6,
P7, P10 and P16) and 89.40 (at P3, P8 and P15).
During monsoon season it varies between 47.00
(observed at P6 and P12) and 98.78 (observed
at P3). During post monsoon, corresponding
changes in WQI values are between 45.00
(observed at P8) and 90.40 (observed at P13). The
highest mean value of WQI for the three seasons
92.53 is reported from the sample station P3 and
lowest mean of WQI 47.00 was reported from
P6.
According to the classification of WQI
during pre monsoon season sample stations of
Peruvanthanam sub-watershed, P3, P8, P9 and
Figure 7.1. Seasonal variations in mean WQI in
Peruvanthanam sub-watershed
86
come under ‘excellent category’ ie, class 1/ absolutely clean. P2, P4, P8, P11, P14 and P17
comes under ‘good category’ ie, class 1/ slightly unclean. P1, P6 and P12 comes under ‘fair
category’ class 2/ moderately unclean. During post monsoon season, the stations P3, P13 and
P15 comes under ‘excellent category’ ie, class1/ absolutely clean. P4, P5, P7 and P9 comes
under ‘good category’ ie, class 1/ slightly unclean. P1, P2, P6, P8, P10, P11, P12, P14, P16 and
P17 comes under ‘fair category’ ie, class2/ moderately unclean. GIS spatial representations of
Table 7.4. Mean Water Quality Index for
Peruvanthanam sub-watershed during
different seasons
Fig 7.2. Variations in mean WQI Table 7.3. Variations in mean WQI Table 7.4. Variations in mean WQI
in Peruvanthanam sub-watershed in Peruvanthanam sub-watershed in Peruvanthanam sub-watershed
during pre monsoon season during monsoon season during post monsoon season
the variations in WQI values for different seasons of Peruvanthanam sub-watershed are
represented in Figure 7.2, 7.3 and 7.4 which also agrees well with above observations.
7.7.2 WQI of Valiyathodu sub-watershed
The variations in mean WQI during pre monsoon, monsoon and post monsoon seasons
of Valiyathodu sub-watershed are represented in table 7.5 and and the seasonal variations in
mean value of WQI are represented in figure 7.5. During pre monsoon season WQI values
varies between 47.00 (observed at sample stations namely V1, V2, V3, V7, V8 and V9)and 89.
40 (observed at V5, V10 and V13). During Table 7.5. Mean Water Quality Index for Valiyathodu
sub-watershed during different seasons
monsoon season WQI values varies between
31.68 (observed at V7) and 97.71 (observed at
P15 comes under ‘excellent
V5). During the post monsoon season the
category’ ie, class 1/ absolutely
corresponding changes in WQI values are
clean. P11, P12, P13, P14 and
between 38.78 (observed at V6, V7, V8 and V14)
P17 comes under the ‘good
and 78.80 (observed at V3, V5, V10 and V12). The
category’ ie, class 1/ slightly
highest mean value of WQI for the three seasons,
unclean and sample stations,
88.64 is reported from the sample station V5 and
P1, P2, P4, P5, P6, P7, P10 and
lowest mean of WQI 39.15 reported from V7.
P16 comes under the ‘fair
In Valiyathodu sub-watershed according
category’ ie, class 2/ moder-
to the classification of WQI during pre monsoon,
ately unclean. During mon-
sample stations V5, V10, V12 and V13 comes
soon season, stations P3, P5,
under ‘excellent category’ ie, class 1/ absolutely
P7, P9, P10, P13, P15 and P16
clean. V4, V6, V11 and V14 comes under the ‘good
87
category’ ie, class 1/ slightly
unclean, V1, V2, V3, V7, V8 and
V9 comes under the ‘fair
category’ ie, class 2/ mode-
rately unclean. During mons-
oon season, stations namely
V1, V5, V8, V10, and V11 comes
under ‘excellent category’ ie,
class 1/ absolutely clean. V2,
Fig 7.9. Classification of WQI in Fig 7.10. Classification of WQI in Fig 7.11. Classification of WQI in
V4, V6, V13, V14 and V15 Peruvanthanam sub-watershed Peruvanthanam sub-watershed Peruvanthanam sub-watershed
during pre monsoon season during monsoon season during post monsoon season
comes under ‘good category’ Figure 7.5. Seasonal variations in mean WQI
in Valiyathodu sub-watershed unclean and 58.82 % of sample stations are in ‘fair category’ ie, class 2/ moderately unclean.
ie, class 1/ slightly unclean, V3
comes under ‘fair category’ ie, class2/ moderately unclean and V7, V9 and V12 comes under In Valiyathodu sub-watershed, during pre monsoon season (Figure 7.12), 26.67% sample
‘marginal category’ ie, class 2/ excessively unclean. During post monsoon season, stations V3, stations are in ‘excellent category’ ie, class 1/ absolutely clean, 33.33% are in ‘good category’ ie,
V5, V10 and V12 comes under ‘good category’ ie, class1/ slightly unclean. V1, V2, V4, V11 and class1/ slightly unclean and 40.00% are in ‘fair category’ ie, class2/ moderately unclean. During
V13 comes under ‘fair category’ ie, class 2/ moderately unclean and V6, V7, V8 and V14 comes monsoon season (Figure 7.13), 33.33% of sample stations are in ‘excellent category’ class 1/
absolutely clean, 40.00% are in ‘good category’ ie, class1/ slightly unclean, 6.67% are in ‘fair
category’ ie, class2/ moderately unclean and 20.00% are in ‘marginal category’ ie, class 2/

Fig 7.6. Variations in mean WQI in Fig 7.7. Variations in mean WQI in Fig 7.8. Variatios in mean WQI
Valiyathodu sub-watershed Valiyathodu sub-watershed in Valiyathodu sub-watershed
during pre monsoon season during monsoon season during Post monsoon season
Fig 7.12. Classification of WQI in Fig 7.13. Classification of WQI in Fig 7.14. Classification of WQI in
Valiyathodu sub-watershed Valiyathodu sub-watershed Valiyathodu sub-watershed
under ‘marginal category’ ie, class2/ excessively unclean. Figure 7.6, 7.7 and 7.8 are the GIS during monsoon season during post monsoon season
during pre monsoon season
spatial representations of the variations in the WQI values for the different seasons of
Peruvanthanam sub-watershed which is in agreement with above observations. excessively unclean. During post monsoon season (Figure 7.14), 40.00% of sample stations are
According to the classification of WQI in Peruvanthanam sub-watershed, during pre in ‘good category’ class1/ slightly unclean, 33.33% are in fair category ie, class2/ moderately
monsoon season (Figure 7.9), 23.52% sample stations are in ‘excellent category’ ie, class 1/ unclean and 26.67% of sample stations belong to the ‘marginal category’ ie, class 2/ excessively
absolutely clean, 29.41% are in ‘good category’ ie, class1/ slightly unclean and 47.06% of sample unclean.
stations are in ‘fair category’ ie, class2/ moderately unclean. During monsoon season (Figure From the above observations it can be reasonably concluded that the monsoon recharge
7.10), 47.06% of sample stations are in ‘excellent category’ ie, class 1/ absolutely clean, 35.29% plays a very important role in keeping the quality of water in good condition in both
are in ‘good category’ ie, class1/ slightly unclean, 17.65% are in ‘fair category’ ie, class2/ Peruvanthanam and Valiyathodu sub-watersheds. Comparison of Water Quality Index (WQI)
moderately unclean. During post monsoon season (Figure 7.11), 17.65% are in ‘excellent between Peruvanthanam and Valiyathodu sub-watersheds shows that in both sub-watersheds,
category’ ie, class 1/ absolutely clean, 23.53 % are in ‘good category’ ie, class1/ slightly percentage of excellant category is higher during monsoon season compared to other seasons.
88 89
category’ ie, class 1/ slightly
unclean, V1, V2, V3, V7, V8 and
V9 comes under the ‘fair
category’ ie, class 2/ mode-
rately unclean. During mons-
oon season, stations namely
V1, V5, V8, V10, and V11 comes
under ‘excellent category’ ie,
class 1/ absolutely clean. V2,
Fig 7.9. Classification of WQI in Fig 7.10. Classification of WQI in Fig 7.11. Classification of WQI in
V4, V6, V13, V14 and V15 Peruvanthanam sub-watershed Peruvanthanam sub-watershed Peruvanthanam sub-watershed
during pre monsoon season during monsoon season during post monsoon season
comes under ‘good category’ Figure 7.5. Seasonal variations in mean WQI
in Valiyathodu sub-watershed unclean and 58.82 % of sample stations are in ‘fair category’ ie, class 2/ moderately unclean.
ie, class 1/ slightly unclean, V3
comes under ‘fair category’ ie, class2/ moderately unclean and V7, V9 and V12 comes under In Valiyathodu sub-watershed, during pre monsoon season (Figure 7.12), 26.67% sample
‘marginal category’ ie, class 2/ excessively unclean. During post monsoon season, stations V3, stations are in ‘excellent category’ ie, class 1/ absolutely clean, 33.33% are in ‘good category’ ie,
V5, V10 and V12 comes under ‘good category’ ie, class1/ slightly unclean. V1, V2, V4, V11 and class1/ slightly unclean and 40.00% are in ‘fair category’ ie, class2/ moderately unclean. During
V13 comes under ‘fair category’ ie, class 2/ moderately unclean and V6, V7, V8 and V14 comes monsoon season (Figure 7.13), 33.33% of sample stations are in ‘excellent category’ class 1/
absolutely clean, 40.00% are in ‘good category’ ie, class1/ slightly unclean, 6.67% are in ‘fair
category’ ie, class2/ moderately unclean and 20.00% are in ‘marginal category’ ie, class 2/

Fig 7.6. Variations in mean WQI in Fig 7.7. Variations in mean WQI in Fig 7.8. Variatios in mean WQI
Valiyathodu sub-watershed Valiyathodu sub-watershed in Valiyathodu sub-watershed
during pre monsoon season during monsoon season during Post monsoon season
Fig 7.12. Classification of WQI in Fig 7.13. Classification of WQI in Fig 7.14. Classification of WQI in
Valiyathodu sub-watershed Valiyathodu sub-watershed Valiyathodu sub-watershed
under ‘marginal category’ ie, class2/ excessively unclean. Figure 7.6, 7.7 and 7.8 are the GIS during monsoon season during post monsoon season
during pre monsoon season
spatial representations of the variations in the WQI values for the different seasons of
Peruvanthanam sub-watershed which is in agreement with above observations. excessively unclean. During post monsoon season (Figure 7.14), 40.00% of sample stations are
According to the classification of WQI in Peruvanthanam sub-watershed, during pre in ‘good category’ class1/ slightly unclean, 33.33% are in fair category ie, class2/ moderately
monsoon season (Figure 7.9), 23.52% sample stations are in ‘excellent category’ ie, class 1/ unclean and 26.67% of sample stations belong to the ‘marginal category’ ie, class 2/ excessively
absolutely clean, 29.41% are in ‘good category’ ie, class1/ slightly unclean and 47.06% of sample unclean.
stations are in ‘fair category’ ie, class2/ moderately unclean. During monsoon season (Figure From the above observations it can be reasonably concluded that the monsoon recharge
7.10), 47.06% of sample stations are in ‘excellent category’ ie, class 1/ absolutely clean, 35.29% plays a very important role in keeping the quality of water in good condition in both
are in ‘good category’ ie, class1/ slightly unclean, 17.65% are in ‘fair category’ ie, class2/ Peruvanthanam and Valiyathodu sub-watersheds. Comparison of Water Quality Index (WQI)
moderately unclean. During post monsoon season (Figure 7.11), 17.65% are in ‘excellent between Peruvanthanam and Valiyathodu sub-watersheds shows that in both sub-watersheds,
category’ ie, class 1/ absolutely clean, 23.53 % are in ‘good category’ ie, class1/ slightly percentage of excellant category is higher during monsoon season compared to other seasons.
88 89
It is further noticed that, in comparison to Valiyathodu sub-watershed ie, 33.33%, Peruvanthanam
sub-watershed has maximum ‘excellent’ category ie, 47.06% during monsoon, ‘excellent’ ie,
23.52%, ‘good’ ie, 29.41% and ‘fair’ ie, 47.06% during pre monsoon, ‘good’ ie, 35.29% and ‘fair’
ie, 17.65%, during monsoon and ‘excellent’ ie, 17.65% ‘good’ ie, 23.53% and ‘fair’ ie, 58.82%
during post monsoon season. Valiyathodu sub-watershed has ‘excellent’ ie, 26.67%, ‘good’ ie,
33.33% and ‘fair’ ie, 40.00% during pre monsoon. It shows constant value of 40.00% for good
category during monsoon and post monsoon seasons. WQI values shows that, during monsoon
and post monsoon seasons 6.67% and 33.33% belongs to fair category. Marginal category for
monsoon and post monsoon season is 20.00% and 26.67% respectively. From these observations
it can be concluded that the monsoon recharge plays an important role in keeping the quality
of water in good condition in both Peruvanthanam and Valiyathodu sub-watersheds. Hence it is
explicit that, in general water quality is good in Peruvanthanam sub-watershed, compared to
Valiyathodu sub-watershed.

90