This case study in National Institute of Science Communication and Information Resources (NISCAIR) by the Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research (CIMFR), Dhanbad and the Geo-Environment Division (Environment Management Group) deals with groundwater quality assessment of Jharia coalfield area of West Bengal. The physiochemical characteristics of groundwater of the upper catchments of the coalfield were studied to evaluate the water quality.

The aim of the present paper (in Hindi) is to characterize and to assess the suitability of groundwater for domestic purposes by comparing various parameters of groundwater with drinking water standard as per IS: 10500.

Twenty representative water samples from groundwater (tubewell and dug wells) were collected from different sampling sites including mining, rural and town areas of Lodna, Bastacolla, Sijua, Western Jharia, Block-II, Barora, Digwadih, Dhansar, Alkusa and Tasra mining area of Jharia Coalfield. Water samples were analyzed for pH, EC, TDS, alkalinity, major anions (F, Cl, NO3 HCO3, and SO4) and major cations (Na, K, Ca and Mg).

Groundwater quality assessment of the Jharia coalfield presents the water quality ranges - soft to very hard, fresh to brackish type and alkalinity type. The quality assessment shows that in general, the water is suitable for domestic purposes with some exceptions. However, EC, TDS, NO3, Mg, Ca and SO4 values are exceeding the desirable limits at some sites, making it unsafe for drinking.

Download the paper here -