The report presents a hydrochemical study of the groundwater of Sagar, Madhya Pradesh carried out during 1996 to examine the suitability of water for drinking and irrigation purposes. Under the study, thirty-five water samples representing the shallow groundwater of the region were collected during pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons in the month of June and November 1996 respectively.

Various parameters viz. pH, conductance, total dissolved solids (TDS), alkalinity, hardness, chloride, sulphate, phosphate, sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium have been determined for each sample. The data was analyzed with reference to Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and World Health Organisation (WHO) standards. More than 50 per cent of the water samples shows TDS values beyond the desirable limit of 500 mg/l. However only one sample exceeds the maximum permissible limit for drinking purpose. 

The ionic relationships were studied and the hydrochemical facies determined to identify the water types. The results of the study provide the information needed for groundwater quality management in the region. The values of sodium adsorption ratio indicate that groundwater of the area falls under the category of low sodium hazards.

The groundwater of the region has also been classified on the basis of Stiff, Piper Trilinear and US Salinity Laboratory Classifications. These classifications helped in characterizing the groundwater samples according to their hydrochemical facies and quality for agricultural use. Majority of the samples of the study area fall in the Ca-Mg-HCO, hydrochemical facies. According to the study, the groundwater is acceptable for irrigation purpose.

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