QUESTION
Need methods to reduce borewell salinity in Palavakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

The chemical analysis of the borewell-water samples from my flat at Palavakkam, Chennai-41, is as follows:-

pH level=7.559
Conductivity=32900 micro-siemens/cm
Turbidity=NIL
TDS level=20396 ppm
Total Hardness=1200 ppm;

The depth of the borewell is 58 ft and the soil type present there in that flat compound is clay-soil. Kindly provide clarifications regarding my doubts, listed below:

1) How to reduce the salinity in that borewell-water ? Digging another well is not an option. Any suitable treatment methods may also be please suggested.

2) One method is by rainwater-harvesting over a period of years, but then the rainwater is not available throughout the year in Chennai. Is it not?
   
3) Can you please name any particular type of plants/trees[like Canna Indica (or) "kalvazhai" in Tamil] to grow  near that borewell, which can absorb the salinity of the soil present in that area, so that the salinity of the borewell-water may come down below  some 2000 ppm?


B.Chandrasekar, Scientific Officer, Dept.of Atomic Energy, GOVT.OF INDIA,
Kalpakkam 603102, Chennai.   
E-mail: bcskal@rediffmail.com--Mobile:+91-94446 64552(Chennai)

by
7 August 2009