PROJECT REPORT

ON

ASSESSMENT OF IRRIGATION WATER

QUALITY OF GHAGGAR RIVER

SUBMITTED TO SUBMITTED BY

DR. SIBY JOHN ABHISHEK KOUL

PROFESSOR 13201001

ENVIRONMENTAL ENGG M.E ENVIRONMENTAL ENGG

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1. Introduction

India is rich in water resources being endowed with a network of rivers that can

meet a variety of water requirements of the country. However, with the rapid

increase in the population of the country and the need to meet the increasing

demands of irrigation, human and industrial consumption, the available water

resources are getting depleted and the water quality has deteriorated. Indian rivers

are polluted due to the discharge of untreated sewage and industrial effluents. It can

be said that no water is pure or clean owing to the presence of some quantities of

gases, minerals and life. However, for all practical purposes, pure water is considered

to be that which has low dissolved or suspended solids and obnoxious gases as well

as low in biological life. Such high quality of water may be required only for drinking

purposes while for other uses like agriculture and industry, the quality of water can

be quite flexible and water polluted up to certain extent in general sense can be

regarded as pure.

Agriculture is a major sector in the economic development of India, as it is the source

of livelihood for majority of population. The Ghaggar, a major river of Haryana

originates from the Siwalik Hills of Himachal Pradesh and Haryana. During its journey,

a number of streams, streamlets, drains and tributaries debouch their load into the

Ghaggar. The river has a total stretch of about 291 km with a catchment area of

42,200 sq. km.

For the purpose of assessment of suitability of water for the irrigation purposes,

different properties were considered in accordance with IS: 11624-1986 (Guidelines

for the Quality of Irrigation Water).

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2. Methodology

For analysis, water samples were collected from two locations near Sector 25 and 26,

Panchkula. At the time of sampling, the containers were thoroughly rinsed two to

three times with water to be sampled. Then the samples were collected by dipping

the containers in the flowing water.

The parameters which are to be assessed are Sodium Adsorption Ratio, Residual

Sodium carbonate and Electrical Conductivity.

Sodium Adsorption Ratio

Excess sodium in waters produces the undesirable effects of changing soil properties

and reducing soil permeability. Hence the assessment of sodium concentration is

necessary while considering the suitability for irrigation. The degree to which

irrigation water tends to enter into cation-exchange reactions in soil can be indicated

by the sodium adsorption ratio. Sodium replacing adsorbed calcium and magnesium

is a hazard as it causes damage to the soil structure. It becomes compact and

impervious. SAR is an important parameter for the determination of suitability of

irrigation water because it is responsible for the sodium hazard. The waters were

classified in relation to irrigation based in the ranges of SAR values.

It is calculated from following formula:

= Na

Ca +Mg2

Where SAR = Sodium Adsorption Ratio

Na+ = Sodium ion concentration, meq/l

Ca2+

= Calcium ion concentration, meq/l

Mg2+

= Magnesium ion concentration, meq/l

In relation to hazardous effects of SAR, the irrigation water quality rating is given as

S.No Class SAR Range

1. Excellent Below 10

2. Very Good 10-18

3. Good 18-26

4. Poor Above 26

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Residual Sodium Carbonate

Residual sodium carbonate (RSC) of irrigation water is used to indicate the alkalinity

hazard of soil. The concentration of bicarbonate and carbonate also influences the

suitability of water for irrigation purpose. One of the empirical approaches is based

on the assumption that all Ca2+

and Mg2+

precipitate as carbonate. The water with

high RSC has high pH and land irrigated with such water becomes infertile owing to

deposition of sodium carbonate; as known from black colour of the soil.

RSC is determined by the equation:

RSC = (CO32-

+ HCO3-) (Ca

2+ + Mg

2+)

Where RSC = Residual Sodium Carbonate, meq/l

CO32-

= Sodium ion concentration, meq/l

HCO3- = Calcium ion concentration, meq/l

Ca2+

= Calcium ion concentration, meq/l

Mg2+

= Magnesium ion concentration, meq/l

In relation to hazardous effects of RSC, the irrigation water quality rating is given as

S.No Class RSC Range

1. Excellent Below 1.5

2. Very Good 1.5-3.0

3. Good 3.0-6.0

4. Poor Above 6.0

Electrical Conductivity

The most influential water quality guideline on crop productivity is the water salinity

hazard as measured by electrical conductivity (EC). The primary effect of high EC

water on crop productivity is the inability of the plant to compete with ions in the soil

solution for water (physiological drought). The higher the EC, the less water is

available to plants, even though the soil may appear wet. Because plants can only

transpire "pure" water, usable plant water in the soil solution decreases dramatically

as EC increases.

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In relation to hazardous effects of EC, the irrigation water quality rating is given as

S.No Class EC Range

1. Excellent Below 1500

2. Very Good 1500-3000

3. Good 3000-6000

4. Poor Above 6000

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3. Experiment Performed

While performing experiment, following parameters were calculated

Ca2+

concentration

For detection of Ca2+

, EDTA titrimetric method was used. 50 ml sample was taken

and titrated with standard EDTA solution (0.01M). NaOH was added to produce a

pH of 12 to 13 and Murexide was used as indicator. Titration is stopped when

there is color change.

Calculation:

mgCa/L = AXBX400.8mlsample

Calcium hardness as mg CaCO3/L = AXBX1000mlsample

Where A= ml titrant for sample

B = mg CaCO3 equivalent to 1 mL EDTA titrant

Mg2+

concentration

It can be detected by calculation method as

mg Mg/L = {Total hardness (as mg CaCO3/L)

calcium hardness (as mg CaCO3/L)} X 0.243

Total hardness of the sample is calculated by titrating it with standard EDTA

solution, using Erichrome Black T as indicator and Ammonia buffer to bring pH to

11.0.

Total hardness as mg CaCO3/L = AXBX1000mlsample

Where A= ml titrant for sample

B = mg CaCO3 equivalent to 1 mL EDTA titrant

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CO32-

and HCO3- concentration

Standard procedure for measurement of Alkalinity is used for measurement of

CO32-

and HCO32-

concentration. N/50 sulphuric acid is used as titrant.

Phenolphthalein and Methyl Orange are used as indicators. First add 3-4 drops of

phenolphthalein to sample. If no color appears, phenolphthalein alkalinity is

absent. If color changes to pink, titrate it till it disappears. Record the ml used (as

P).

Add one drop of Methyl Orange to titrated mixture and retitrate it until color

changes from yellow to orangish-red. Record the ml used (as T).

Phenolphthalein alkalinity

= P X 1000

ml sample

Total alkalinity

= T X 1000

ml sample

If P=0, total alkalinity due to bicarbonates

If P

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Calculations

Alkalinity

Phenolphthalein alkalinity was absent, therefore total alkalinity is due to

bicarbonates only.

Location Total Alkalinity (mean) HCO3- (mg/L) HCO3

- (meq/L)

1. 147.3 147.3 2.41

2. 151.0 151 2.47

Total hardness

Location Total hardness (mean) as mg CaCO3/L

1. 198

2. 199.3

Ca2+

concentration

Location mg Ca/L As mg CaCO3/L meq Ca/L

1. 43.0 107.3 2.15

2. 43.2 108.0 2.16

Mg2+

concentration

Location mg Mg/L meq Mg/L

1. 43.0 2.15

2. 43.2 2.16

Na+ concentration

Na+ concentration value is taken from previous studies. It is 76.3 mg/L, which

is equivalent to 3.3 meq/L.

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EC value

Since conductivity meter was not available, the EC value is taken from

previous studies and is 807.52 mhos/cm.

Sodium Adsorption Ratio

Location SAR

1. 2.3

2. 2.3

Residual Sodium Carbonate

Location RSC

1. -1.57

2. -1.56

4. Results

From calculations it is observed that the SAR value is 2.3, which shows that

the water is excellent for irrigation purposes.

The value of RSC is -1.56, which also indicates that water is excellent for

irrigation purposes.

The value of EC as taken from previous studies is 807.52, which is excellent

Hence, the overall quality of water is excellent and should be used for

irrigation purposes.

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References

1. IS: 11624-1986, Guidelines for the Quality of Irrigation Water

2. Standard Methods for Water and Wastewater treatment

3. Kundu Sukhdev, Assessment of Surface Water Quality for Drinking and

Irrigation Purposes: A Case Study of Ghaggar River System Surface Waters,

Bulletin of Environment, Pharmacology & Life Sciences Volume 1, Issue 2,

January 2012

4. Joshi, D.M., Kumar Alok, Agrawal Namita, Assessment of the irrigation water

quality of river Ganga in haridwar district, Rasayan J.Chem, Vol 2,No 2 (2009).

List of Contents

Topic Page No.

1. Introduction .........................................................................1

2. Methodology...................................................................2

3. Experiment Performed....................................5

4. Results.............................................................................8

References............................................................................9