A0550108

IOSR Journal of Mechanical and Civil Engineering (IOSR-JMCE)
e-ISSN: 2278-1684 Volume 5, Issue 5 (Mar. - Apr. 2013), PP 01-08
www.iosrjournals.org

“Effect Of Polluted Surface Water On Groundwater: A Case
Study Of Budha Nullah”
Gursimran Singh1 , Dapinder Deep Singh2, Prof. S.K.Sharma3
1, 2
ME Student, Department of Environmental Engineering, PEC University of Technology, Chandigarh. 3
Associate Professor, Department of Environmental Engineering, PEC University of Technology, Chandigarh

Abstract: Groundwater is one of the most important natural resources. It is a major source of fresh drinking
water in both the rural and urban regions. The groundwater quality, however in recent time has got
deteriorated due to the percolation of polluted water in to the soils from the wastewater drains, polluted rivers
and ponds. As a result its quality has not remained potable in many parts of the country. Contaminated
groundwater of Mettupalayam Taluk in Tamil Nadu, Amravati River Basin of Karur District, Tamil Nadu,
Eastern Uttar Pradesh are some of the example. Therefore, the evaluation of water quality of the rivers,
groundwater and impact of polluted groundwater on environment and health has drawn attention of the
researchers. The present thesis is also an attempt on such study. The pollution level of Budha Nullah water and
its effect on groundwater and vicinity area have been studied in the present paper. Total eleven groundwater
samples, seven Budha Nullah samples and five soil samples were collected from different locations within 6 km
stretch of Budha Nullah and its adjoining areas. The samples of the different points were collected from
handpumps and tubewells, the water from which is used for drinking and other purposes.
All the quality parameters of these samples were analyzed using standard methods prescribed in
“Standard methods for examination of water and wastewater” (18 TH edition). It was observed that pH of all the
collected samples was within permissible limit of 6.5-8.5. The surface water analysis of Budha Nullah reveals
high values of Total Dissolved solids up to 1642 mg/L, chlorides up to 400 mg/L, Chemical Oxygen Demand
values up to 448mg/L, Biochemical Oxygen Demand varying between 52-195 mg/L, Most Potable Number
varying from 240+ upto 2400+ per 100ml, heavy metal like Cr in the Budha Nullah has value 0.031 mg/L, Fe
0.913 mg/L, Mn 0.043 mg/L and Ni 0.222 mg/L. The quality of ground water at many places was found to be
unfit for drinking mainly due to high amount of total dissolved solids and most potable number being much
higher than the prescribed limit as per ISO 10500 standards. SAR of soil ranges from 3.78 to 6.98 mg/kg, which
is optimum value for soil, as soils with SAR value less than 10 are considered good for leaching and water
percolation. The reason behind the presence of other form of impurities and heavy metals in the ground water
could be due to presence of heavy metals in surface water of Budha Nullah and its seepage in the adjacent
groundwater aquifers.

Objectives Of Study:
The rapid industrialization in Ludhiana, though contributed to economic development, has resulted in
heavy losses to economic welfare in terms of effects on agricultural activities, human health and ecosystem at
large through air and water pollution. Solid and liquid wastes emanating from the industrial activities are the
inevitable by-products of manufacturing process. These wastes contain toxic chemicals such as Chromium salts,
sulfides and other substances including heavy toxic trace metals. These materials enter the surface water and
subsurface aquifers resulting in water pollution. The town which earned the name of Manchester of Punjab
landed into dubious distinction of being one of the most polluted human settlements in the country (G.S Gill et
al.,1997). Similarly industries located in Mettupalayam taluk, Tamilnadu dispose their effluents on land, and the
farmers of the adjacent farmlands have complained that their shallow open wells get polluted and also the salt
content of soil has started building up slowly. Study found that continuous disposal of industrial effluents on
land, which has limited capacity to assimilate the pollution load, has led to groundwater pollution (Mukherjee at
el., 2006).
In this dissertation an attempt has been made to study the water quality of the Budha Nullah and
groundwater. Grab sampling was done from the different locations through the 12 km stretch of Budha Nullah
in the Ludhiana city .

The Main Objectives Of The Study Are :
1) To analyze the physico-chemical parameters, biological parameters.
2) To examine Heavy metal in the surface and groundwater samples.
3) To examine heavy metals in the soil samples

www.iosrjournals.org 1 | Page

“Effect Of Polluted Surface Water On Groundwater: A Case Study Of Budha Nullah”

Significance Of The Study:
Water is an absolute necessity for life. Water bodies may host harmful biological and chemical agents
that impact the health of the humans. There exist a strong correlation between waterborne biological agents and
human disease. In my study, various physico-chemical, biological and heavy metal analysis studies are done to
check the groundwater and surface quality and analysis of heavy metals in soils is done. For effective protection,
setting of abatement strategy and successive revitalization of ecosystems it is necessary to know the ecological
quality of surface and groundwater. Protecting of water resources is of paramount importance thus assessing the
water quality after regular intervals is necessary for the decision makers to take remedial actions and to solve the
problem well in time.

I. Introduction
Groundwater is one of the prime sources of fresh water. It is an important source of drinking water for
the world’s population. In 21st century our natural water resources have been used unconsciously which leads to
it’s over exploitation. Water pollution is increasing steadily due to rapid population growth, industrial
proliferations, urbanizations, increasing living standards and wide spheres of human activities.
Ground water contamination is generally irreversible i.e. once it is contaminated; it is difficult to
restore the original water quality of the aquifer. Excessive mineralization of groundwater degrades its quality
and produces an objectionable taste, odour and excessive hardness. Although the soil mantle through which
water passes acts as an adsorbent retaining a large part of colloidal and soluble ions with its cation exchange
capacity, but ground water is not completely free from the menace of chronic pollution. Therefore, it is always
better to protect ground water in the first place rather than relying on technology to clean up contaminated water
at a later stage.
India is developing country which means infrastructure sector is growing on at a much higher rate, leads to the
development of core industries like metals, chemicals, fertilizers, drugs and petroleum etc and other industries
such as plastics, pesticides, detergents, solvents, paints, dyes, and food disposed their effluents and emissions on
land and water bodies and polluting our environment. The disposal of solid and liquid wastes containing heavy
metals like lead, nickel, chromium, molybdenum, and mercury in to the ecosystem, leads to heavy metal
contamination of our natural habitat (i.e. soil, water and air ecosystems).

Budha Nullah:
It runs parallel to Sutlej, on its south for fairly large section of its course in the district and ultimately
joins Sutlej at Gorsian Kadar Baksh in the north western corner of the district. Ludhiana and Machhiwara are
situated to the south of the Budha Nullah. The water of the stream becomes polluted after it enters Ludhiana
City. With the industrialization/ urbanization of the area, Budha Nullah has become the sullage/ sewage as well
as industrial effluent carrier for the Ludhiana city leading to River Sutlej.

II. Materials And Method
Location of sampling source:
Water samples were collected from Budha Nullah and its vicinity in Ludhiana. For the purpose of water
collection site has been divided into two parts.
1) Budha Nullah
2) Vicinity area of Budha Nullah (within 500m perpendicular distance)
3) Area away from Budha Nullah ( > 500m perpendicular distance from) Budha Nullah

TABLE: Site details of water quality sampling stations of 6 km stretch from starting point of Budha
Nullah
Sample no. Source Location Distance from
Budha nullah
(m) approx.
1 Tubewell Opp treatment plant, Jamalpur 10-20
2 Budha Nullah Tajpur road (Near Gurjit Public School) -
3 Handpump Tajpur Bhonian link road 50-60
4 Budha Nullah Mohar Singh Nagar -
5 Tubewell Residential area, 3 no gali, Mohar Singh Nagar 30-40
6 Budha Nullah 48 MLD STP, Jamalpur -
7 Tubewell STP, Jamalpur 10-20
8 Budha Nullah Near Chand Cinema, Tajpur road. -
9 Budha Nullah Near Old Sabji Mandi, Tajpur Road -
10 Tubewell Near Old Sabji Mandi, Tajpur Road 15-25



11 Budha Nullah gaushala road -
12 Budha Nullah near mehak telecom, gaushala road -
13 Tubewell near mehak telecom, gaushala road 40-50
14 Handpump Near cremation ground, gaushala road 400-450
15 Tubewell Near rahon road 400-450
16 Tubewell jain nagar 200-250
17 Handpump jain nagar 250-300
18 Tubewell near chand cinema, clock tower road 900-1000
19 Tubewell Residential Area, Upkaar Nagar. 20-30
20 Budha Nullah Near Sanatan Vidya Mandir. -
21 Tubewell Near Sanatan Vidya Mandir. 40-50
22 Tubewell Residential Area,Joshi Nagar. 30-40
23 Tubewell Residential Area,Joshi Nagar. 20-30
24 Hand pump Near Haibowal Khurd Road. 30-40
25 Budha Nullah Near joshi Nagar -
26 Tubewell Near Lord Mahavir Hospital,Haibowal. 40-50
27 Tubewell Haibowal. 20-30
28 Budha Nullah Near Haibowal. -
29 Tubewell Haibowal . 20-30
30 Hand pump Village Churpur. 40-50
31 Tubewell Kulbir Singh Dairy, 50-60
Village Churpur.
32 Budha Nullah Near 152 MLD STP, Balloke. -
33 Tubewell 152 MLD STP, Balloke. 450-500
34 Tubewell Green Avenue,Churpur. 600-700
35 Budha Nullah Near Village, Churpur. -

Site Locations on Map

Figure 3.1



Pollution Parameters Analyzed
Various impurities present in water are expressed through pollution parameters. These are broadly classified into
three categories namely:
1) Physico-chemical parameters:
The parameters analyzed in this study were pH, color, Total hardness as CaCO 3, chlorides, Total Dissolved
Solids, Alkalinity and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD).
2) Biological parameters:
The biological parameters analyzed in present study included Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Most
Probable Number (MPN).
3) Heavy metal testing:
The heavy metals analyzed were Arsenic, Boron, Calcium, Cadmium, Chromium, Copper, Iron, Lead,
Potassium, Magnesium, Manganese, Phosphorous, Sulphur Sodium, Nickel and Zinc.

Analytical methods and equipments used in the study
S. No Parameter Method Instrument/Equip-ment
1 pH Electrometric pH meter
2 color Electrometric (Pt-Co scale) DR 2800 HACH
3 Total hardness as CaCO3 EDTA titrimetry method Titrimetry
4 Chlorides Argentometric method Titrimetry
5 Total Dissolved Solids Gravimetry method Oven
6 Alkalinity Potentiometric titration Titrimetry
7 Chemical Oxygen Demand Digestion followed by titration COD digestor
8 Biochemical Oxygen Demand 5 days incubation followed by BOD incubator
titration
9 Most Probable Number Coliform MPN Bacteriological
Incubator, autoclave,
laminar flow
10 Arsenic, Boron, Calcium, Cadmium, Inductively Coupled Plasma method ICAP-AES
Chromium, Copper, Iron, Potassium,
Magnesium, Manganese, Sodium,
Nickel, Zinc
Where
ICAP-AES = Inductively Coupled Argon Plasma – Atomic Emission Spectrometry



Table showing results of water samples
S.No. PARAMETERS IS10500:1991 COMPARISION RESULT
DESIRABLE
LIMIT
1 pH 6.5 – 8.5 All samples are within range
2 Chlorides 250 mg/L Sample 2, 4, 6 ,8, 9, 11, 12, 17, 18, 20, 25, 28,32 and 35
have chloride content greater than desirable limit
3 Alkalinity 200 mg/L All the samples have value lower than desirable limit
4 Biochemical Oxygen 0 mg/L BOD is present in all the samples
Demand (BOD)
5 Chemical Oxygen 0 mg/L COD is present in all the samples
Demand (COD
6 Total dissolved solids 500 mg/L Sample 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 17, 20,25,28,32 and 35
have TDS greater than desirable limit
7 MPN 10 per 100ml All the samples haveMPN values greater than desirable
limit
8 Arsenic 0.05 mg/L All samples have value lower than desirable limit
9 Boron 1 mg/L All samples have value lower than desirable limit
10 Calcium 75 mg/L All samples have value lower than desirable limit
11 Cadmium 0.01 mg/L All samples have value lower than desirable limit
12 Cobalt
13 Chromium 0.05 mg/L Sample 25, 26, 30, 33 and 34 have value greater than
desirable limit
14 Copper 0.05 mg/L Sample 4, 21, 24, 29 and 30 have value greater than
desirable limit
15 Iron 0.30 mg/L Sample 4, 7, 8 ,9, 11, 12, 17, 20, 25, 28, 32 and 35 have
value greater than desirable limit
16 Potassium
17 Magnesium 30 mg/L All samples have value lower than desirable limit
18 Manganese 0.1mg/L Sample 3 and 26 have value greater than desirable limit
19 Sodium
20 Nickel 0.02 mg/L Sample 11, 17, 23, 25, 32 and 35 have value greater
than desirable limit
21 Phosphorous
22 Lead 0.05 mg/L All samples have value lower than desirable limit
23 Sulphur
24 Zinc 5mg/L All samples have value lower than desirable limit

SOIL QUALITY ANALYSIS: Materials and methodology
Location of sampling source:
Soil samples were collected from vicinity of Budha Nullah in Ludhiana. For the purpose of water collection site
has been divided into two parts.
1) Vicinity area of Budha Nullah (within 500m perpendicular distance)
2) Area away from Budha Nullah ( > 500m perpendicular distance from) Budha Nullah

TABLE: Site details of soil sampling stations
Sample no. Location Distance from
Budha Nullah (m)
approx.
1 Opp treatment plant, Jamalpur 500-550
2 Near Old SabjiMandi 5-10
3 Gaushala Road 40-50
4 Rahon Road 100-150
5 Jain Nagar 600-650
6 Upkaar nagar 30-40
7 Joshi nagar 40-50
8 Haibowal 40-50
9 Green Avenue, Churpur 600-700
10 Near 152 MLD STP, Balloke 50-60



Site location on map

Figure

Table: Results of soil samples
S.No. PARAMETERS RANGE OF METALS PRESENT IN ALL
SAMPLES (mg/L)
1 Arsenic Lies between 0.007-0.014
2 Boron Lies between 0.088-0.179
3 Calcium Lies between 298.2-508.4
4 Cadmium Lies between 0.004-0.144
5 Chromium Lies between 0.005-0.021
6 Copper Lies between 0.358-11.484
7 Iron Lies between 2.447-6.584
8 Potassium Lies between 10.46-28.32
9 Magnesium Lies between 47.2-108.9
10 Manganese Lies between 2.72-5.24
11 Nickel Lies between 0.014-8.746
12 Phosphorous Lies between 0.043-1.541
13 Lead Lies between 0.354-3.864
14 Sulphur Lies between 8.43-89.14
15 Zinc Lies between 0.583-36.02
16 Sodium Lies between 49.4-156.4



SAR VALUES OF SOIL SAMPLES
SOIL SAMPLE SAR VALUE

1. 6.98
2. 3.78
3. 6.03
4. 5.26
5. 5.12
6 7.12
7. 3.35
8. 9.57
9. 9.22
10. 4.54

III. Conclusions And Recommendations
Conclusion:
1) The quality of the surface water at different stretches of Budha Nullah has been impaired as the stream
progresses through the city. Untreated waste from the industries and human settlements are found to be the
major cause for deterioration in the water quality in Ludhiana. The surface water analysis of Budha Nullah
reveals high values of Total Dissolved solids up to 1642 mg/L, chlorides up to 400 mg/L, Chemical Oxygen
Demand values up to 448mg/L, Biochemical Oxygen Demand varying between 52-195 mg/L, Most Potable
Number varying from 240+ upto 2400+ per 100ml, heavy metal like Cr in the Budha Nullah has value
0.084 mg/L, Fe 0.913 mg/L, Mn 0.095 mg/L and Ni 0.222 mg/L. As per the water quality criteria given by
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the water quality of Budha Nullah comes under E class of water
which is not suitable for drinking, outdoor bathing, propagation of wildlife and fisheries, irrigation and
industrial cooling.
2) Most of the Heavy metals were within permissible limit except iron which was found to be more than
permissible limit in samples of the Budha Nullah as well as groundwater
3) The quality of ground water at many places was found to be unfit for drinking mainly due to high amount of
total dissolved solids and most potable number being much higher than the prescribed limit under CPCB.
4) Heavy metals were found in samples of groundwater in the vicinity of Budha Nullah and their concentration
decreases as we move away from the Budha Nullah. So it can be concluded that presence of heavy metals in
groundwater is due to seepage of surface water of Budha Nullah into the aquifer.
5) BOD values of groundwater was also high ranging from 2 to 12 due to which it falls under category E i.e. it
is unfit for human consumption but can be used for irrigational purposes.
6) pH parameter analyzed in ground water samples as well as Budha Nullah were within the range of IS:10500
Drinking Water Standards between 6.5-8.5.
7) Amount of calcium in soil ranges from 298.2 to 508.4 mg/kg, sulphur from 8.43 to 89.14 mg/kg, nickel
ranges from 0.076 to as high as 8.746 mg/kg.
8) SAR of soil ranges from 3.35 to 9.57 mg/kg, which is optimum value for soil, as soils with SAR value less
than 10 are considered good for leaching and water percolation.

Overall Comment On Water Quality Assessment
Surface water of Ludhiana is highly contaminated by the effluents released by the industries and
sewage which is added by the human settlements. This is the main reason for the heavy metals contamination
and presence of microbes in the surface water.
Surface water of Budha Nullah is highly colored, the main reason for this is the colored effluents that
are released particularly by the textile industries.
Dumping of the garbage into the water also obstructs the flow of this Nullah due to which at many
places the water is Stagnant which hinders the self –purification mechanism of water and is one of the major
factors for the occurrence of diseases like malaria, jaundice, cholera, diarrhea and gastroenteritis. Callousness
approach of the people in the city has rendered the surface water of Budha Nullah to come under E class of
water, which cannot be used for drinking, outdoor bathing, propagation of wildlife and fisheries, irrigation and
industrial cooling.
Heavy metal analysis of all the ground water samples is within the desirable limit.
MPN values are high in the ground water, which indicates microbial contamination of water.

Recommendations For Water Quality Assessment
Regular monitoring of the water should be done.


The results of the analysis of water should be published for the purpose of record and benefit of public.
Strict laws should be imposed on the industries which release their effluents directly into the water.
Regular monitoring of small scale industries which are also a major contributor for polluting the surface water
and ultimately contaminates the ground water.
Educating the people about the various problems specially the labour class that works in industries will also help
to clean the environment as the best way to manage the environment, is to manage ourselves.

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