Evaluation of Seasonal Variation in Groundwater Quality and its Suitability for Irrigation Purpose in Selected Blocks of Rupnagar District, Punjab, India

Tenzin Thakur, Madhuri S. Rishi, Prerna Sharma

Abstract: In the study area, groundwater is highly exploited by over ion for irrigation. Agriculture is the main source of income of the area and irrigation is mainly done using groundwater. Considering the present scenario of the district, it was found significant to assess the seasonal variation of groundwater quality and suitability for irrigation purpose.60 groundwater samples were collected and analyzed for both pre and post monsoon seasons. Analytical results show that in few sample salinity was above the desirable limit prescribed by Bureau of Indian Standard. Depth to water level in the study area ranges from 5 to 40 mbgl, whereas, Chamkaur Sahib and Morinda Blocks fall in the over-exploited category with groundwater development being more than 100 %. The suitability of the groundwater for agricultural use in the study area has been assessed using USSL classification, RSC, %Na, SAR, and PI. An evaluation is made in present study to determine any change in the quality of groundwater due to seasonal variation in the study area.

Keywords: Groundwater Quality, Irrigation, SAR, USSL Classification, RSC, %Na, PI