Correlation between Drinking Water Quality and Health Risks in Chickballapur and Bagepalli Taluks of Chickballapur District

Abstract

The primary objective of this research was to assess the groundwater quality in the Chickballapura and Bagepalli taluks of Karnataka state in the years 2020 and 2021 and investigate potential health hazards associated with fluoride and nitrate contaminants. Sampling was conducted biannually, during both pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. Water quality parameters were utilized to calculate the Water Quality Index (WQI), with spatial variations and associated health risks plotted using ArcGIS. Also, correlation between health conditions and water quality were studied. Additionally, the Hazard Quotient and Total Hazard Index calculation method was employed to evaluate non-carcinogenic risks for individuals across different age categories, including men, women, and children. Parameters such as pH, EC, turbidity, TDS, TH, TA, HCO3, Ca, Mg, Cl, NO3, SO4, Na, K, F, Fe and MPN were analyzed to determine suitability for drinking as per BIS 10500:2012. newlineIn the year 2020, during both pre-monsoon and post-monsoon, 129 samples (including those from 22 Gram Panchayats) and 41 samples were collected from Chickballapura taluk rural (CBR) and Chickballapura taluk urban (CBU) respectively. In CBU 2020, TDS, TH, F, Cl, Ca, and Mg exceeded BIS acceptable limits in both pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons, with a higher percentage of samples exceeding safe limits in the post-monsoon season. Similarly, in CBR during 2020, TDS, TH, TA, F, Ca, Cl, NO3 and Mg values surpassed allowable limits in both pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons, with a higher percentage of samples exceeding safe limits in the post-monsoon season. newlineIn 2020, during both pre-monsoon and post-monsoon, 184 samples (including those from 24 Gram Panchayats) and 29 samples were collected from Bagepalli taluk rural (BGR) and Bagepalli taluk urban (BGU) respectively. In Bagepalli urban 2020, TDS, TA, TH, F, Cl, NO3, Ca, and Mg exceeded acceptable limits in both pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons, with a higher percentage of samples exceeding safe limits in the pre-mon