
Groundwater quality in Chhindwara block has been studied with special reference to the presence of fluoride. Fluoride, above the guideline value of WHO, has been found in groundwater of the study area. This high fluoride concentration shows some type of correlation with other ionic constituents present in the ground water. The fluoride contents have positive correlation with Na+, K+ and depth of source, and negative correlation with Mg+2, Ca+2, total alkalinity and total hardness. Fluoride does not show any type of correlation with Cl-, NO3-, and SO42-. A few of the samples showed high nitrate contents. The sources of fluoride and nitrate are suspected to be minerals from the Precambrian granite, which forms the basement of the Chhindwara block and also outcrops at several places.