Evaluation of water quality of local streams and baitarani river in joda area of odisha, India

Levels of various physico-chemical parameters along with coliform cell units were determined for thirteen water samples in pre-monsoon, monsoon and post- monsoon periods between March-2011 to Feb-2012 to assess the water quality of three local streams and Baitarani river in Joda area of Keonjhar district. Most of the parameters were of maximum value in post-monsoon period. The samples were acidic in post-monsoon period where as slightly acidic to alkaline in other periods. The pH, EC, TDS, TH, the major cations and anions in all samples and DO values in most of the samples were well within the BIS and WHO limits. But turbidity, TSS, total and faecal coliform units and in some cases BOD values were beyond the limits indicating contaminated water bodies. Fe and Cr contributed a lot for high value of WQI. WQI value ranged from 96 to 359 infers poor to very poor quality of water and the sample from Dalko Nala(S8) was found to be unsuitable for drinking and bathing purpose. The overall water quality assessment indicates proper treatment of river/stream water for public consumption. The possible sources of contamination are weathering of rocks, soil erosion, extensive mining operations and anthropogenic activities. TDS, SAR, Na%, RSC values indicated good quality of water samples for irrigation.